Adjunct Faculty - Earth Science

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 1,682,049 - 1,782,614; Part time

Job summary

A community college in Illinois invites applications for a part-time faculty position in Earth Science. Candidates should have a Master's degree in relevant fields and exhibit strong communication and teaching skills. Key responsibilities include creating course materials, delivering instruction, and evaluating student performance. Candidates must be committed to fostering an inclusive educational environment. Competitive pay based on experience, with opportunities for growth based on teaching performance.

Qualifications

• Effectively teach and engage students in a classroom setting.
• Utilize technology in teaching practices.
• Participate in professional development.

Responsibilities

• Create course syllabus and instructional materials.
• Deliver lectures and facilitate lab sessions.
• Maintain student performance records.

Skills

Strong communication

Cultural competence

Technological skills

Leadership qualities

Innovation in teaching

Education

Master's degree in earth science, geology, geography, meteorology, atmospheric science, or oceanography

18 graduate semester hours related to course assignment

Job description

Category: Adjunct Faculty

Subscribe:

Department: Academic Affairs

Locations: Des Plaines / Skokie, IL

Posted: Mar 2, 2026

Closes: Open Until Filled

Type: Part Time Faculty

Position ID: 197646

About Oakton College

Educate. Empower. Transform

At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive.

We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future.

We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston.

As a proud institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student‑centered culture.

Oakton College is looking to develop a pool of adjunct instructors to teach.

Job Description

Part‑time faculty are paid on a lecture hour equivalents (LHE) basis. For most courses, the LHE is the same as a credit hour. For others, the LHE represents additional work for teaching the class, such as grading papers for Composition classes or teaching a class with a laboratory section (computers, languages, and the sciences); in those cases, the LHE represents a figure higher than the credit hour. All part‑time faculty start at the beginning pay rates, regardless of the level and type of experience obtained elsewhere. For the 2025‑26 academic year rates are $1221/LHE for faculty without doctorates and $1294/LHE for faculty with doctorates.

Part‑time faculty advance one step within the salary schedule with the successful completion of 2 fall & spring semesters where 3+ LHEs are taught in each semester. Part‑time faculty are hired on a semester‑by‑semester basis. A reasonable effort is made to assure the assignment of courses to more senior part‑time faculty who are fully qualified by virtue of their education, training, work experience as related to current technology and pedagogical techniques, and who have had a history of successful performance at Oakton College. All assignments are conditioned on sufficient enrollment. Once a course starts, the part‑time faculty member is expected to complete the course.

Requirements

• Strong communicators and effective classroom facilitators who enjoy teaching in a student‑centered environment.
• Culturally competent, integrating and transforming knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services.
• Current and skilled in the use of evolving technologies, active in promoting critical thinking, and committed to challenging students to be knowledgeable, ethical, and capable global citizens.
• Enthusiastic faculty who are committed to innovation in college‑level teaching and learning and interested in non‑traditional delivery of instruction.
• Professionally competent, with strong leadership qualities, participation in professional development activities, and engagement in institutional and departmental service.
• Master's degree in earth science, geology, geography, meteorology, atmospheric science, or oceanography, with 18 graduate semester hours of coursework related to the course assignment.
• Preferred: College teaching experience; Doctoral degree in the same fields.

Essential Functions of the Position

• Construction of a course syllabus, consistent with the generic course syllabus that stipulates course objectives, content, and grading criteria.
• Preparation of course presentations and instructional materials for lecture, and laboratory and clinical functions (as appropriate).
• Delivery of instruction, including being prepared for and meeting courses and laboratories (if appropriate) at scheduled times.
• Consultation with and evaluation of students.
• Maintenance of clear records on student performance, as well as any other factors such as attendance involved with the grading of students.
• Compliance with departmental and institutional policies and procedures including but not limited to submission of midterm and final grades, keeping office hours, and decisions regarding instructional matters such as texts, assignments, and grading standards; also adhering to provisions of the AFA contract.
• Compliance with institutional procedures.

Additional Information

Oakton is looking for qualified Earth Science faculty to teach these courses:

• EAS100 - Introduction to Earth Science
• EAS101 - Physical Geology
• EAS121 - Physical Geography
• EAS125 - A Survey of Oceanography

Based on the needs of the college and with Administrator approval, some positions at the college may have a hybrid schedule option available after 30 working days.

Application Instructions

Please be sure to have a current resume, cover letter, and list of at least three (3) professional references with contact information prepared to submit with your application.

Oakton College conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law and in accordance with the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021.

Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice when it is determined that no additional applicants are required.

Oakton College does not utilize E‑Verify for employment eligibility verification.

For information regarding employment eligibility, please visit our employment at Oakton web page.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oakton College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.