Adjunct/Affiliate Faculty - Special Education - College of Adult and Graduate Studies

Description

About the Job

Colorado Christian University is currently looking for qualified instructors to become online affiliate faculty (course by course contract-based) for graduate Special Education courses. College of Adult and Graduate Studies courses are asynchronous and offered in five, 10, and 15 week sessions. Classes are taught using online formats to a predominantly adult audience.

Job Location

Remote - must reside and work legally in the U.S. All work must be performed within the U.S.

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV) 

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

1. Faith friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
2. Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
3. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.

We’re looking for candidates who have:

1. A Doctoral degree in Special Education, - preferred; or a Master's degree in Special Education plus at least 15 years of experience working in a Special Education related position  
2. Three years of full-time, or equivalent, K-12 school-based Special Education experience is required (licensed experience preferred). 
3. Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards and Colorado Teacher Quality Standards.  
4. Strong human relations skills as applied in a remote/online working environment.
5. Experience teaching in higher education, particularly online with modern learning management systems.
6. Passion for Christ-centered higher education and dedication to the integration of faith and learning in their field.

Key Job Duties

1. Must follow all course policies and meet expectations according to established faculty guidelines, including timely grading of assignments, tests, papers, and final grade submission. Communicate with students in a timely manner. This includes: Contacting students using the Brightspace e-mail system before class starts to welcome them.
2. Using the Brightspace notification system to communicate with students and check it regularly to assist and support students. Participating in the course and in threaded discussions as appropriate. Returning assignments in a timely manner with meaningful and helpful critiques. Using the Brightspace Grade Center for all assignments and returning all graded assignments to maintain a permanent record of student work.
3. Commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning.
4. Class preparation and continual course maintenance required. Course maintenance includes updating assignment due dates in the calendar function in Brightspace and providing a phone number and e-mail address to students.
5. Faculty have access to their Brightspace course one month before their course is scheduled to begin and are expected to take the time necessary to familiarize themselves with the course objectives, content, text, assignments and delivery format. Technology training is not provided, so faculty must be willing to watch videos provided by the university to learn how to use the learning management system.
6. Provide supplemental material that will enhance the class according to the experience and expertise of the faculty. Adhere to the course and course objectives for basic content.
7. Participate in the faculty orientation program, bi-annual faculty meetings and other training & forums as required.
8. Communicate promptly with the Program Director, Dean, Director of Faculty Development, or other designated CAGS staff, if you face any difficulties. Report errors, deficiencies, misrepresentations and make suggestions for improvement in course content to the Program Director, Dean, or Director of Curriculum.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.

Affiliate Faculty pay is typically $400-$600 per credit hour for undergraduate classes and $1,000 per credit hour for graduate level classes. Details regarding payment for low-enrolled courses are included in course contracts. 

Spiritual Requirements

1. Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
2. Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
3. Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
4. Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.