Interim Director of Composition

Internal

Job Location:

Bellingham, MN - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 1028 - 1324

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Position Title	Interim Director of Composition
About the University	Western Washington University with over 15000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school is nationally recognized for its educational programs students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham Washington a coastal community of 90000 overlooking Bellingham Bay the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes Bremerton Everett Port Angeles and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes such as being named one of the top public masters-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success increasing our Washington impact and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship research and creative activity. Westerns greatest strength is the outstanding students faculty staff and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can pursuit of this excellence individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff faculty administration student and external constituents. Further individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic societal environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the Department	The English Department engages students in reflective reading creative inquiry critical analysis and effective expression. The study of literature writing film and visual media prepares graduates to pursue a variety of careers including law business government professional writing publishing and education. These students also prepare students for graduate programs. The Department of English offers four major emphases: literature literature with a teaching endorsement creative writing and creative writing with a teaching endorsement. All four programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts in English. English: Literature Emphasis focuses on the study of literature in historical and cultural contexts and includes course work in English language and literature literary and rhetorical theory creative writing and composition technical writing film and visual medial. English: Creative Writing Emphasis focuses on writing in fiction drama poetry and in nonfiction prose and it is complemented by courses in language and literature. We also offer two parallel degrees that include a teaching endorsement for those who wish to pursue teaching at the secondary level. The Department of English provides a dynamic intellectual environment and learning community. Faculty members introduce new genres fields and methods of critical inquiry and technologies to provide our students with the best possible education. The department offers small student-centered classes innovative pedagogy and close faculty-student interaction. English faculty members have earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching research and writing they are nationally and internationally recognized in creative and critical fields. Our students have amassed an impressive record of placement in graduate programs and professional positions. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the English Department support Westerns mission which states that together with our students staff and faculty we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women people of color people with disabilities veterans and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position	The English Department is hiring for an Interim Director of Composition. This is a part-time one-year interim position for the 2026-2027 academic year with potential for renewal. WWUs Interim Director of Composition (DoC) engages in three intersecting activities: 1. curriculum development; 2. ongoing teacher training; 3. the day-to-day oversight as it relates to our Graduate Programs. These three intersecting activities require the Interim DoC to work in tandem with the First Year Writing Program Director (FYWPD) and closely with both Graduate Faculty Coordinators (GFCs) to ground and support our Graduate Student Teachers (GTAs) academically professionally and pedagogically. The Interim DoC position requires and draws from specific disciplinary expertise and currency in multiple fields of study including Rhetorical Theory and Writing Studies Organizational Management The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning as well as Psychology and Sociology as they relate to habits of mind and the ways people learn. Such disciplinary expertise is precisely what gets bundled up into the field of First-Year Writing scholarship. Curriculum Development Each year working from established research in the field and in collaboration with the FYWPD the Interim DoC develops a full curriculum for ENG 101 instructors to this way the curriculum maintains ENG 101 as a First Year Writing program rather than a collection of individual classes. Building a coherent curriculum participates in the intellectual life of our overall graduate program structuring the ways our graduate students experience their academic role within our department and the university. Teacher Training Training new and returning ENG 101 teachers is ongoing and dynamic. The ENG 101 curriculum cannot stand on its own. The Interim DoC is responsible for training ENG 101 teachers to convert the programs written curriculum into specific classroom practices that support our First Year Writing students. The Interim DoC trains the GTAs in Comp Camp (our week-long orientation) weekly staff meetings our gradual level practicum (ENG 513) on teaching college level writing classes ENG 101 classroom observations and intense one-and-one support. Such training supports our graduate students in their professional development as teacher-scholars in our department. Oversight Working closely with the First Year Writing Program Director the Interim DoC monitors and supports the ways our graduate students engage in their teaching practice as MAs/MFAs in our program. This includes monitoring enrollments updating university Advising materials and engaging with university stakeholders such as the Registrar Writing Instructional Support First-Year Programs and the CHSS Deans office. As problems and possibilities surface that affect our graduate students teaching and the ENG 101 program the Interim DoC partners with the First Year Writing Program Director and GFCs to identify and quickly respond.
Required Qualifications	MA in Rhetoric & Composition or closely related field Experience directing a university first-year writing program Demonstrated interest in the field of rhetoric/composition and pedagogy Evidence of strong teaching in first-year college writing Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students faculty and staff
Preferred Qualifications	PhD in Rhetoric & Composition Demonstrated scholarly interest in the field of Writing Program Administration (WPA) Demonstrated interest and experience working with Universal Design principles as they relate to writing instruction and curriculum design. Familiarity with WWUs First-Year Writing Program
Conditions of Employment	All employees must comply with our Immunization policies including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary	$1028 - $1324 per credit 5 credits per quarter (fall winter and spring) commensurate with experience and qualifications (MA at the lower end of the range and MFA and PhD at the upper end of the range)
Benefits Information	Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions
Bargaining Unit	United Faculty of Western Washington
Application Instructions	A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications including your commitment to our English 101 learning environment and inclusive of diverse students and backgrounds. You may also be asked to provide contact information of three professional references.
Closing Date Notes	Position closes 06/22/2026 at 11:55 pm.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity compliance with applicable laws WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race ethnicity color national origin age citizenship or immigration status pregnancy use of protective leave genetic status sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression marital status creed religion veteran or military status disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law in its programs or activities including employment admissions and educational programs. See WWUs Policies onProhibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Classand Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance Title IX and ADA Coordinator Western Washington University Old Main 126 (MS 9021) 516 High Street Bellingham WA 98225;360.650.3307(voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation please contactHuman Resources Disability Services360.650.3751or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Westerns campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use crime prevention the reporting of crimes sexual assault and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at. The report can be found at:Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires which includes asexual misconduct background check.

