Instructor, Veterinary Communications in Professional Excellence (VCPE)

Job Description
Position Summary

The Department of Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University welcomes applications for a 12-month non-tenure track faculty appointment in Veterinary Communications at the rank of Instructor, Senior Instructor (Instructor series) or Assistant Professor (Professorial series). This faculty member will join the Veterinary Communication for Professional Excellence (VCPE) team. We welcome applications from communication scholars or healthcare professionals with exemplary communication and facilitation skills, passion for student-centered teaching and coaching, and strong interpersonal skills. The faculty member will be part of a two-person faculty team and implement the model veterinary communication curriculum alongside a robust team of instructors, coaches, and simulated clients. The CSU communication curriculum (https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vcpe/dvm-communication-curriculum/) is a nationally and internationally recognized model among veterinary colleges and has earned accolades from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education.

For full consideration, applications must be submitted through Workdayby 11:59pm (MST) on May 25, 2026. Email or mail-in applications will not be accepted. This position will be open until filled.

Work authorization visa sponsorship may be available based on the specific situation for the selected final candidate.

A signing bonus may be considered for successful candidates.
Essential Duties:

Teaching 55-65%

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Student Communication Coursework

• Collaborate with the VCPE team to provide instruction as the course coordinator, instructor, or coach in the communication curriculum.
• Collaborate in implementing and advancing the communication curriculum for in-house and University of Alaska Fairbanks DVM students.
• Assist in preparing course materials, recruiting coaches and simulated clients. This includes communicating with the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE) regarding the needs for simulated clients and addressing concerns should they arise regarding simulated client performance.
• Assist in coordinating additional training courses and workshops, some of which may be held in the evenings or during weekends.
• Balance creating a healthy, compassionate, and supportive environment, while setting clear expectations for student accountability.

Service and Outreach 20-25%

Continuing Education (FRANK and Communication Coaching Skills Workshops)

• Collaborate with the VCPE program director to coordinate, instruct, and coach for approximately 5 veterinary communication continuing education workshops annually. Some workshops are hosted in the evening or on weekends.
• Deliver professional development workshops for veterinary faculty, practitioner coaches, and simulated clients. Provide continued support, feedback, and sustain relationships with communication coaches and simulated clients.

Committee Service

• Serve on department, college, and university committees.

Consulting

• Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, individual, corporate, or large practice groups, and veterinary organizations to provide communication training.

Research 15-20%

• Balance creating a healthy, compassionate, and supportive environment, while setting clear expectations for student accountability.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Minimum Qualifications

Instructor

• A master's degree (MA, MS, or MPH) and applicable experience, or a Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DVM or equivalent, MD, or DNP) in interpersonal or health communication, veterinary, medical, or nursing education, learning and development or related field. Equivalent professional training or experience directly applicable to the role will be considered.

Senior Instructor

• A master's degree (MA, MS, or MPH) plus 3 years of applicable experience or a Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DVM or equivalent, MD, or DNP) and applicable experience in interpersonal or health communication, veterinary, medical, or nursing education, learning and development or related field, and convincing evidence of achieving excellence as a teacher. Equivalent professional training or experience directly applicable to the role will be considered.

Assistant Professor

• Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DVM or equivalent, MD, or DNP) and completion of specialty board certification or a post-doctoral research fellowship in higher education, professional development, healthcare settings or related fields. Equivalent professional training or experience assessing communication, clinical, or educational outcomes will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

All Ranks

• Content expertise in provider-patient or veterinarian-client-patient interactions.
• Familiarity with experiential learning, adult learning theory, reflective practice, and curriculum or workshop design.
• Student and relationship-centered epistemological approach.
• Ability to implement existing curriculum infrastructure.
• Facilitation skills, communication coaching, or workshop delivery.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.

Salary Range
Instructor $122,000-$137,000
Senior Instructor $145,000-$155,000
Assistant Professor $145,000-$155,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV
Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!