Appointment of Sessional Tutors
Applications for tutoring in 2nd semester 2009 are now open.
It is the School of Historical Studies’ policy to appoint, where appropriate, its own higher-degree students to casual and short-term positions that fall vacant. We welcome applications from as many postgraduates as possible; however, we advise that although obtaining tutorial experience is a reasonable expectation, it is by no means a right as not all subjects will require a tutor and your supervisor is required to support your application.
Applicants must complete an "Application to Tutor" form and send it, along with an up-to-date CV, to Erica Mehrtens, 3rd floor John Medley by 7 July. Applications will then be forwarded to the relevant discipline groups.
Application Form (Word doc)
Guidelines
The School of Historical Studies endeavours to provide teaching experience for all doctoral students within the constraints of available subjects. Final tutoring appointments depend on enrolment numbers in any given subject. Tutors take a minimum of 2 tutorials and a maximum or 4 tutorials. There may be exceptions to this based on final subject enrolment numbers.
Sessional tutoring positions for postgraduates will be advertised to postgraduate students, via email no later than four weeks before the position is to start.
Preference will be given to enrolled doctoral or research masters students in the SHS. Where appropriate, other applicants will also be considered.
Postgraduate students will not normally be employed in the first or last six months of their candidature.
Subject co-ordinators will endeavour to have a mixture of experienced and new tutors if the subject numbers warrant several tutors.
To be considered for tutoring, a postgraduate should normally have the support of their supervisor.
In making appointments, the School is guided by the University's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
Selection Criteria
- Potential as a teacher: in particular, an ability to communicate effectively with undergraduates and to be responsive to the University's administrative needs
- Previous experience with the relevant subject-matter
- Academic standing
- Economic hardship
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate that tutoring will not affect the timely completion of their thesis
Introduction to Teaching
All sessional tutors will be invited to attend a School Induction Program offered at the beginning of each semester. Those who have not tutored before at this university are required to attend a Faculty of Arts Induction Program. (Details of these Induction Programs will be provided in the letter of offer.)
Guidelines for Payment of Sessional Tutors
Tutors in the SHS are currently paid for the following duties:
- the number of tutorials conducted
- marking (up to 4000 words per student across the semester)
- giving guest lectures – if required (paid at the initial lecture rate)
- attending the subject lectures – in the first year of tutoring in a subject, tutors are required to attend lectures and will be paid at the Other Academic Activity rate. In the second and any subsequent years of tutoring in the same subject, tutors are not required to attend lectures unless the content is substantially different and/or the subject co-ordinator changes
- 5 hours of Other Academic Activity per semester - this includes student consultation time (tutors are not expected to hold a consultation time each week but should cluster their times around the dates assessment is due), also marking meetings, correspondence with students and maintaining the subject record cards.
Administration
Successful applicants will be provided with information outlining rates of pay, expectations of tutors and also of students, and any other information pertinent to the position.
A contract of employment will be drawn up, stipulating the type of employment and the terms of engagement in relation to the duties required, the number of hours involved and the rate of pay for each classification of duty.
Complaints
Disputes should be referred in the first instance to your subject coordinator or the relevant Discipline Chair in the School. If after discussion and consultation, the matter cannot be resolved, it should be directed to Head of School or the Manager Arts Research, Faculty of Arts, who will refer it to the Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies).
Obligations of teaching staff
All staff in the University are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct and work performance and observe standards of equity and fairness in dealing with students, members of the public and staff. This includes
- performing official duties with skill, care and diligence
- treating students, colleagues and members of the public with courtesy, and with respect for their rights, duties and aspirations
- performing duties professionally (this includes not physically assaulting or insulting, threatening or maligning another university colleague, or behaving in a way that brings the university into disrepute
- observing relevant Acts, regulations, awards and university policies and procedures
Environment, Health and Safety
All staff in the University are responsible for ensuring safe work-procedures and instructions. They must:
- take reasonable care for the safety of self and others
- ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries are reported immediately to a supervisor
- seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures
- participate in meetings, training and other health and safety activities
- wear personal protective equipment as provided
- use equipment in compliance with relevant guidelines, without wilful interference or misuse
- adopt work practices that support the environment health and safety programs