Writer-in-Residence (English Department)

The English Department at Occidental College invites applications for a full-time three-year Writer-in-Residence position with expertise in Creative Writing to begin in the Fall of 2022. The three-year contract may be renewable pending evaluation. Applicants should be prepared to teach introductory and advanced creative writing classes in fiction. An additional ability to teach poetry, creative nonfiction, or graphic forms is desirable. Knowledge of the Los Angeles arts community would also be advantageous. This is a union non-tenure track position represented by the Service Employees International Union, local 721.

Summary of Duties

The successful candidate will teach five courses per year (across two semesters), play a key role in mentoring students interested in creative writing and publishing, and help organize creative writing programming in collaboration with other members of the English Department. The Writer-in-Residence will advise and mentor advanced creative writing students each academic year, including in the summer, and advise the undergraduate creative writing magazine (one issue per year). In regards to campus programming, they/he/she will help the department plan the Visiting Writers Series, which has previously featured writers including Anouar Benmalek, Joshua Bennett, Angela Flournoy, Rachel Kushner, Fady Joudah, David Marriott, Fred Moten, Chris Nealon, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Solmaz Sharif, and Jackie Wang.

For a description of Occidental College's English Department/Creative Writing Program and its course offerings, please visit https://www.oxy.edu/english

Required Qualifications

MFA or PhD in Creative Writing; or a terminal degree in a related field and relevant experience; or extensive publications with relevant teaching experience
Publications in print and/or online magazines or journals with national visibility
Experience teaching at the college or university level

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials by email to english_search@oxy.edu by November 1, 2021:

A cover letter detailing your professional/educational background and interest in teaching in the English Department/Creative Writing Program in a liberal arts college environment; 
A curriculum vitae; 
A statement of teaching philosophy that includes a discussion of your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable opportunities for learning and mentoring especially for underrepresented students;
A 20-page writing sample of creative work, including a one-page introduction and/or summary of additional projects;
Contact information for three references. Semifinalist applicants will be notified by December 15, 2021, and will also be requested to submit three (3) letters of recommendation.

**Interviews will take place via Zoom in mid/late January. 

Occidental is a small liberal arts college in the city of Los Angeles, and it is among the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the United States. The mission of Occidental College is to provide a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality--one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent, and pluralistic world. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who will further Occidental’s mission of excellence and equity in their teaching, scholarship, and service.

Occidental College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. 

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources (hr@oxy.edu).