Instructor, Department of Agriculture

Fort Hays State University•Hays, KS

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Instructor of Agriculture will provide high-quality instruction, student mentoring, and academic support while advancing departmental initiatives related to curriculum development, workforce preparation, experiential learning, and industry engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to student-centered teaching and advising, fostering an engaging learning environment that promotes student success, professional growth, and career readiness. This position is intentionally broad in scope to provide instructional flexibility across multiple agricultural disciplines, including agronomy, agricultural business, agricultural communication, agricultural education, agricultural leadership, and animal science. The successful candidate will help strengthen existing academic programs while contributing to the development of innovative educational pathways, certificates, micro-credentials, and workforce-focused learning opportunities that align with industry needs. Teaching responsibilities will be assigned based on departmental needs and the successful candidate’s qualifications, expertise, and professional experience. The position requires strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and community stakeholders; and a demonstrated commitment to experiential learning, applied education, and meaningful engagement with the agricultural industry. Through classroom instruction, mentorship, and outreach, the instructor will play an important role in preparing students for successful careers and leadership within the agricultural and natural resource industries.

Requirements

Master's degree in Agriculture or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Demonstrated ability to teach in two or more agricultural disciplines relevant to departmental needs.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Agriculture or a closely related discipline.
Professional experience within the agricultural industry.
Teaching experience at the collegiate level.
Experience with online instruction and course development.
Experience in agricultural leadership, communications, workforce development, extension, or outreach programming.
Experience developing certificates, workforce training programs, or micro-credentials.
Evidence of collaboration across disciplines and organizations.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in assigned agricultural disciplines.
Deliver instruction in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats.
Maintain high standards of teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
Advise and mentor students regarding academic and career goals.
Participate in curriculum assessment and continuous improvement efforts.
Support student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives.
Assist with development and revision of agricultural curricula.
Support expansion of professional certificates and micro-credential programs.
Contribute to interdisciplinary course development and innovative instructional models.
Help restore and rotate specialized agronomy and agricultural business courses as program needs dictate.
Build relationships with agricultural industry partners, producers, agencies, and organizations.
Support experiential learning opportunities including internships, applied projects, and workforce development activities.
Participate in outreach activities that enhance departmental visibility and student opportunities.
Assist with Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) initiatives and workforce training programs.
Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities.
Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to support academic and workforce development initiatives.
Engage with advisory boards and external stakeholders to ensure program relevance and responsiveness to industry needs.