Associate Instructor Online Education

GIA (Gemological Institute of America); Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Life insurance

Commuter benefits

Tuition assistance

On-site cafe and other amenities

Job summary

GIA in Carlsbad, California, is seeking a dynamic instructor to deliver Gemology courses across Pearls, Diamonds, Colored Stones and Gem ID. The role blends in-person and online teaching within our hybrid schedule, with responsibilities spanning class instruction and student outcomes.

The ideal candidate holds a Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA, a High School diploma, and at least 3 years of gemology experience; teaching ability and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma and GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma required.
• Minimum 3 years of trade experience in gemology or related field.
• Teaching or mentoring experience is preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Chinese is desirable.
• Willingness to travel to other locations and shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver instruction for Pearls, Diamonds, Colored Stones and Gem ID courses.
• Post announcements and prompts in Brightspace.
• Provide and return graded assignments and feedback by email.
• Teach Online Education Gemology Program and other courses.
• Assist students with LMS usage and gem identification equipment guidance.

Skills

Gemology knowledge

English proficiency

Teaching / instructional skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA

High School diploma

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Brightspace LMS

Jenzabar

Job description

The Company:

GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA is a global organization with headquarters located in Carlsbad, CA. GIA in Carlsbad boasts a 17-acre ocean view campus that accommodates approximately 600 of its 3,000 total employees worldwide. It offers many competitive health and commuter benefits that promote the well-being of its employees as well as that of the environment.

The Location:

Overlooking the iconic Flower Fields & Pacific Ocean, this position is located in Carlsbad, California at our corporate headquarters. We offer a hybrid schedule with 3 days in the office (subject to change), provided if metrics such as productivity and the quality of the deliverables are achieved.

The Environment:.

• On-site cafe - affordable custom breakfast and lunch meals and Starbucks drinks!
• Economic friendly services - electric vehicle charging stations on-site

The Culture:

At GIA, our people are at the center of everything we do. We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and curiosity, where teams learn from one another, celebrate successes and grow together while doing meaningful work with real impact.

We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to contribute their best. That commitment extends to employee well-being, with robust benefits tailored by location, including medical insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, life insurance and more.

Passionate people coming together with a shared purpose—that’s life at GIA.

What to expect:

• We offer competitive medical, dental, vision and matching 401-K plans (no vesting required)
• Paid vacation, sick and holidays, tuition assistance, commuter benefits

JOB OVERVIEW

Provides instruction for assigned classes, courses, or lab classes and guides student outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates and presents course material reviews via Zoom and PowerPoint for Pearls, Diamonds, Colored Stones and Gem ID courses.
• Utilizes Brightspace to post timely announcements and discussion board prompts.
• Receives, corrects and processes student assignments and examinations. Provides written results and feedback to students by email via Brightspace.
• Instructs students in Online Education Gemology Program and ancillary courses in person and via telephone, Zoom and e-mail.
• Provides and assists students in navigating and using Learning Management System (LMS)/Brightspace for virtual classroom learning.
• Performs various assignments relating to the updating of education stone sets, key cards, course materials, notes, etc., on the Carlsbad campus.
• Assists students in proper usage of gemological identification equipment (i.e., microscope, refractometer, tweezers, polariscope, dichroscope, etc.); also assists students in understanding course content by using texts and other resource materials, and explaining information in simple and understandable language.
• Initiates student support, provides advice, and motivation to Online Education students to assist them in successfully completing their course work.
• Collaborates with other instructors and staff to develop and continuously improve education delivery methods.
• Manages student workroom setup (e.g., gathering of materials, managing equipment / materials appropriately, etc.).
• Ensures administrative student workroom responsibilities are completed in a timely manner (e.g., attendance, assessments, posting grades, documentation, etc.).
• May participate in student orientation and/or graduation activities, as needed.
• May support other functional areas, as needed.
• May be required to travel and teach in other locations or work various shifts, as needed.
• Stays current with industry trends (follows industry publications, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• In-depth knowledge of gemstones, diamonds, gem identification equipment, and understanding of the jewelry industry.
• Ability and willingness to meet all minimum requirements mandated by federal, state, local, accrediting, and other regulatory bodies to be a GIA Instructor.
• Professional Development: Meets annual professional development requirements as defined by management.
• Knowledge: Sound industry gemological knowledge
• Language skills: ability to read, comprehend and follow standard procedures or instruction (proficiency in reading, writing and speaking in English required)
• Communication skills: ability to communicate complex info in a simplified and clear manner; can communicate effectively with students on achievement or lack of achievement of goals, able to develop and modify communication strategies to deliver difficult messages to students.
• Interpersonal skills: ability to create positive interactions with students; actively communicates with co-workers, students or with management in a timely & professional manner; maintains collaborative working relationship with others and peers to improve student performance
• Personal accountability: continually improves performance; takes personal accountability for decisions, actions & outcomes
• Time management / organizational skills: Manages time and priorities appropriately - approaches work in an organized and systematic manner. Able to monitor student progress (strengths / weaknesses) in an effort to meet student needs
• Strong computer skills (MS Office, email, etc., Jenzabar and/or Brightspace preferred)
• Flexibility: able to adapt to change, able to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail. Able to adapt learning styles to meet student needs. Able to travel and/or work alternative shifts as needed.
• Conflict resolution: able to settle differences in productive ways while minimizing disruptions. Ability to communicate and enforce policies via email, Zoom, phone and in the classroom (willingness to confront issues)
• Teamwork: Ability to communicate and collaborate well with cross-functional and supporting departments (facilities, admissions, education technology, etc.)
• Maintains & fosters sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity in and out of the classroom
• Decision quality and problem solving: identify potential problems, articulate / classify issues and able to determine next steps; apply sound analytical and reasoning skills during the problem-solving process; analyze the data gathered and reach a solution or provide a summary for a management decision when required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School diploma, Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA and 3+ years of trade experience required.

The following is desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Additional related training (GJ, JDT, FGA, etc.)
• Retail management experience
• 2+ years of teaching, mentoring or training experience
• Experience with a Learning Management System (LMS)
• Bilingual in Spanish or Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT (if applicable)

• Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.
• Extensive use of office equipment to include computer, calculator, copier, and other business related machines and software release is a violation of Company policy.

Pay:

$75,100

An Equal Opportunity Employer

All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Disclaimer:

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.