Term Assistant Professor of Justice

The University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center invites applications for an Anchorage-based, full-time, term-funded appointment, commencing in January 2025 or August 2025, at the rank of Assistant Professor. The appointment period is nine months, from August to May, each academic year.

This position is responsible for teaching in American Bar Association approved Legal Studies programs and providing service to the University, community, and profession. To accomplish these responsibilities, this position will be expected to organize and teach undergraduate legal and legal specialty skills courses and to perform other faculty duties assigned by the director which may include curriculum development, service on University and public committees, serving as liaison with the professional community, student advising and professional governance processes. Since 1992, the American Bar Association has approved UAA to provide professional training for careers as paralegals in both the public and private sectors and to train paralegals who are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. In 2012, the ABA approved the expansion of the UAA program to include a broader Legal Studies BA, as well as an AAS and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

This position will support the Legal Studies program goals of assisting students to develop (1) broad-based knowledge achieved through general college education (2) exceptionally strong competency in critical thinking and in written and oral communication skills, (3) clear understanding of the rules of ethics governing American judges, lawyers, and paralegals, (4) comprehensive legal vocabulary and understanding of judicial processes, (5) operational knowledge of legal investigatory and discovery techniques, (6) command of skills required for legal research, critical analysis, and technical drafting, (7) knowledge of theories of law, historical influences on the development of law, and fundamental principles of substantive law, and (8) appreciation for the role of law in the allocation of public resources and regulation of social and economic relationships. The standard instructional workload is four courses per semester.

Exceptionally strong competencies in critical thinking and written and oral communication; knowledge of theories of law, historical influences on the development of law, and fundamental principles of substantive law; knowledge of the role of law in the allocation of
public resources and regulation of social and economic relationships; comprehensive understanding of legal ethics; knowledge of legal processes; operational knowledge of the interviewing and investigatory techniques; command of skills required for legal research and drafting; knowledge of a variety of legal specialties; ability to develop practical opportunities in a law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity that allow students direct application of classroom skills.
 
Must be comfortable working in a cooperative and organized setting with diverse students, faculty, public officials, practitioners, and others.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association as of the degree date, be a member in good standing of the Alaska Bar Association or of the bar association of another state, have a minimum of three years' experience in the practice of law, and have worked with or as a paralegal or other nonlawyer legal professional.

Position Details:

This position is located on the on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a full-time, 9-month, term-funded,  faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package, with an expected start date in January 2025. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, faculty time off (FTO), 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Faculty salaries are based on a variety of factors, including education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on 10/01/2024, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on 09/30/2024.

Please include the following with your application:

• Cover Letter (Candidates should include a description of previous activities representing, working with, or mentoring minorities, individuals with disabilities, women, or members of other underrepresented groups.)
• References (3) Note: at least one reference must be related to the applicant’s practice as a lawyer.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resumé
• Writing Sample
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (Candidates should include a description of how multicultural issues have been or will be brought into their courses.)
• Certificate of Good Standing in a state bar association.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bradley Myrstol, AJiC Director, at bamyrstol@alaska.edu.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.