Teaching & Research Assistants

Under the supervision of the course instructor, you may be asked to:

• Hold weekly office hours to help students with problems
• Prepare exams and assignments
• Grade assignments
• Help supervise mid-terms and final exams
• Record grades
• Help the instructor with other course-related tasks, such as preparation of course materials

Lab instructors also run computer or non-computer labs or tutorials, depending on the course. If you apply for a position as a lab instructor, you should be comfortable teaching in front of small groups of students (20-35).

TAs at UVic are unionized, and we follow the appointment guidelines in the CUPE 4163 Agreement (Article 13.02). To be eligible, students must be registered full-time and be on campus for the term of the TA appointment.

Selection decisions include:

• Qualifications and ability of the candidate (s) based on academic merit and related experience
• The career and/or pedagogical value that the position will provide the student
• The student's preferences (as listed on the application form)
• Other sources of graduate student financial support being received

All TAs must have a solid background in the related subject (unless specified otherwise). A good command of spoken and written English is essential.

Priority in hiring goes first to graduate students registered in the Department of Economics, following our appointment priority policy.

Appointment priority policy

Priority level 1: Master’s year 1 and PhD year 1, PhD years 2 and 3 (where previously appointed to a bargaining unit position).

Priority level 2: Where previously appointed to a bargaining unit position, master’s year 2 and PhD year 4 or 5 .

Priority level 3: Other graduate students (in other years, not previously appointed, or from other departments).

Priority level 4: Undergraduates.

Priority level 5: Others/non-students.

Find salary rates for teaching assistants on the Human Resources website (CUPE 4163, Component 1).

140 hours per term is normally the maximum number of hours that will be assigned to each TA. The actual number of hours worked per week varies by course and term.

There are very few TA hours available in the summer term so TAs can expect to receive significantly smaller offers than the fall and spring terms. TAs should consider this in their financial plans. 

Completed TA applications can be emailed to econao@uvic.ca or mailed to:

Administrative office
Department of Economics (BEC 360)
University of Victoria
PO Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria BC V8W 2Y2

Sending us an application confirms that you do want a TA job. It also gives you the chance to list your course preferences so we can consider them when we make assignments.

Teaching Assistant Vacancies - Department of Economics

(CUPE 4163 Specialist Instructional Laboratory Instructors & Academic Assistants)

WINTER SESSION – Fall Term 2024 09

Positions Availible:	Academic Assistants and Laboratory Instructors. See list below for anticipated positions.
Appointment Dates:	September 1 – December 31, 2024
Rate of Pay:	$31.49 per hour, plus 4% vacation pay
Hours:	Hours per position are based on course enrollment and will be finalized at the beginning of the term.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

TAs must be available during daytime hours to fulfill duties for the duration of the term.

Duties may include some or all of the following:

• Holding scheduled office hours to assist students with problems
• Preparing exams and assignments
• Grading course assignments and exams
• Keeping accurate records of grades
• Invigilating in-person mid-terms and final exams
• Teaching in-person computer labs or conducting tutorial sessions

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Appointment procedures are based on the guidelines of the CUPE 4163 Agreement, TA Appendix Article 13.02.

Selection criteria for all positions will include the qualifications and ability of the candidate(s) based on academic merit and related experience, the career and/or pedagogical value that the experience in a particular position will provide the student, the student’s preferences, and other sources of graduate student financial support being received.

All applications will be considered, however, priority will first be given to graduate students registered in the Department of Economics, in accordance with the department’s Appointment Priority Policy, including any graduate students with conditional offers of employment included in an offer of admission.

All TAs must have a solid background in the related subject (unless specified otherwise). Excellent command of spoken and written English is essential.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Complete the TA Application Form and return it by 4:30pm, Friday, Aug 9th, 2024 to
Charlene Toews, Administrative Officer, Department of Economics via email: econao@uvic.ca

NOTE: Actual number of positions and total hours for each position are subject to funding availability and/or course enrollment or cancellation.

