Faculty, Biological Sciences

Hagerstown Community College; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hagerstown Community College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Biology faculty position within the Mathematical and Science division. The role focuses on high-quality instruction, student success, curriculum development, and service, with a 10-month contract and a 37.5-hour work week.

The successful candidate will teach biology courses (including introductory biology and related areas), participate in assessment, and support program growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a master's degree in biology, life sciences, physiology, biotechnology or closely related field; Ph.D. is a plus.
• Candidates should have foundational laboratory skills and be able to convey these skills to students.
• Experience with curriculum development, outcome assessment and data analysis is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Teach 15 credits per academic term with a heavy emphasis on student engagement and regular office hours.
• Engage in scholarship, professional development, and service aligned with college priorities.
• Contribute to assessment of student learning outcomes and curriculum development.
• Mentor adjunct faculty, participate in governance and community engagement.

Skills

Organizational skills

Advising

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Classroom management

LMS experience

Publisher-based learning content

Education

Master's degree in biology or related field

Ph.D. in Biology/Physiology (a plus)

Job description

SUMMARY STATEMENT

This full-time, tenure-track faculty position is responsible for providing high-quality, accessible instruction and supporting student success through excellence in teaching, professional development, scholarship, and service. Faculty members are expected to contribute to the mission and strategic goals of Hagerstown Community College (HCC) through instruction, assessment, curriculum development, student mentorship, shared governance, and community engagement. As exempt employees, faculty have an expected work week of 37.5 hours and maintain a significant campus presence during the entire 10-month contract period.

The faculty member serves within the Mathematics and Science division and contributes to the ongoing development, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Associate of Science, Biology concentration and related programs. The position includes responsibilities related to student learning outcomes assessment, curriculum development, adjunct faculty support, and institutional service.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

A. Faculty reports directly to the Division Director of the Mathematics and Science Division.

B. Faculty collaborates with the Division Director, Science faculty, other division colleagues, student support personnel, and other college stakeholders.

FACULTY ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. TEACHING – A faculty member is expected to prepare for and teach an assigned instructional load (15 credits in the fall and spring terms) with a minimum of 5 office hours per week. As part of their teaching duties, faculty are expected to:

• 1. Utilize effective instructional activities and strategies that support learning outcomes and promote effective engagement for student learning and achievement.
• 2. Develop methods of assessment that align with the learning outcomes at the course, program, general education, and institutional levels.
• 3. Utilize assessment results to support continuous improvement of instruction, curriculum, and student success initiatives to submit outcome assessment reports by the required deadlines.
• 4. Contribute to the continuous review, development, and improvement of curriculum. Faculty are expected to incorporate current disciplinary knowledge, emerging technologies, and evidence-based instructional practices into course content and delivery.
• 5. Maintain current course materials in the appropriate learning management repository and updating as needed to align with college expectations and all legal requirements (i.e., federal accessibility, etc.).
• 6. Provide clear effective communication by maintaining accessibility and regular, substantive interaction with students to ensure expectations are clearly conveyed and adequate feedback is provided on academic work.
• 7. Advocate and mentor students by fostering an inclusive learning environment, providing guidance and support as appropriate. Advise students regarding academic progress, program requirements, transfer opportunities, and career pathways by collaborating with appropriate college personnel (Advising, Learning Support Services, Career Services, Workforce Development, etc.).
• 8. Maintain accurate records of attendance and scholastic performance and submit all requirements (i.e., financial aid attendance, midterm/final grades, etc.) by required deadlines.

B. SCHOLARSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – A faculty member engages in ongoing professional development to maintain disciplinary expertise, enhance instructional effectiveness, support scholarship, and contribute to institutional priorities. Examples include but are not limited to:

• 1. Attend required New Faculty onboarding and training (i.e., New Faculty Orientation/Group Meetings, D2L/Technology training, Quality Matters, Teaching in the Community College).
• 2. Attend conferences, seminars or workshops that have received prior approval from appropriate administrative areas.
• 3. Create professional works or publications (i.e., articles, books, art or music performances, etc.).
• 4. Complete relevant graduate coursework or other professional trainings, internships, practical field work, etc.
• 5. Engage in other projects such as reviewing or editing publications, participating in professional organization discussions or peer partnerships projects.

C. SERVICE – A faculty member contributes to the college, profession, and community through meaningful service that supports the strategic goals and mission of the college. The extent and quality of such service are considered in promotion decisions. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• 1. Participate in departmental, divisional, and institutional committees (i.e., search committee, program review, accreditation, ad hoc or other shared governance groups).
• 2. Provide guidance and support to adjunct faculty to promote consistency in curriculum implementation, assessment practices, instructional quality, and student learning outcomes in alignment with the College's mission and goals.
• 3. Contribute to the promotion of the College's mission and strategic plan by providing time, expertise, or advisement for programming, initiative development, and student-centered activities that support outreach, enrollment, and retention (e.g., unit planning, grants, Open House, Career Fair events).
• 4. Serve as an ambassador for the College and their discipline by participating in activities that support and sustain partnerships between the college, community and external groups to promote community engagement or outreach.

FACULTY PROGRAM SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

In addition to the regular faculty responsibilities outline above, the Biological Sciences faculty will:

A. Teach daytime, evening and/or hybrid or online sections of lecture and/or laboratory courses to support divisional needs with a primary focus on:

• 1. Introductory Biology courses for majors or non-majors (BIO 106 Unity and Diversity of Living Things; BIO 113/114 Principles of Biology I and II sequence) or Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 110- Human Biology; BIO 116 Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health; BIO 203/204 Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence)
• 2. Other relevant courses (biotechnology, microbiology, nutrition, etc.) to support the enrollment and programs in the Mathematics and Science Division or other divisions, such as Health Sciences or Nursing.

B. Collaborate with course and program faculty, adjuncts and associated staff in the decision‑making processes needed for course material adoptions, curriculum review and revisions, content/course material creation, outcomes assessment and maintenance of online learning management system repositories and/or publisher‑based master course shells, to ensure consistent educational experiences that support student success/retention, career placement, articulation and/or transfer.

C. Provide input and suggestions as needed to support programming needs as part of the annual strategic and unit planning process needed to develop division goals, budgetary projections, equipment maintenance, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires a minimum of a master's degree in biology, life sciences, physiology, biotechnology or other closely related field such as biomedical sciences, kinesiology, or STEM education. A Ph.D. in Biology, Physiology or related field is a plus. Candidates must possess foundational laboratory skills related to program needs and be able to convey these skills and methodologies to students. Experience in a clinical or research setting related to introductory or molecular biology, anatomy & physiology, biotechnology or microbiology is a plus. Experience with curriculum development, outcome assessment and data analysis, and/or grant writing/management is very desirable.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Preference will be given to candidates with recent teaching experience at the undergraduate or community college level. Candidates must possess strong organizational, advising, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Strong instructional and classroom management skills are required. Candidates should have experience with online learning management systems and publisher-based learning content.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Normal office environment. Considerable flexibility is necessary to attend student needs.