Head Communication and Teamwork Instructor

Course number and title: APS111 and 112 - Engineering Strategies & Practice I and II

Course description: These courses introduce and provide a framework for the design process. Students are introduced to communication as an integral component of engineering practice. The course is a vehicle for understanding problem solving and developing communications skills.

Building on the first course, this second course in the two Engineering Strategies and Practice course sequence introduces students to project management and to the design process in greater depth. In both courses, students work in teams on a term length design project. Students will write a series of technical reports and give a team-based design project presentation.

Posting end date: July 17, 2026

Number of Positions (est.): 1 position

Estimated TA support: TAs coordinate tutorial and mark design documents. CIs and TAs coordinate closely.

Estimated course enrolment:1,200 students, in tutorial sections of approximately 30 students each.

Class schedule: Students attend 3 one-hour lectures (2 in the Winter term), and 1 two-hour tutorial per week.

Sessional dates of appointment: September 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026

Hours: 3.2 HCE (up to a maximum of 736 hrs) including the exam periods. Fall = 1.7 HCE, Winter = 1.5 HCE

You are expected to be available for course related meetings during Reading Week.

Salary: CUPE minimum salary rates for a half course (HCE), inclusive of vacation pay, are: Sessional Lecturer 1 - $9,997.47; Sessional Lecturer 1 Long Term - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 Long Term - $10,953.96; Sessional Lecturer 3 - $10,953.96 and Sessional Lecturer 3 Long Term - $11,212.15. Should rates stipulated in the Collective Agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the Collective Agreement shall prevail.

Minimum Qualifications

include at least a Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline (such as, but not limited to, Communication, English, Applied Linguistics, Engineering, Education, Technology Studies) with strong written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to teaching communication and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team. Flexible availability is a requirement for this positions.

Ability to perform duties online as required.

Preferred Qualifications

include a PhD in an appropriate discipline (as above), TESL or CELTA certificate (or equivalent in ESL specialization or development of ESL curricula), familiarity with engineering communication practices and/or experience as an instructor or communication specialist in a technical field. Also considered assets are experience in curriculum development, tutoring and/or working with a diverse group of students.

Extensive teamwork, team teaching, and teamwork instruction experience, as well as previous experience in the course, are highly valued assets.

Description of Duties: Exact duties will be negotiated and agreed upon between the successful candidate and the Communication Coordinator. All teaching is conducted in-person, with varying degrees of flexibility in scheduling and some opportunities to provide online support. The following duties will be included:

• In-term course preparation, in coordination with the Communication Coordinator and Course Coordinator team.
• Attending all coordinator planning meetings, benchmarking meetings and whole-teaching-team meetings (TTMs)(Mondays 9-11 AM)
• Preparing material for TTMs and benchmarking meetings
• Attending all whole-team and CI-only benchmarking meetings (throughout term)
• Attending all training sessions (8 hours) (Early September)
• Assisting in preparation of training materials (September)
• Attending in preparation and participating in lectures for up to two lecture sections (as required) and./or as a back up for the communication coordinator’s lectures
• Lead a marking and support group of 3-4 other CIs
• Assist 1 Head TA in leading a TA benchmarking group
• Provide support for, and mark select individual assignments for, up to two (preferably one) tutorial sections (30-72 students), in collaboration with a Teaching Assistant.
• Grading 6-12 Team Charter assignments for the assigned tutorial
• Attending 2 work sessions before each major assignment deadline (time and date tbd)
• Grading Final Presentations (one full day in April, during Exam Period)
• Assisting in the preparation for Design Day (April)
• A required 15-minute check-in with the Communication Coordinator (on workload, processes, feedback on the course, etc.) will be conducted each term (in September and in February or March).
• Coordinating with the Communication and Team Coordinators on teamwork assignment design, delivery and support.

The following duties may be applicable, depending on agreement between the candidate and the Communication Coordinator:

• Collaborating with the Communication Coordinator (beginning in September 2026 and continuing to April 30, 2027) on:
• Assignment design
• Reviewing, composing and delivering course materials and lectures
• Assessment, benchmarking and marking group management
• Student-facing communications (including discussion boards and announcements)
• Teaching team management tasks (including coordinating CI support)
• Delivering and/or co-delivering lectures
• Conducting student workshops and/or meetings targeted at specific course materials and subjects
• Conducting make-up assignments meetings (for final presentation, etc.) and other assessment-related make-up work
• Assisting with re-grade requests
• Collaborating with Communication Coordinator on strategies of support for students, including those identified by the Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA)
• New TA support (assisting Course Coordinator)
• Assisting in any required additional TA hiring
• Covering for CIs who are unable to complete duties due to health or other reasons
• Covering for the Communication Coordinator in case of any unplanned absences or planned leaves. Any extended coverage will be established in agreement between Head CI and Communication Coordinator

Please note: duties may be adjusted due to changes in course delivery from in-person to online.

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit

• Unit 3 application form
• Application documents must be submitted via the link found in the application form in one (1) file.

If during the application and/or selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please contact Chanelle Small-Reid at istep.academic@utoronto.ca.

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities. and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the position. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.

We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see