Summary
The Learning Design and Innovations Department at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) invites applications for an Educational Developer in a one-year limited-term contract, reporting to the Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. This is a faculty position that includes professional role and service to the university, profession and/or community.
The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) promotes engaged teaching practice and the scholarship of teaching and learning for all TRU faculty members. CELT collaborates with faculties and schools across the university to support the development of engaging pedagogies through innovative professional development, personalized consulting and supportive educational leadership. Our programs are designed to facilitate a teaching culture that improves student learning, successful transitions, and learner retention.
The successful applicant to this role will have post-secondary teaching experience, rich knowledge of educational philosophies, and experience supporting colleagues in reflecting on, and enhancing their own teaching practices. They will work within the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
DUTIES
Position Summary: Working within CELT, the purpose of the Educational Developer position is to provide strategic leadership toward the enhancement of teaching, learning, and assessment, and to lead and collaborate on initiatives to strengthen and support pedagogical principles and practices in teaching and learning environments across TRU. The Educational Developer: Williams Lake and Regional Centres will provide CELT services in-person at Williams Lake and to the Regional Centres, and remote services to the Kamloops campus.
General Summary of Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities: Supporting and facilitating change and growth in teaching and learning environments, developing and maintaining positive relationships, and demonstrating active engagement in personal and professional growth through the work. They will work closely with faculty towards teaching design solutions, providing supportive and constructive feedback, and creatively engaging in curriculum and program design. The faculty member will work collaboratively with colleagues in CELT, and with faculty, departments, and administrative units across TRU’s campuses and provide guidance and constructive feedback to instructors.
Responsibilities may include:
- Actively supporting faculty members and departments in developing effective and innovative pedagogical practices through formal and informal individual and group consultations, communities of practice, and/or by offering workshops and other events and programs in alignment with CELT’s strategic plan and other university plans.
- Collaborating with a variety of program offices and University-level working groups on policies and procedures related to teaching and learning for their respective programs.
- Supporting faculty familiarization with, and adoption of, the Senate approved definitions of scholarly teaching and scholarship of teaching and learning.
- Acting as a resource in emerging areas in post-secondary teaching and learning including helping faculty to document their professional practice and develop their professional portfolios.
- Collaboratively designing, promoting, and providing professional development opportunities for faculty, Open Learning faculty members.
- Contribute to and collaborate on relevant institutional initiatives such as learning outcomes, general education implementation, curriculum design, assessment, course evaluation and accreditation.
- Participating on committees where teaching and learning are relevant.
- Participate in CELT and departmental meetings and planning.
- Assisting in ensuring currency of TRU programming and compliance with Senate and University policies.
- Designing and coordinating relevant functions, activities, events, learning spaces, and resources.
- Supporting faculty and administrators on demonstrating and assessing scholarly teaching, and on producing and assessing scholarship of teaching and learning.
- Some travel is required (from Williams Lake to the Regional Centres and to Kamloops).
About TRU
Thompson Rivers University (www.tru.ca) is a uniquely comprehensive, student-focused institution that has provided excellent post-secondary education and training for over 50 years. TRU gives students the advantage of small class sizes, the availability of undergraduate research and a centrally located campus. More than 27,000 students’ study at TRU either on campus or online. They consist of 10 per cent Indigenous students and more than 30 per cent international students from around the globe.
Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúlucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.
TRU's main campus is located in Kamloops, BC (www.kamloops.ca), a prosperous city in the heart of the BC southern interior. TRU’s Williams Lake campus is located approximately three hours northwest of Kamloops, in the heart of the scenic Cariboo region, on T’exelc territory within the unceded traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation. Our small, friendly and close-knit campus community is located within the city of Williams Lake, BC, named in honor of Secwépemc Chief William. Here, you’ll enjoy a quiet and affordable lifestyle, with all the amenities of a larger centre, and with four seasons of spectacular outdoor adventures in your own beautiful backyard. (https://www.tru.ca/williamslake.html) Enjoy cultural events like Pow Wows, art walks, seasonal farmer’s and medieval markets, and activities put on by community groups such as the Williams Lake Film Club and the Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society.
What TRU Offers
The Educational Developer is an Instructional Support I faculty position. The salary range for this position is described within the TRUFA Collective Agreement (TS1 through TS12). Placement on the Salary Scale is in accordance with the Collective Agreement between TRU and TRU Faculty Association (TRUFA) with initial placement based on education and experience. This position offers an annual Professional Development Allowance, participation in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and 100% employer paid benefits, which include extended health & dental, sick leave and short term and long-term disability. (See www.TRUFA.ca for the collective agreement. Appendix A – Salary Schedules.)
Note: For an explanation of Educational Development and Educational Developer roles, please see “Educational Development: The Work of Teaching and Learning Centres,” an online resource compiled by Liesel Knaack at North Island College: https://teachanywhere.opened.ca/eddev/
This position is located in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
Review of applications will begin May 5, 2025.
Inquiries should be directed to the attention of:
Dr. Carol Sparkes, Appointments Committee Chair
Learning Design and Innovations Department
Open Learning, Thompson Rivers University
Email: csparkes@tru.ca
Thompson Rivers University is strongly committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, Black people and People of Colour, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations or gender identities. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
NOTE: To learn more about Thompson Rivers University or living in Kamloops or Williams Lake please visit our Careers website.
