Adjunct - Earth Science

Northwestern Michigan College•Traverse City, MI

About The Position

The adjunct faculty member teaches Earth Science lectures and labs in the Environmental Science Department, in cooperation with other faculty. The role includes maintaining labs, equipment, and inventories, and assisting with course development and revision as needed. The instructor is part of the professional teaching staff responsible for implementing the mission of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and the Science/Math discipline. Teaching may include nights and weekends and may take place in online, accelerated, livestream, hybrid, or face-to-face formats. The instructor is responsible for effective teaching, including preparing and grading examinations and other learning activities, using current and emerging classroom and distance-learning technologies, coaching students to participate actively, applying varied assessment methods, providing course syllabi, and maintaining electronic gradebooks. The role also involves assessing student learning outcomes and improving instruction based on assessment results; maintaining course outlines and curriculum; keeping accurate academic records; meeting scheduled classes; reporting grades on time; and complying with college policies, training, review, and reporting requirements. Adjunct faculty are encouraged to engage in professional development and scholarship, attend college events and meetings, and participate in initiatives that support the College and community. The position is hired through the third-party staffing agency EduStaff; selected candidates must complete the requirements of both NMC and EduStaff.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher with at least 18 graduate credits in a field related to environmental science or the geosciences.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; respond to common inquiries or complaints; write speeches and articles in a prescribed style; and present information effectively to management, public groups, and boards.
Ability to work with probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry, and apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to apply logical or scientific reasoning to intellectual and practical problems, interpret complex nonverbal symbolism such as formulas, equations, and graphs, and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Knowledge of word-processing software, spreadsheet software, PowerPoint, email, Moodle, and internet software.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, reaching, talking, hearing, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and lifting up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Two years of college-level teaching experience in environmental science.
Teaching experience in a science- or math-related area.

Responsibilities

Teach Earth Science lectures and labs in the Environmental Science Department, in cooperation with other faculty.
Maintain laboratories, equipment, and inventories.
Assist with the development and revision of courses as needed.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations and other learning activities.
Use current and emerging technologies in distance learning and the classroom, and conduct classroom research using classroom assessment techniques.
Listen to students and coach them to participate actively in the learning process.
Use a variety of assessments to promote student demonstration of learning, such as exams, discussions, debates, presentations, simulations, and debriefings.
Provide course syllabi containing the College Syllabus information outlined in Moodle, and develop and distribute syllabi that follow approved criteria.
Maintain and regularly update the Moodle gradebook and/or other electronic grading systems.
Engage in learning and scholarship in the area of specialization as time allows.
Meet requirements for the adjunct review and performance review processes.
Attend required faculty training and comply with college policies, including ADA accommodations and FERPA requirements.
Report grades by college deadlines and keep accurate student academic records.
Meet classes at scheduled times and for the appropriate length of time.
Assess student learning outcomes and make improvements based on assessment results.
Develop and maintain course outlines for annual review and approval by the faculty supervisor or designee.
Complete teaching observations and provide class time for student feedback forms when needed to meet the College's response-rate standard.
Complete college reporting requirements due after the instructional period.
Develop course curriculum in preparation for the coming academic year.
Make a reasonable effort to participate in college and committee meetings, monitor and respond to college communications, and support College and community initiatives.
Respond to requests from academic chairs, department heads, committee chairs, the Records Office, and others in a timely and thorough manner.