Course	Position	Hours per position
ECON 103 Principles of Microeconomics	Lab Instructor Duties may include: lab instruction, TA meetings, marking, invigilation, and Help Centre hours	70-140
ECON 104 Principles of Macroeconomics	Lab Instructor Duties may include: lab instruction, TA meetings, marking, invigilation, and Help Centre hours	70-140
ECON 180        Introduction to Principles of Microeconomics and Financial Project Evaluation	Academic Assistant	35-105
ECON 203 Intermediate Microeconomics I	Lab Instructor TAs will perform a number of supporting tasks, including marking tests and helping to facilitate the weekly tutorial sessions.	70-140
ECON 204 Intermediate Macroeconomics	Academic Assistant	140
ECON 225 Writing for Economists	Academic Assistant TAs for this course should be good writers with experience teaching and marking English composition. A background teaching students who have English as an additional language is an asset.	105
ECON 245 Descriptive Statistics and Probability	Lab Instructor TAs will run computer labs and should be familiar with EViews, R, Brightspace, and Zoom.	70-140
ECON 246 Statistical Inference	Lab Instructor TAs will run computer labs and should be familiar with EViews, R, Brightspace, and Zoom.	70-140
ECON 305 Money and Banking	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 308 Economics and the Law	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 312 Urban Land Economics	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 313 Intermediate Microeconomics II	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 317 Economics of Canadian Healthcare	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 320 Economic Development	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 321 The Economic History of Canada	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 325 Public Economics	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 329 Development and Economics	Academic Assistant	70-105
ECON 333 Intro to Economic Growth	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 339 Economics of the Family	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 345 Applied Econometrics	Lab Instructor TAs must have completed a course in applied econometrics and have experience working in R Studio and Stata.	70-140
ECON 346 Applied Econometrics II	Lab Instructor TAs must have completed a course in applied econometrics and have experience working in R Studio and Stata.	70-140
ECON 350 Mathematical Economics I	Lab Instructor Preference will be given to a student with a strong background in microeconomic theory and mathematics. Experience in Matlab and Maple is required.	70-140
ECON 365 Econometrics: Part I	Lab Instructor Preference will be given to a student who has successfully completed ECON 545. Experience in R Studio is required.	70-140
ECON 381/ES 312 Environmental Economics	Academic Assistant	105
ECON 383 Climate Economics	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 405B International Monetary Theory	Academic Assistant	35
ECON 406 Monetary Economics	Academic Assistant	35
ECON 413 Economics of Firm Strategy	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 450/550 Game Theory in Economics	Lab Instructor	70
ECON 454 Theory: Corporate Finance	Academic Assistant	35
ECON 468 Financial Econometrics	Academic Assistant	35
ECON 471 Labour Economics II	Academic Assistant	35
ECON 500 Microeconomic Analysis	Academic Assistant	70
ECON 545 Econometric Analysis	Lab Instructor TA must have successfully completed a graduate level econometrics course. Experience in R and Stata is required.	70

The University is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity.

UVIC DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

LEAD TEACHING ASSISTANT (LTA) POSITION

CUPE 4163 COMP 1 & 2

WINTER 2024-2025

Appointment Dates:	August 16, 2024 – April 30, 2025
Rate of Pay:	$30.87/hr until Aug 31st, then $31.80/hr starting Sept 1st plus 4% vacation pay
Hours:	80 hours total
Application Deadline:	June 24th, 2024

LTA Position responsibilities include:

