Temporary Creative Writing Mfa Jobs in California

2026-27 AY Lecturer Pool - English - Upper-Division Literature, Creative Writing, and Technical Writing
Job no: 557159
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Temporary/Lecturer
Location: Sacramento
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Letters/Humanities, Temporary, Part Time
DEPARTMENT: English
POSITION TITLE: Lecturer Pool - English - Upper-Division Literature, Creative Writing, and Technical Writing
POSITION DETAILS:
The Department of English at Sacramento State is a community of teachers, scholars, writers, and staff dedicated to promoting learning in composition, creative writing, English education, linguistics, literature, and the teaching of English as a second language.
We are looking for qualified candidates for a part-time lecturer pool to teach courses in the following specialized areas:

• Upper-Division Literature: Courses in English Literature with specific regional and/or historical focuses (e.g., British, American, World, Postcolonial).
• Creative Writing: Courses in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
• Technical Writing (ENGL 120T): A digital-first course in technical and professional communication in which students produce documentation for real audiences and contexts, including applied projects. Students develop skills in content strategy, search engine optimization (SEO), and user-centered writing, and engage with emerging issues such as the use of AI in professional writing workflows.

Courses are taught in person and meet two or three times per week during the semester.
If you believe you are qualified to teach other English courses, please use the link to apply to the general English lecturer pool. Course descriptions and details are available in the University Catalog.
Duties of a part-time lecturer include instruction, class preparation, grading, and office hours. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs. Course assignments, including dates, time, and modality, are made by the Department Chair under the direction of the College Dean.
Part-time lecturers are instructional faculty with conditional appointments based on enrollment and budget. Hires from the pool of applicants are made when there are instructional needs to fill coursework offered by an academic department based on changing enrollment patterns, changes to tenure-track faculty assignments, and other factors that cannot be addressed with our existing faculty. Initial appointments are typically for one semester, but occasionally academic year initial appointments are made. Appointments may be renewed based on department needs, funding, and performance. Often appointments are made just prior to the start of the semester.
Rank and Salary
Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department.
Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:
Lecturer A: $5,507 - $6,677
Lecturer B: $6,221 - $13,224
Lecturer C: $6,825 - $14,523
Lecturer D: $8,593 - $15,211
The salary ranges indicated are based on a "full\time rate" (15 weighted teaching units [WTUs]). A semester's worth of compensation is made up of six (6) payments of the given amount. To calculate your salary for a semester, the base rate would be pro-rated based on the units worked out of 15 WTUs. If you were a Lecturer A assigned 3 units at the minimum salary, your pay would be structured as follows: $5,507 x 3/15 (3 units out of a possible 15 units total) = $1101.40 x 6 checks = $6,608.40 total for 3 units/semester.
REQUIRED and PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
UPPER-DIVISION LITERATURE
Required Qualifications

• MA or minimum of Bachelor's degree with successful advancement to candidacy in a Doctoral program in a related field with active scholarly agenda demonstrated through publication/conference participation/other relevant activities.
• Teaching experience in the relevant field at the college level.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in English literature with concentration in the relevant period/area/method.

CREATIVE WRITING
Required Qualifications

• MA and/or Bachelor's degree with successful advancement to candidacy in an MFA or a Doctoral program in creative writing with active creative agenda demonstrated through publication in nationally/internationally recognized platforms, magazines, or books from reputed presses.
• Teaching experience in the relevant field at the college level.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA or PhD in Creative Writing with concentration in the relevant field.

TECHNICAL WRITING
Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Technical Communication, Rhetoric and Composition, English, or a closely related field, with graduate coursework or demonstrated specialization in technical communication, digital writing, or professional communication;
  OR
  Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus at least 5 years of professional experience as a technical writer, UX writer, content strategist, or in a closely related role.
• Demonstrated familiarity with digital documentation environments, content strategy, and/or user-centered writing principles is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience as a technical writer, UX writer, content strategist, or in a related field, particularly current or recent industry practice is highly desirable.
• Experience teaching technical or professional writing at the college level.
• Ability to connect professional practice to undergraduate instruction, including topics such as content strategy, SEO, and emerging technologies (e.g., AI in writing workflows).

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)/resume: follow the instructions below for each specialized area to include the required information -

For Upper-Division Literature - identifying literary period/area/method of specialization (e.g.: 19th century American, 21st-century World Literature etc.)
For Creative Writing - identifying the field of specialization
For Technical Writing - identifying relevant field of professional experience

• Unofficial transcripts that include the highest degree or degree required for the position -

If you hold a Bachelor's and have advanced to candidacy in a Doctoral or an MFA program, you must submit the following:

1. The unofficial transcript of your highest completed degree, and
2. The unofficial transcript for your current Doctoral or MFA program, along with proof of your candidacy status.

Proof of candidacy can be either:

• • A notation on your unofficial transcript, or
  • A letter of verification from your academic institution.

Please combine all documents - transcripts and, if applicable, the verification letter - into a single file before uploading it to your application.

• A list of three professional references with contact information

About Sacramento State
Sacramento State is located in the heart of California's capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State is a Hispanic and AANAPISI serving institution with about 31,000 students coming not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:
"As California's capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement." As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.
As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.
To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.
Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.
It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/people-climate/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.
The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visithttps://www.csus.edu/people-climate/human-resources/learning-development/support/csu-learn.html.
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act Notification
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery .
The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at clery@csus.edu.
Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.
Background Check Disclaimer
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.
COVID-19 Vaccine Certification Information
Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all California State University, Sacramento employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Effective May 2023.
Eligibility Verification
Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agent for non-tenure track (temporary/lecturer) faculty for the H1-B Visa.
Out of State Employment
Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.
Advertised: May 07 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
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