Posting Number:	0603847
Position Title:	Astronomy Instructor
Position is:	Regular full-time
Position Type:	Faculty Position (Full Time/Part Time)
Department/Ofc.:	Instruction
Position Description:	Why Join WCC? An inclusive, welcoming environment for our students, faculty & staff Affordable & Comprehensive Health, Dental, Life & Vision Insurance WCC Tuition paid for you AND your dependents Check our Total Rewards here Position Summary: The Professional Faculty Astronomy role is a full-time faculty position that includes instruction, office hours and professional contributions to the college community to create an innovative and engaging learning environment. Position may also require teaching physics courses. Position-Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities Primary teaching duties will be in astronomy with additional teaching opportunities in physics. This includes assessing and regularly updating course and syllabus in accordance with the WCC curriculum and assessment guidelines, as well as maintaining and updating the LMS sites for all modalities in accordance with the WCC CiTL guidelines. This also includes onboarding, training, and mentoring part-time and adjunct faculty. Initial assignment includes serving as faculty lead for the following course: AST 111: General Astronomy Instruction and Student Learning Using each master syllabi, facilitate student learning, provide effective instruction in on-campus and online/virtual modalities, and perform evaluations of student learning. Be committed to teaching and learning across all modalities, which includes following pedagogical standards for quality course development/instruction. Connect course material to real-world applications to enhance student engagement and understanding. Evaluate student performance fairly and provide timely feedback. Curriculum Development & Program Improvement Collaborate with faculty to update, plan, and develop course materials, curricula, and assessments to align with educational or industry needs. Participate in program-level learning assessment, including articulating learning outcomes and recommending improvements. Lead initiatives in curriculum innovation, including open educational resources (OER) and emerging trends. Provide leadership in identifying trends and working with other faculty to develop new curriculum to address these trends. Technology & Instructional Support Integrate technology into teaching, including Canvas Learning Management System, videos, presentations, and other tools to enhance learning. Stay current on pedagogical and technological advancements through professional development and training. Mentor part-time faculty to ensure instructional consistency. Student Support & Advising Maintain availability to students via email, phone, or personal conferences on-campus and online. Support student internships, field experiences, job placement, and transfer initiatives as appropriate. Advise students on course selection, registration, career paths, and academic concerns. Collaboration & College Engagement Work with administrators, advisory committees, and colleagues on marketing/recruitment initiatives and industry partnerships. Participate in department, division, and general faculty meetings, applicable college committee activities, and other forms of college service. Assist with program-level events, recruiting efforts, and campus tours. Professional Development & Industry Engagement Maintain technical expertise by attending professional conferences and completing necessary certifications or training. Actively participate in advisory committee work, if applicable, to connect students with career opportunities. Participate in college professional development activities. Administrative Responsibilities Maintain accurate student records, including grades and attendance, in compliance with college policies and FERPA. Manage program articulation agreements and relationships with transfer institutions. Complete assigned administrative tasks such as scheduling, paperwork, and course assessments. Other duties as assigned by the Dean. Hours/Schedule: Hours vary based on class schedules. Professional Instructors shall be responsible for a total of 450 contact hours per academic year. Each instructor is expected to be on campus at least four (4) days per week. If more than 25% of an instructor’s base load contact hours are taught via distance learning (DL) and/or in a virtual format, the instructor is expected to be on campus for a minimum of three (3) days per week. All professional instructors have a year-round professional responsibility to the College. The professional instructor’s base load responsibilities shall consist of (1) teaching/teaching preparation; (2) development and review (including curriculum, teaching methods, learning technologies); (3) department and institutional work (such as student outcomes assessment, curricular improvement), (4) student recruitment and student guidance, and (5) professional development. An example of a typical professional faculty schedule for the Fall and/or Winter semester is below. Base Load Assignment for Full Time Professional Faculty Professional instructors will hold a minimum of five (5) office hours per week \| 5 Professional instructors shall be available for five (5) hours per week for meetings \| 5 Professional instructors shall be accountable for fifteen (15) preparation hours per week \| 15 Professional instructor shall be accountable for fifteen (15) hours of classroom instruction per week \| 15 Professional Faculty – 40-hour work week \| 40 Commitment to Professional Responsibilities—Faculty must make the work at WCC the primary work in their lives. Faculty must work well and hard to meet the goals of the College. Being a professional faculty member at Washtenaw Community College is a year-round responsibility which includes curriculum development, professional improvement and development, and other professional responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications:	Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Earned Master’s degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or Space Science OR master’s degree in a related field with minimum of 18 graduate credits in the above disciplines required. Two years of teaching experience
Preferred Qualifications:	Additional Preferred Qualifications: Teaching experience at the community college level. Experience with Canvas
Posting Date:	03/30/2026
Closing Date:	04/27/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicants:	Our college strives to make a positive difference in people’s lives through accessible and excellent educational programs and services. Washtenaw Community College seeks to recruit and retain a productive workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve our community and to build on the success of our students, faculty & staff. Washtenaw Community College is committed to creating a welcoming environment. Washtenaw Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary/Hourly Rate:	$71,424 - $93,189
Salary Comments:	Publicly available compensation information can be found: Here

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