Biology Instructor

North Country Community College; Town of Harrietstown (NY); On-site; USD 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in New York seeks a full-time biology instructor to teach a variety of courses and provide academic advising. Candidates should have a Master's degree in a related field and instructional experience. The position offers a salary range of $49,000-$52,000, based on experience and education level. Instructors will engage in shared governance and contribute to departmental activities.

Qualifications

• Instructional experience is required, with community college-level preferred.
• Three to five years of instruction is preferred.
• Knowledge of student advising is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Instruct general science and biology courses, primarily anatomy and physiology.
• Advise students in degree programs such as Liberal Arts, Environmental Science, and Health Sciences.
• Participate in College governance and service activities.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Instructional knowledge, skills, and abilities

Education

Master’s Degree in Biology, General Science, or a related field

Job description

Overview

North Country Community College (NCCC) is a small community college located in the Adirondack State Park in Northern New York. The main campus is in Saranac Lake with additional campuses in Malone and Ticonderoga. The College focuses on a liberal arts education as a foundation for any degree program, offering numerous majors and several occupational programs. Classes are relatively small, providing opportunities for close academic and advising relationships with each student.

General Job Description: A full-time biology instructor at NCCC teaches approximately five (5) courses, 15 credit hours, per semester. Lab instruction is generally part of the workload and is included in this total. Instructors should be able to teach in person, hybrid, video-conferencing and online formats and are expected to learn and use a course management system to support their courses. Class sizes typically range from 24-40 students in lecture courses and 20-24 in labs. Instructors are expected to participate in the work of the Science Department, provide extensive academic advising to all students on the instructor’s advisee list, and participate in College committee work as part of shared governance. Instructors are members of a collective bargaining unit and work under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The academic work year is 164 days.

This position will be based on the Malone, New York campus and may involve instructional duties at at least one other campus.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Instruct Science offerings at a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year at a maximum of two of the College’s three locations (Saranac Lake, Malone, and Ticonderoga). Instruction of more than thirty credit hours results in extra compensation (per the CBA).
2. Be available for, and provide a minimum of five (5) office hours per week for student advisement and remediation.
3. Learn and use the College’s Learning Management System to support course offerings, including communicating with classes, posting course-related documents, and tracking and submitting grades. Training to support learning the system will be provided by the College.
4. Perform as an academic advisor which includes scheduling of classes, review of degree audits and progress, schedule changes, referral to additional resources within the College, and other advisement-related functions deemed necessary to keep each advisee on track facilitating retention.
5. Contribute meaningfully to the life of the Science Department, including attending and participating in departmental meetings, course and program development and assessment activities including course-level, general education and program assessment.
6. Review, refine and update course syllabi and course outlines on a regular basis in concert with departmental colleagues and chair.
7. Work closely with the College Registrar and Records Office staff concerning registration and scheduling of students, course section add/drops, mid-term and final grade submission, and other requests that occur outside of the academic year.
8. Serve on College committees and participate in College Governance.
9. Contribute and participate in outside activities to help promote goodwill and service.
10. Develop with supervisor and maintain a professional growth plan.
11. Remain current and up-to-date in all areas within the biology and environmental science discipline.
12. Order appropriate supplies, textbooks and other instructional-related materials in a timely and economically-sound fashion taking into account student need and budgetary constraints.
13. Conduct oneself in a professional manner promoting good relations with College employees, students, parents, local community members, jurisdictional representatives, and visitors.
14. Maintain an awareness of, and function within, the current requirements of the NCCC Rights and responsibilities, Equity Action Plan and Drug Awareness Plan, and other related employment requirements as outlined in the current NCCCAP Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
15. Be cognizant of and maintain appropriate behavior as outlined in all College policies.
16. Perform other duties as assigned by the department chair, or College officer.

Principle Performance Requirements:

1. Instruct general science and related biology courses, primarily anatomy and physiology and general biology lectures and labs.
2. Advise students in a variety of degree programs including Liberal Arts, Environmental Science, and Health Sciences.
3. Work with departmental colleagues to routinely update, enhance, and expand the science offerings in support of the academic programs at the College.
4. Participate in the life of the College including involvement in shared governance and other areas of service.
5. Effectively work with diverse groups across the College community.
6. Possess and exercise strong written and verbal communications skills as well as strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications for the Job:

1. Education: Master’s Degree in Biology, General Science, or a related field required.
2. Experience: Instructional experience is required, and community college-level instruction is preferred. Three (3) to five (5) years of instruction preferred.
3. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
4. Strong interpersonal skills.
5. Instructional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
6. Knowledge of student advising.
7. Responsiveness, timeliness, and professionalism.

Salary Information: Salary range is $49,000-$52,000/year and is based on experience and level of education.

Non-Discrimination Statement: North Country Community College does not discriminate. We embrace and encourage the celebration of differences and affirm the rights of individuals guaranteed by state and federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. We reject all manifestations of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, self-identified sex, gender identity or expression, status of being transgender, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, carrier status, military or U.S.

Note: The original listing includes additional sections such as Seniority level, Employment type, Job function and Industries which are not necessary for this refined description. The essential responsibilities and qualifications above reflect the role.