Biology / Environmental Science - Adjunct Faculty

Oakton College; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 1,723,377 - 1,826,697; Part time

Job summary

Oakton College seeks part-time adjunct faculty in Des Plaines, IL to teach biology courses. Responsibilities include syllabus construction, delivering lectures, and evaluating student performance. Applicants should be strong communicators and skilled in promoting student-centered learning in a culturally competent environment.

The college values innovation and effective use of evolving technologies in non-traditional delivery of instruction. Faculty are hired per semester with pay rates per LHE.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology, or Master's degree in biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in biology, and relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Strong communication

Effective classroom facilitation

Critical thinking

Cultural competence

Technology use

Education

Master's degree in biology

Master's degree in biology education

Doctoral degree in biology or related

Job description

Location: Des Plaines / Skokie / Evanston, IL
Category: Adjunct Faculty
Job Type: Part Time Faculty
Posted On: Mon Jul 20 2026

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 2026-27 academic year rates are $1251/LHE for faculty without doctorates and $1326/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.

Applicants must be strong communicators and effective classroom facilitators who enjoy teaching in a student-centered environment.

Oakton especially values candidates committed to working in a culturally competent environment. Cultural competence integrates and transforms 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.

Applicants should be current and skilled in their use of evolving technologies, active in promoting critical thinking, and committed to challenging our students to be knowledgeable, ethical, and capable global citizens. Oakton seeks enthusiastic faculty who are committed to innovation in college-level teaching and learning and interested in non-traditional delivery of instruction. The College expects faculty to be professionally competent, have strong leadership qualities, participate in professional development activities, and engage in institutional and departmental service.

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.

Job Requirements

Master's degree in biology, one of the biological sciences and relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years, or Master's degree in biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in biology, and relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years.

Preferred

• Teaching experience at an educational institution.
• Doctoral degree in biology, one of the biological sciences, or biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in ecology, zoology, botany, evolution, restoration ecology or environmental science courses.
• Masters degree in Biology with 18 or more graduate credit hours in ecology, zoology, botany, evolution, or environmental science courses.
• Masters degree in Zoology, Botany, or Ecology.

Additional Information

• Bio 103 A survey of ecology
• Bio 106 Introduction to Environmental Science
• Bio 107 Ecological Restoration

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

Equal Opportunity Employer