Public Health Sciences Teaching Assistant
Hiring Policies and Procedures

Preamble:

This document outlines the process for all Teaching Assistant (TA) assignments in the Graduate Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS), and all TA assignments for undergraduate courses for which PHS has responsibility.

Definitions:

PHS Teaching Assistant Hiring Committee

The PHS Teaching Assistant Hiring Committee includes the Graduate Coordinator, the Teaching Assistant Coordinator, the Graduate Program Administrator, and selected faculty. This Committee makes final hiring decisions for both posted positions and subsequent appointments.

Description of Duties and Allocation of Hours Form (DDAH)

The DDAH form outlines the specific duties to be performed by the TA and the number of hours assigned to each duty. The form should also include any training to be completed (i.e., TATP for new TA’s) and scheduled meetings with the instructor(s).

Subsequent Appointment

A “subsequent appointment” is an allocation of TA Hours (not specific courses) that are normally owed to a Ph.D. student following the receipt of an initial appointment. In the subsequent appointment process, students do not apply for positions, but are assigned TA positions by the PHS Teaching Assistant Hiring Committee in accordance with their entitlement under the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. Subsequent appointments are assigned before TA postings are made available for round applications.

Open Round Positions

Open round positions are TA positions posted after all subsequent appointments are assigned. The open round positions are available to all applicants who meet the Unit 1 eligibility criteria.

Emergency Positions

Emergency positions are posted in the event that a position becomes vacant unexpectedly (e.g., an unanticipated change in course enrolment; the TA assigned elects not to take up the position or becomes unable to do so, etc.).  Emergency positions are available to all applicants who meet the Unit 1 eligibility criteria.


Step 1: TA Support for Courses  

For courses with previous TA support, and where courses have tutorial sessions noted in the timetable, TA support will be assigned for the upcoming academic year. Instructors of other courses should contact the TA Coordinator to inquire about obtaining support. Generally, expected course enrollment should be at least 30 students consistently each Academic Year to be considered for TA support, but all requests will be considered on a case-by case basis.

Step 2: Posting of Open and Emergency Positions

Fall term TA postings will be made available on or before June 30. Winter term TA postings will be made available on or before October 31. TA positions will be posted in accordance with Article 16:01 of the CUPE 3902, Unit 1 Collective Agreement. Please note: The need to acquire experience will be the default Relevant Criterion for all PHS TA Job postings.

Procedure:

  • Instructors will be consulted in the preparation of the posting to confirm the qualifications required and the duties to be performed. This information must be received prior to the creation of job posting.
  • By June 30 for the Fall term, October 31 for the Winter term, Open Round postings will be posted as follows:
  • Notices shall remain posted for at least fifteen (15) working days before such positions may be filled.
  • For each position of interest, applicants will submit the following documents though the TA Opportunities website:
    • Cover letter
    • V.
    • Transcript(s)
  • After June 30/October 31, Emergency positions will be posted, as necessary.
  • Emergency postings will follow the same procedure as Open Round postings, except Emergency positions may be filled after posting for fewer than fifteen (15) working days, but not fewer than two (2) working days. 

Step 3: TA Posting Adjudication  

Course instructors will be consulted in the TA selection process to provide input on the assessment of applicants. Their input will be provided to the PHS TA Hiring Committee for consideration, along with the remainder of the hiring criteria.

Procedure:

  • Instructors may vet TA applications submitted through the TA Opportunities website.
  • Instructors must submit their input of all applicants through the website by the deadline provided by the TA Coordinator.

TA Hiring Committee Adjudication

The Committee will meet to review applications, along with the instructor’s input, and will appoint TA’s to courses. TAs are selected based on the Hiring Criteria of the CUPE 3902 Collective Agreement, Article 16:03, and Relevant Criterion noted on the job posting.

 

                                                                                                                                    29 July 2022