Horticulture Instructor (PT)

Solano Community College•Fairfield, CA

About The Position

Solano Community College is recruiting part-time instructors to teach horticulture and agriculture science courses on an as-needed, ongoing basis. Assignments may be available in any horticulture area during any semester, including summer, with anticipated start months of August, January, and June. Courses may be scheduled during the day, evening, or weekends, and may be taught face-to-face at one of the college’s three main locations; some online teaching may also be available. Classes and instructor assignments may change or be canceled based on enrollment needs. The college is expanding offerings into correctional facilities and local high schools and anticipates hiring instructors with expertise in areas such as landscape design, estimation, irrigation, plant identification, soils and fertilizers, and pest control. The successful candidate will teach a variety of horticulture and agriculture science courses and use technology and active-learning strategies in classroom and laboratory instruction. Instruction must follow established course outlines and expectations. The instructor will prepare and grade assignments and examinations, assess student performance, maintain academic records, meet administrative deadlines, and submit required documents and reports. The role includes enforcing departmental safety rules and standards. Depending on the department’s review cycle, instructors may assess course- and program-level learning outcomes. Participation in division meetings and paid regular office hours are encouraged; participation in division meetings is compensated through the flexible professional development program. Horticulture and agriculture science students learn on the college’s five-acre field studies area at the Fairfield campus. The college is developing hydroponics greenhouse facilities as part of its program expansion. The college seeks student-oriented instructors committed to effective teaching, culturally responsive and strength-based approaches, continuous improvement, equity, and serving students from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are asked to describe their areas of expertise and interest in correctional education and/or local high school education in their cover letter. The work involves teaching indoors and outdoors, including work in classrooms, laboratories, offices, and the field experience area. The role requires significant technology use and communication by online meeting platforms, phone, and email. Physical activities may include bending and lifting, with the posting specifying lifting up to 50 pounds in the work-environment description and up to 40 pounds in the final qualifications section.

Requirements

Commitment to encouraging learning and an enthusiastic attitude toward student learning.
Sensitivity to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including students with disabilities and students with a wide range of abilities.
One of the following qualification paths: any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience in horticulture; any associate degree and six years of professional experience in horticulture; or a master’s degree in agriculture, agriculture science, education specializing in agriculture, or another agricultural area listed in the posting.
Degrees must be from accredited institutions.
Candidates whose degree does not exactly meet the stated minimum qualifications, or who do not have a college degree, must request an equivalency review and submit conclusive supporting documents at application.
Broad training with depth and breadth of knowledge in major areas of horticulture and/or agriculture.
Approachable personality and ability to use multiple teaching methods, including critical-thinking and problem-solving strategies.
Adherence to college academic requirements and standards, especially laboratory safety.
Initiative in co-curricular activities, special events, department or school meetings and projects, and professional growth activities, including college governance.
Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
Submit legible copies of transcripts for applicable degrees; submit a diploma as well if the degree award date is not shown on transcripts.
For foreign transcripts used to meet minimum qualifications, certification of equivalency to U.S. degree standards is recommended.
Finalists will undergo reference checks, and oral interviews will include a teaching demonstration.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in one or more of landscape design, estimation, irrigation, plant identification, soils and fertilizers, and pest control.
Interest in correctional education and/or local high school education.
Experience in horticulture or agriculture; the posting encourages all candidates with such experience to apply.
Ability to demonstrate a wide range of teaching strategies and strong academic background.
Interest in paid regular office hours and participation in division meetings and professional development.

Responsibilities

Teach a variety of horticulture and agriculture science courses in accordance with established curriculum, course outlines, and class schedules.
Use and expand technology use and active-learning strategies in classroom and laboratory instruction.
Follow, implement, and enforce departmental safety rules and standards.
Evaluate student performance and provide timely verbal and written assessments.
Create and maintain a learning environment that encourages discussion of ideas and critical thinking.
Inform students about course requirements.
Prepare and grade student assignments and examinations.
Maintain accurate academic records and evaluate student progress concerning educational matters.
Meet with students outside of class.
Maintain professional conduct and ethics and current knowledge in subject areas.
Meet administrative deadlines and submit required documents and reports.
Perform other program-related duties.
Assess course-level and program-level learning outcomes when required by the department’s review cycle.
Participate in division meetings, professional growth activities, co-curricular activities, special events, and department or school projects as applicable.
Provide paid regular office hours as encouraged by the collective bargaining agreement.