• Support Teaching Assistants (TAs) in the Department of Economics.
• Offer at least eight (8) hours of professional development workshops throughout the academic year for Econ TAs in consultation with the Senior Academic Coordinator. These workshops should be scheduled at such times as to meet the needs of the TAs to maximize their ability to attend.
• Provide draft workshop outlines to the Senior Academic Coordinator ahead of workshop delivery.
• Meet with Senior Academic Coordinator in August for planning sessions and then monthly thereafter.
• Conduct teaching observations of new TAs in the department and provide written and face-to-face feedback to each TA. Provide teaching observations and feedback for experienced TAs when requested.
• Conduct scheduled and/or by-appointment one-on-one consultations with TAs, as requested or needed.
• Share relevant resources with TAs and offer opportunities for them to learn about a wide range of teaching and learning topics, as well as to share items of interest from the department or post common solutions to frequently asked teaching questions.
• Support introductory Econ courses with TA management, TA scheduling, leading TA meetings, and organizing exams.
• Support TA invigilators before and/or during departmental deferred exam sessions.
• Undertake administrative duties related to the role, scheduling workshops, updating TA Brightspace page, writing reports, etc.

The standard CUPE 4163 rate of $30.87 from August 16, 2024 to August 31, 2024 and $31.80 from September 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 plus 4% vacation pay applies, for a commitment of 80 hours that will not exceed 10 hours of work per week, beginning August 16, 2024 and ending April 30, 2025.

Requirements:

• Registered as a full-time Economics Masters or PhD student for the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Demonstrated interest in supporting student learning and an ability to work with a wide range of colleagues in a professional and respectful manner.
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse populations including international students.
• Previous work experience as a TA (including roles with a relatively high level of autonomy) in a post- secondary institution, preferably in the department.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, evident in an ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively in a range of forums (e.g., email, written reports).
• Be available to deliver at least eight (8) hours of workshops over the academic year to TAs at times that meet their needs (often this means front-loading workshops in the fall term).
• Be on campus and available for their duties starting on August 16, 2024.
• Submit to the Senior Academic Coordinator the LTA Program Plan before September 1, 2024.
• Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Brightspace, and e-mail.

Demonstrated excellence in time management with the ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and in the time allocated, and an ability to juggle competing priorities effectively.

Preferred experience and knowledge:

Applicants, who have experience in the following or are interested in developing the following, are especially encouraged to apply:

• Clear understanding of key issues impacting teaching and learning in higher education at institutions such as UVic, particularly the challenges both undergraduate and graduate students face in achieving their learning goals.
• Evidence of taking a course about teaching in higher education, such as the Economics TA Teaching Certificate, UVic’s LATHE graduate certificate (or equivalent), TA Fundamentals Certificate (non-credit), Graduate Student Teaching ProD Certificate (non- credit), TA Conference Certificate (non-credit), Doing TA Work Certificate (non-credit), or engagement in ongoing professional development (e.g., Privacy Training).
• Basic knowledge of student services at UVic to appropriately refer TAs and students.
• Interest in teaching with technology.
• Experience with peer-mentoring.
• Identification of teaching assistant development programs or strategies, and your role in that development.
• Ability to self-reflect and interest in your own professional development.

Application requirements:

Please submit an application package that consists of the following in a single PDF:

1. A cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position, what skills and experiences (especially teaching and mentorship) you bring to the LTA role, and how you would enhance TA teaching preparation in the department.
2. A résumé, which clearly outlines your experience. Please note that “TA,” or “teacher” needs to be followed by a description of duties. Your résumé should also include a statement of when you intend to graduate from your program. This document should be a résumé, not an academic CV.
3. Names and contact information of three references who can attest to your suitability for the role outlined above as well as your ability to multitask and complete administrative duties successfully. It is preferred that one reference be from a supervisor for whom you have worked, one be from a student who can attest to your teaching abilities, and one from a peer TA. Please note formal letters of reference are not required, we only need the names and contact details of the three referees.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. An application does not ensure employment.

Territory Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Equity and Diversity statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity. Read our full equity statement here.

Accessibility statement

If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process, contact the Senior Academic Coordinator at econta@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Submission of application

Please send completed applications to Brooklynn Comish-Trimble, Senior Academic Coordinator, via e-mail with attachments to econta@uvic.ca by 4:30PM PT on June 24, 2024.