Instructor Pool - Visual Arts - UC Berkeley Extension

Position overview

Position title: Instructor (Non-Senate, Non-Tenure Track) Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $1,500 - $2,250 total per synchronous Live Online course. 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 10 to 13 weeks. Further course agreements may be assigned based upon program needs, meritorious performance, and funding availability.

Application Window

Open date: August 26, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, May 4, 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: Tuesday, Aug 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 Visual Arts to teach one or more online courses each year for our Arts and Humanities department.

Courses are offered online:

• Online instruction is delivered through synchronous live lectures (Zoom) and through our learning management system (Canvas).
• 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.

Visual Arts

• Drawing
• Painting
• Digital Photography
• Contemporary Art History and Theory
• Modern Art History and Theory
• Portfolio Development and Professional Practices
• Other Visual Arts Courses or Subjects (please specify in your cover letter)

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).

• 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 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.

Visual Arts Program and Courses: https://extension.berkeley.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17019&selectedProgramAreaId=11461&selectedProgramStreamId=13312#collapse_1

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

• 3 or more years of teaching experience in the course subject 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); 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/JPF05011

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.