Research Teaching Assistant Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

About Us
Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.
The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust. UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more!
Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.
At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.
The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.
Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Job Summary
The Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) will support an overseeing tenure-track professor in facilitating a core-level course. Basic responsibilities include attending each class session, holding regular office hours, and providing general academic support to students. More specific duties are established by the overseeing professor and may include activities like holding review sessions, creating quiz questions, or assistance with grading. Strong communication skills, an exceptional grasp of course material, and reliability are essential.
Required Qualifications

• Must be enrolled at UWG in a minimum of 6 credit hours
• Prior completion of the course, specifically in a section of the course taught by the overseeing professor, with a grade of A.
• Pursuit of a Major in the area in which the course is taught.
• Overall student GPA of 3.5 or higher with 30 hours or more completed.

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions
Following initial hire and onboarding, the regular aspect of the UTA's schedule involves attending all class meetings for one core section (3 hours/week) and holding regular, in-person office hours (3 hours/week). The UTA also typically teaches and leads discussion for a half of a class at least once or twice per semester, with the professor offering training and improvement suggestions. Variable aspects of the role (4 hours/week) involve other ways of assisting the students and professor. For the students, the UTA typically offers a three 90-minute exam review sessions per semester. The TA also occasionally receives emails and responds with help, communicates via online discussion boards (when offered), and typically provides non-grading, qualitative feedback on student paper drafts following a rubric provided by the professor. Lastly, assisting the professor, the UTA sometimes prints course materials, grades multiple-choice aspects of exams (using a key provided), and occasionally prints course materials or handouts.
Preferred Qualifications

• Prior completion of the course with a 95% or higher grade.
• Prior completion of (or current enrollment in) at least three PHIL courses.
• Candidates should not have previously served in the role.

Required Documents to Attach

• Letter of Recommendation from the overseeing professor.

USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
Conditions of Employment
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.
Special Applicant Instructions
UTA Activities (examples):

• Attend each class meeting.
• Hold regular office hours (including possible virtual hours).
• Respond promptly to student email inquiries.
• Hold at least one exam review session before each exam.
• Manage, moderate, and contribute to discussion board conversations.
• Create supplemental quiz questions or extra practice materials.
• Print course materials, such as exams or sign-in sheets.
• Grade multiple-choice components of exams or completion assignments (e.g. pop quizzes, responses to in-class prompts, etc.)
• Commentate on written exam questions or on final project proposals, drafts, final papers, or presentations.
• Input attendance grades or other grades or records.

Notes on UTA versus SI Duties:

• UTAs are Majors and receive special training on course content from the overseeing instructor. They are expected to go beyond an undergraduate level of mastery of the content of the course for which they are the TA (i.e. mastery to a degree of expertise greater than that of a strong student). By contrast: SI Leaders are considered peers and ¿are not considered experts in the subjects."
• UTAs would be expected to be able to 're-deliver¿ content precisely and accurately, focusing primarily on ¿what to learn,¿ not on study techniques or games emphasizing ¿how to learn.¿ By contrast: SIs devote their attention, in addition to focusing on content, to helping students with ¿how to learn¿ and to mastering ¿group facilitation methods, student learning theory, and study techniques.¿ SIs are not expected to be able to 're-lecture [...].¿
• UTAs may grade, manage for-credit discussion board conversations, handle or print course materials, create course content or quiz questions, or provide qualitative feedback or commentary on graded items. By contrast: SIs do not grade, handle or produce graded items, or contribute to graded activities.
• UTAs are available for a variety of types of meetings, e.g. one-on-one consultations, virtual meetings, group study sessions, discussion board contributions, or occasional in-class delivery of content or review. By contrast: SI sessions are more narrowly expected to prepare an out-of-class, in-person group experience involving peer interactions, i.e. specifically facilitating a "group setting for students [...].¿