Creative Writing Instructor Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Position overview
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t15.pdf A reasonable estimate for this position is $1900 per unit, by agreement with Berkeley Summer Sessions.
Percent time: Summer appointments are handled on a by-agreement basis
Review timeline: Applications are typically reviewed for summer session course needs in April.
Position duration: Applications will be accepted and reviewed for department needs through July 31, 2026. The pool will close July 31, 2026; applicants wishing to remain in the pool after that time will need to submit their applications anew.
Application Window
Open date: December 3, 2025
Most recent review date: Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Friday, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The College Writing Programs at the University of California, Berkeley, invites applications for a pool of qualified temporary instructors to teach summer courses in the College Writing Programs should openings arise. The number of positions varies from summer to summer, depending on the department's needs. All positions are handled on a by-agreement basis.
Programs include:
English Language and Culture: Our English for Academic and Specific Purposes courses are aimed at high-beginning through advanced-level students who want to enhance their English language skills, improve job performance, or undertake university work. Courses are offered both online and in person and are grounded in theme-based and project-based learning.
Creative Writing: Courses include short fiction and drama, nonfiction, poetry, and performance and reading. Most courses are 3-week workshops, although a few are in a longer 6-week format. They are offered both online and in person. A record of publication in creative writing is preferred for creative writing teaching candidates.
Public Speaking: We offer introductory, advanced, and online public speaking courses for lower-division students. All are in a 6-week format.
Reading and Writing in the Disciplines: Courses focusing on education; writing in the biological sciences, law, and business; and other disciplines are offered both online and in person.
Reading & Composition (Berkeley students): We offer online sections of required courses for Berkeley undergraduates, who receive priority enrollment. Instructors must be experienced in teaching composition. Course lengths vary from 8 to 10 weeks.
Job duties:
Successful applicants will teach one or more summer courses. Applicants will be responsible for all classes, including crafting syllabi, teaching in a classroom environment, and grading student work. Instructors will also be required to attend faculty meetings.
Successful applicants will be interested not only in teaching but also in being part of a faculty team. Participation in faculty development workshops and ongoing self-evaluation are important to our program.
UC lecturers are academic appointees and are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, University Council - American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement of the UC-AFT.
Please note: The use of a lecturer pool does not guarantee that an open position exists. See the review date specified in APRecruit to learn whether the department is currently reviewing applications for a specific position. If there is no future review date specified, your application may not be considered at this time.
The department seeks candidates who can support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. UC Berkeley is committed to supporting employees as they balance work and family.
Applicants are considered for positions as needs arise; the existence of this pool does not guarantee that a position is available.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Program: https://writing.berkeley.edu/courses/summer
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Completion of or enrollment in an advanced degree program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Completion of advanced degree

Preferred qualifications
All candidates

• Three (3) years experience teaching university-level students in your area of expertise
• An understanding of the ethics and use of GenAI in university settings
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Evidence of clear communication skills as presented in application materials

English Language and Culture

• A Masters' degree or higher, or equivalent international degree, in one of the following fields: TESL, TEFL, TEAL, applied linguistics, language teaching/education, - ESP discipline (i.e., business, law, science/technology)
• Experience working with adult ESL/EFL students in university-level courses
• Experience with content-, theme-, and project-based language teaching
• Experience living/working outside of the U.S. in a non-English speaking country
• Basic proficiency in a language other than English

Creative Writing

• MFA, MA, or PhD in Creative Writing, English, Journalism, or Comparative Literature
• A publication record in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or feature journalism Public Speaking
• An MA, MFA, JD, or PhD in English, Education, Journalism, Law, Rhetoric, or Composition

Reading and Writing in the Disciplines

• An MA, PhD, MS, JD, MEd, in English, Composition Studies, or specific discipline (biology, law,, engineering, journalism, rhetoric, etc)
• Experience in the written discourse of the discipline, as demonstrated through publication or teaching experience

Reading & Composition

• An MA, MFA, or PhD. In Composition Studies, English, Comparative Literature, Rhetoric, or Education
• Knowledge and understanding of current approaches to teaching reading and writing

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.; no photographs; do NOT indicate age or marital status
• Cover Letter
• Up to 12 pages of sample teaching materials - A variety is encouraged to highlight teaching style: classroom materials, sample assignments, an instructor-designed syllabus, etc.

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05194
Help contact: collegewriting@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy ( APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA