Instructional Support Specialist

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

42d

About The Position

The Academic Delivery Instructor is a key resource for undergraduate students in all Computer Science (CS) degree programs. The incumbent provides course instruction, instructional support and administrative support to a large range of CS courses. As a senior member of the Instructional Support Group (ISG), the incumbent works with the Undergraduate Studies Manager to provide leadership to the group. The Instructional Support Group manages support staff, technology and administrative aspects of running a course and provides continuity and consistency from term to term.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related discipline
University level teaching experience, combined with knowledge of various hardware systems and software applications used in support of teaching. Supervisory experience.
Demonstrated ability to teach a variety of Computer Science courses
Proven interpersonal skills to deal effectively with a wide range of individuals, occasionally in contentious situations
Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direction and as a team member in a busy and varied environment with deadlines, changing priorities and large volumes
Knowledge of current computer hardware and software applications used in an undergraduate computer science or engineering environment. Some examples include: o Operating Systems: Mac, Windows, Linux; o Programming Languages: Racket, Python, C/C++; o Applications Software: MS Office, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Acrobat Pro, applications for assignment submission and testing (e.g. Marmoset, MarkUs)

Responsibilities

Course Instruction
Teach undergraduate CS courses as a course instructor; typically 3 courses per year
Develop and maintain course content, e.g. CS on-line courses, to align with curriculum approved by the CS Undergraduate Academic Plans Committee (UAPC)
Participate in School of Computer Science committees as assigned, such as UAPC
Deliver course content using appropriate and creative teaching techniques, student assignment tools and technology to enhance learning and support student success
Provide consulting hours and on-line communication to enhance students’ learning experience for course-related materials
Design and create assignment and exam specifications, solutions and marking schemes
Assess student performance (e.g. assignments and exams) and determine final grades
Apply and enforce academic regulations Coordination
Provide instructional support for primarily upper year CS courses
Provide advice to course instructors regarding course specific practice and university/faculty policies and procedures
Handle and report academic discipline problems such as cheating cases
Arrange and conduct weekly course team meetings
Manage computing resources and associated permission requests
Maintain course accounts and web pages
Organize exams such as proctoring and marking
Manage the grade appeal/revision process
Provide leadership in ISG administration and training activities such as improving the process and/or materials, participating in new initiatives
Identify and document ISG across-course support procedures Team Management
Select/hire Instructional Apprentices (IAs )
Assign duties to Senior Instructional Support Assistants (SISAs), IAs and Teaching Assistants (TAs)
Provide day-to-day support and supervision for SISAs, IAs and TAs
Provide course specific and service training
Evaluate performance of SISAs, IAs and TAs
Participate in IA/TA budgeting Academic Service to Students
Consult with students regarding course administration
Handle/report requests for exception (e.g. illness, death in family)
Resolve/report midterm and final exam conflicts; arrange exam seats
Manage exams and scheduling for students writing exams with AccessAbility Services Technical Support
Provide support for course assignment submission/marking software application systems such as setup and instructions for instructors, TAs and students
Liaising with Computer Science Computing Facilities (CSCF) for hardware and software problems associated with course content and course administration
Identify new technology and software applications to improve CS teaching practice and instructional support process, and coordinate/participate in piloting new systems
Collaborate with CSCF and coordinate resources and projects for teaching related software application development, testing and maintenance