Fiction Writing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Instructor (Non-Senate, Non-Tenure Track)
Salary range: The compensation model varies depending upon the course delivery format. For a synchronous Live Online course, a reasonable estimate for this position is $1,380 - $2,300 total per course. For an asynchronous Fixed Date Online course, this position is paid $115 - $170 per enrolled student and a reasonable estimate ranges from $920 -$3,400 total per course. For an asynchronous Start Anytime Online course, this position is paid $160 - $170 per final student course grade submitted each month; a reasonable estimate ranges from $800 - $5,780 total per course; and monthly payments typically begin within 6 months after the course start date. Instructor compensation is determined by course length, number of units, enrollment, budgetary considerations, and other factors.
Percent time: Part-time by agreement on a course-by-course basis.
Anticipated start: Some appointments may begin as early as the spring semester.
Review timeline: Applicants are considered for positions as needs arise; the existence of this applicant pool does not guarantee that a position is available. The applicant pool will remain in place for 9-12 months; those interested in remaining in the applicant pool beyond the advertised final closing date must reapply.
Position duration: Length of courses differs depending on the subject, level, format/schedule, and credits taught. For the fall, spring, and summer semesters, course length typically ranges from approximately 4 to 12 weeks. For asynchronous online start anytime courses, agreement length typically ranges from 9 to 18 months. Further course agreements may be assigned based upon program needs, meritorious performance, and funding availability.
Application Window
Open date: September 26, 2025
Most recent review date: Thursday, Jun 11, 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, Sep 25, 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
UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX), the continuing education branch of the University of California, Berkeley, has been building bridges between UC Berkeley and the public since 1891. UNEX serves the professional and continuing education goals of thousands of people each year and plays an essential part of the University mission to: extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community; increase access to higher education for non-traditional, online, and international students; and improve the workforce. UC Berkeley Extension is a part of the division under the leadership of the Dean of Extended Education that also includes Berkeley Summer Sessions, Berkeley Study Abroad, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
UC Berkeley Extension invites applications for a pool of qualified, dynamic instructors with a commitment to undergraduate, professional, and continuing education in Writing and Literature to teach one or more online courses each year for our Arts and Humanities department.
Courses are offered online:

• Online instruction is delivered asynchronously through our learning management system (Canvas) or through synchronous live lectures (Zoom).
• Most synchronous live online lecture courses are offered in the evening and on the weekend (U.S.A. Pacific Time).

Course Subjects
We are seeking qualified applicants who possess current subject matter expertise and/or teaching knowledge in (but not limited to) the following course subjects. For program and course descriptions, please refer to the departmental link below.
Writing

• Academic Writing
• Business Communications
• English Composition
• Genre Fiction Writing
• Journalism
• Literary Fiction Writing
• Memoir
• Nonfiction Writing
• Poetry
• Public Relations Writing
• Science Writing
• Screenwriting
• Social Media Writing

Literature

• American Fiction
• British Literature
• Contemporary Literature
• World Literature

Other Writing and Literature Course Subjects
(please specify in your cover letter)
Teaching Experience

• Classroom Teaching Experience
• Synchronous Online Teaching Experience (online lectures via Zoom)
• Asynchronous Online Teaching Experience (via learning management system)

General Duties
The department seeks candidates who can support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Specific duties and expectations will vary depending on the method of instruction including: Synchronous Live Online (Zoom) or Asynchronous Online (Fixed Date or Start Anytime).

• For synchronous instruction (live online courses), duties include but are not limited to: syllabus development; assignment development; lesson planning for class meetings; preparing and submitting required texts and course materials; reviewing and updating Canvas course site; and delivering lectures, presentations, and learning activities for all required hours of instruction.
• For asynchronous instruction (fixed date or start anytime online courses), duties include but are not limited to: reviewing the syllabus and pre-populated online course content; learning and utilizing Canvas classroom management tools; and requesting any training needs from the Program Director or Department Director.
• For all instruction (regardless of course format) duties include but are not limited to: completing required trainings as mandated by the UC Presidential policies; responding to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner; grading student assignments and posting final student grades to the instructor portal in a timely manner; utilizing University-approved course support platforms including the Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom, Instructor Portal, Google Workspace, etc.; reviewing and following University and departmental policies, logistics, and other guidelines as published on the departmental Instructional Resource Site; and responding to other requests from the Program Director or Department Director in a timely manner.

Creative Writing Program: https://extension.berkeley.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17208&selectedProgramAreaId=15550&selectedProgramStreamId=15616
Creative Writing Courses: https://extension.berkeley.edu/academic-areas/writing-editing-and-technical-communication/#!?tab=courses&programStream=Creative%20Writing
Nonfiction Writing Courses: https://extension.berkeley.edu/academic-areas/writing-editing-and-technical-communication/#!?tab=courses&programStream=Nonfiction%20Writing
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Advanced Degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• U.S.A. Residency and U.S.A. Work Authorization: All work must be performed in the United States, whether in person or online. For applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents, a valid US work authorization is required for the duration of employment. Applicants should not expect the department to sponsor a work visa on their behalf.

Preferred qualifications

• Terminal/doctorate degree or equivalent international degree in course subject preferred.
• 3 or more years of professional industry and/or academic experience in the course subject.
• 3 or more years of undergraduate-level teaching experience (as the primary instructor) in the course subject.
• Experience teaching at a U.S. college/university institution.
• Experience in creating syllabi, learning objectives, lectures/presentations, learning activities, assignments, assessments, exams, and quizzes.
• Experience teaching online and/or developing academic content for online courses.
• Ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Ability to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.
• Effective verbal/written communication and presentation skills (English).
• Effective organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and work within a team environment.
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) instructional and other technology, such as: Learning Management Systems (Canvas); lecture/presentation capture applications (Panopto); online video conferencing (Zoom); Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint); file sharing (Google drive or Dropbox); and Google Workspace tools (email, calendar, docs, sheets, slides, etc).

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Please discuss prior teaching experience, teaching approach, and other/future teaching interests. This can include, for example, specific efforts, accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.

Reference requirements

• References are requested from candidates at the interviewing stage, and references are only contacted for finalists.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04984
Help contact: extension-jobs@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
San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.A.