Department Summary 

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is a specialized center within the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) at University of Denver, which elevates the relationships between people, other animals, and the environment to improve the health and welfare of all. IHAC operationalizes our mission through innovation in education and research.

IHAC has effectively trained practitioners in ethical, evidence-based human-animal interactions since 2006. Our signature suite of professional development programs (IHACPro) provides comprehensive education, training, and expert feedback for students to integrate animals and other nature-based modalities into their practice. First of their kind in the world, these university-based programs operate at the highest standards of competency and best practice. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for these courses are granted on official University of Denver transcripts. IHACPro is managed in direct accordance with the mission and values of the Institute and offers top-notch education and instruction for students from around the world. Learn more about IHACPro here: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/education-about-human-animal-interactions

Position Summary

IHAC is currently seeking Adjunct Instructors to teach in our Humane Education Practitioner continuing education certificate (CHEP). This certificate program of IHAC began in 2017 and has trained over 40 students to date. The CHEP course progression includes three online classes and one virtual Capstone session. The four courses available for adjunct instructors to teach are: Introduction to Humane Education, Humane Pedagogy, Humane Education Program Design, and the CHEP Capstone Session. Adjunct instructors in the CHEP certificate program teaching pool can expect to teach between 1-2 courses per year, on a per-contract basis. In addition, adjunct instructors in this program are invited to attend bi-monthly IHACPro instructor meetings via Zoom, professional development trainings hosted by the University of Denver and other events hosted by IHAC, and have access to the DU library and resources. These positions are directly supervised and managed by the IHAC Assistant Director of Professional Programs.

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denver’s policies and procedures, principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare assigned course offerings on the Canvas learning management system platform, with completion two weeks prior to the course start date.
• Update syllabus, due dates, and other materials as needed.
• Grade and provide written feedback for students on all course assignments.
• Record and post weekly videos that provide content and reflection for students.
• Host at least one, live Zoom session for student networking and support, per course.
• Communicate and resolve student issues in collaboration with the IHAC Assistant Director of Professional Programs and other staff/faculty, in a prompt manner. This may necessitate email, phone, or Zoom communication.
• Submit final grades to the IHAC Assistant Director of Professional Programs and IHAC Coordinator, within 2 weeks of each course end date.
• Participate as an effective team member by contributing ideas, encouraging others, supporting and implementing team decisions, and making recommendations for new, relevant readings, videos and/or research studies for course material inclusion.

Qualifications 

• Required
• 2+ years of experience teaching, with a preference for online education programming for adult learners. This can include facilitating trainings, supervision, mentorship, or other forms of non-classroom based teaching experience.
• 4+ years of relevant professional experience in the field of Humane Education. Two of these years can be substituted for education or experience that directly aligns with the field of comprehensive Humane Education (e.g. Experience in environmental education, experience in animal welfare work, experience in social justice work, education degree, Human-Animal-Environment Interactions in Social Work certificate, Humane Education degree or certificate).
• Commitment to building inclusive learning experiences for students from a variety of professions, cultures, languages, and environments.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort delivering content and facilitating meetings via Zoom, and videorecording presentations/lectures for students.
• Experience, comfort and skill with technological systems such as the Microsoft Office suite and digital conferencing systems (such as Zoom).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to represent IHAC by maintaining positive and respectful working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including DU and IHAC faculty and staff, students, field colleagues and other affiliates.
• Preferred
• 3+ years of experience teaching, with a preference for online education programming for adult learners.
• Experience with virtual learning management systems, such as Canvas.
• Advanced knowledge of teaching pedagogy and course design for adult learners in virtual formats.
• Demonstrated skills in creating inclusive learning experiences for students of various backgrounds.
• Current and ongoing professional experience in the field of Humane Education, Environmental Science, Human-Animal-Environment Interactions and/or Animal-Assisted Interventions.

Education, Certifications, or Formal Training:

Education Required:  Bachelor’s degree in social science, education, healthcare, environmental studies or other related field.

Education Preferred:  Master’s or Doctoral degree in social science, education, healthcare, environmental studies or other related field.

Working Environment:

• These positions are completed in a 100% virtual environment (with annual in-person meetings possible, post COVID-19 pandemic).
• Candidates must have access to reliable internet and a computer with a mic and camera that can access Canvas, email (office.com or desk version of Outlook), Microsoft apps and Zoom.

Salary Range

8 week courses = $3,000
6 week courses = $2,250
Capstone: 4 weeks plus 2 days live = $1,500

Rates may be prorated when multiple instructors share duties.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by Friday July 8th, 2022.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through https://www.du.edu/jobs/ to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• CV
• Please include narrative descriptions of:
• Your experience as a Humane Education professional;
• Your experience teaching and how it applies to this position;
• How you demonstrate a commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer.  The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see https://www.du.edu/equalopportunity/non-discrimination-statement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.