Required Experience:

Director

Position TitleInterim Director of CompositionAbout the UniversityWestern Washington University with over 15000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school is nationally recognized for its educational programs students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham Washington a coastal commu...

Position Title	Interim Director of Composition
About the University	Western Washington University with over 15000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school is nationally recognized for its educational programs students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham Washington a coastal community of 90000 overlooking Bellingham Bay the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes Bremerton Everett Port Angeles and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes such as being named one of the top public masters-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success increasing our Washington impact and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship research and creative activity. Westerns greatest strength is the outstanding students faculty staff and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can pursuit of this excellence individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff faculty administration student and external constituents. Further individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic societal environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the Department	The English Department engages students in reflective reading creative inquiry critical analysis and effective expression. The study of literature writing film and visual media prepares graduates to pursue a variety of careers including law business government professional writing publishing and education. These students also prepare students for graduate programs. The Department of English offers four major emphases: literature literature with a teaching endorsement creative writing and creative writing with a teaching endorsement. All four programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts in English. English: Literature Emphasis focuses on the study of literature in historical and cultural contexts and includes course work in English language and literature literary and rhetorical theory creative writing and composition technical writing film and visual medial. English: Creative Writing Emphasis focuses on writing in fiction drama poetry and in nonfiction prose and it is complemented by courses in language and literature. We also offer two parallel degrees that include a teaching endorsement for those who wish to pursue teaching at the secondary level. The Department of English provides a dynamic intellectual environment and learning community. Faculty members introduce new genres fields and methods of critical inquiry and technologies to provide our students with the best possible education. The department offers small student-centered classes innovative pedagogy and close faculty-student interaction. English faculty members have earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching research and writing they are nationally and internationally recognized in creative and critical fields. Our students have amassed an impressive record of placement in graduate programs and professional positions. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the English Department support Westerns mission which states that together with our students staff and faculty we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women people of color people with disabilities veterans and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position	The English Department is hiring for an Interim Director of Composition. This is a part-time one-year interim position for the 2026-2027 academic year with potential for renewal. WWUs Interim Director of Composition (DoC) engages in three intersecting activities: 1. curriculum development; 2. ongoing teacher training; 3. the day-to-day oversight as it relates to our Graduate Programs. These three intersecting activities require the Interim DoC to work in tandem with the First Year Writing Program Director (FYWPD) and closely with both Graduate Faculty Coordinators (GFCs) to ground and support our Graduate Student Teachers (GTAs) academically professionally and pedagogically. The Interim DoC position requires and draws from specific disciplinary expertise and currency in multiple fields of study including Rhetorical Theory and Writing Studies Organizational Management The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning as well as Psychology and Sociology as they relate to habits of mind and the ways people learn. Such disciplinary expertise is precisely what gets bundled up into the field of First-Year Writing scholarship. Curriculum Development Each year working from established research in the field and in collaboration with the FYWPD the Interim DoC develops a full curriculum for ENG 101 instructors to this way the curriculum maintains ENG 101 as a First Year Writing program rather than a collection of individual classes. Building a coherent curriculum participates in the intellectual life of our overall graduate program structuring the ways our graduate students experience their academic role within our department and the university. Teacher Training Training new and returning ENG 101 teachers is ongoing and dynamic. The ENG 101 curriculum cannot stand on its own. The Interim DoC is responsible for training ENG 101 teachers to convert the programs written curriculum into specific classroom practices that support our First Year Writing students. The Interim DoC trains the GTAs in Comp Camp (our week-long orientation) weekly staff meetings our gradual level practicum (ENG 513) on teaching college level writing classes ENG 101 classroom observations and intense one-and-one support. Such training supports our graduate students in their professional development as teacher-scholars in our department. Oversight Working closely with the First Year Writing Program Director the Interim DoC monitors and supports the ways our graduate students engage in their teaching practice as MAs/MFAs in our program. This includes monitoring enrollments updating university Advising materials and engaging with university stakeholders such as the Registrar Writing Instructional Support First-Year Programs and the CHSS Deans office. As problems and possibilities surface that affect our graduate students teaching and the ENG 101 program the Interim DoC partners with the First Year Writing Program Director and GFCs to identify and quickly respond.
Required Qualifications	MA in Rhetoric & Composition or closely related field Experience directing a university first-year writing program Demonstrated interest in the field of rhetoric/composition and pedagogy Evidence of strong teaching in first-year college writing Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students faculty and staff
Preferred Qualifications	PhD in Rhetoric & Composition Demonstrated scholarly interest in the field of Writing Program Administration (WPA) Demonstrated interest and experience working with Universal Design principles as they relate to writing instruction and curriculum design. Familiarity with WWUs First-Year Writing Program
Conditions of Employment	All employees must comply with our Immunization policies including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary	$1028 - $1324 per credit 5 credits per quarter (fall winter and spring) commensurate with experience and qualifications (MA at the lower end of the range and MFA and PhD at the upper end of the range)
Benefits Information	Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions
Bargaining Unit	United Faculty of Western Washington
Application Instructions	A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications including your commitment to our English 101 learning environment and inclusive of diverse students and backgrounds. You may also be asked to provide contact information of three professional references.
Closing Date Notes	Position closes 06/22/2026 at 11:55 pm.

Required Experience:

Director

Apply Now

About Company

Internal

Western Washington University (WWU), located in Bellingham, WA, welcomes students at the front door of discovery. We invite you to connect, create and join in community with others who thrive on learning.

View Profile View Profile

AI AutoApply

Apply to 100+ jobs with one click