Full/Associate/Assistant Professor of Game Design

Job Description:

The Division of Communication and Creative Media at Champlain College seeks a dynamic interdisciplinarian with a background in games and interactive media for a Full/Associate/Assistant Professor of Game Design. The Game Design major is a design program focused on the concepting, prototyping, documenting, and creation of 2D and 3D games.  We are seeking a scholar/professional who is passionate about games and other forms of immersive media.

This successful candidate will develop and teach courses within Game Design and in collaboration with our successful Game Studio programs, a cohort of seven game programs: Game Art, Game Business and Publishing, Game Design, Game Production Management, Game Programming,  Game Sound Design, and Interactive Narrative, and will support students in learning: 

• Human-centered design 
• How people and their environments interact and are enabled, supported, and augmented by design and engagement in games and other interactive media. 
• Integration of analog and digital knowledge, tools, methods and creative processes from design, humanities, social sciences. 
• Fundamentals of technology as they intersect with play and creativity. 
• Use of games and other interactive media in discipline-specific interventions. 
• Collaborative development of digital, interactive media. 
• Knowledge of the impact of technology on people, societies, and the environment.  

The Game Design major at Champlain College is one of the oldest and most successful Game Design programs in the country, graduating its first class in 2008. Graduates of the program are represented at most major AAA studios as well as founders of numerous indie studios. 

The successful candidate will teach a wide range of courses related to game design and will be fluent in the game development process and the various roles within the process-particularly that of the designer. They will need in-engine experience and feel comfortable learning new technologies. The typical teaching load is four courses per semester and will work closely with the Program Director. 

Champlain College has small class sizes that optimize instructor-student interaction with hands-on projects that translate theory into practice. Because the College is entrepreneurial and market-driven, its academic programs respond to industry dynamics. Consequently, the College particularly values industry and other practical experience for its faculty. 

As part of The Game Studio at Champlain College, the successful candidate will need to be highly collegial and collaborative with faculty from other programs.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a Masters or terminal degree in relevant discipline.  However, consideration will be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree plus gaming industry experience.

Qualifications:

Desired skills include professional level expertise in one or more of the following areas related to game design: 

• Have gone through the development process more than once. Concept through shipping a title.
• Experience in scripting languages.
• Knows how to effectively collaborate with other designers to create a game.
• Competent in design documentation practices, including visual design and modern communication tools.
• Familiar with level design, system design and gameplay design.
• Knowledge of version control tools: git, subversion, perforce, etc.

Nice to Have: 

• Expertise in the social impact of games and other interactive media. 
• Expertise in user-centered design principles. 
• Expertise in the use of games in a range of serious applications such as health, education, and simulation. Expertise in the use of gamification in non-gaming applications. 
• Expertise in user research and game psychology. 
• Higher education teaching or mentoring experience. 
• Relevant industry experience in a creative role. 
• Development of a game or interactive media for research or publication. 
• Team leadership and curriculum development. 
• Experience in emerging technologies like XR. 

Additional Information:

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co-curricular and other College-administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees. Please contact the People Center at 802.651.5800 with questions concerning the hiring process or future employment at Champlain College, or if auxiliary aids or services are needed to apply for employment at Champlain College.

Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Recognizing that diversity is both a reflection of our world and a source of rich education, Champlain strives to be diverse and inclusive in ways that reflect the world in which we live and work. All members of the Champlain community are valued as individuals.

Application Instructions:

Application materials must include a resume/CV and a letter of interest (Cover Letter) specifically addressing the desired qualifications. The College seeks candidates who, through their work and life experiences, service to the community, teaching or research can contribute to the diversity, inclusivity and academic excellence of Champlain College. Please include information about how you would contribute to these efforts and help to further this goal in your letter of interest/cover letter.

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