Physics/Astronomy Instructor

San Mateo County Community College District; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Retirement plan (State Teachers')

Life insurance & salary continuance

Job summary

San Mateo County Community College District seeks an astronomy instructor to teach both lecture and lab courses at the College of San Mateo. You will operate and maintain a planetarium and related equipment, assist in curriculum development, and mentor students during office and lab hours.

The role emphasizes observational research guidance, committee participation, and active involvement in community outreach to extend learning beyond campus.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse student backgrounds.
• Commitment to equity-minded practice in teaching and learning.
• Strong knowledge of astronomy concepts and instructional practices.
• Experience with reflecting on pedagogy and its effects.

Responsibilities

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy.
• Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD cameras, and other laboratory equipment.
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development.
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours.
• Lead students in observational research.
• Serve as a member of division and college committees.
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and institutional needs.
• Organize and participate in community-focused outreach events.

Skills

Teaching astronomy

Student motivation

Communication

Teamwork

Pedagogy reflection

Planetarium operation

Outreach experience

Writing across curriculum

Telescopes

Effective communication

Education

Advanced degree in physics/astronomy

Tools

Planetarium software

CCD cameras

Job description

Duties And Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy
• Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD cameras, and other laboratory equipment
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours
• Lead students in observational research
• Serve as a member of division and college committees
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and general institutional needs
• Organize and participate in community-focused outreach events

Campus

College of San Mateo

Duties And Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy
• Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD cameras, and other laboratory equipment
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours
• Lead students in observational research
• Serve as a member of division and college committees
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and general institutional needs
• Organize and participate in community-focused outreach events

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge Of

• Successful teaching techniques that engage students in their learning, motivate students to develop higher-order thinking skills, and ensure consistent and appropriate monitoring of student progress
• Instructional strategies designed for diverse learning styles and academic goals
• Computer-based and the latest technology relevant to teaching astronomy; commitment to and willingness to expand its use
• Current astronomy concepts and effective instructional practices, with a commitment to staying current with developments in the field

Skills And Abilities

• Academic preparation for or successful experience in teaching astronomy at the community college or university level
• Commitment to the teaching profession, its goals, and ideals
• Enthusiasm for, understanding of, and commitment to the role and purpose of the community college
• The capacity to reflect on and evaluate one's pedagogy and to examine its effects critically
• Skill and experience in motivating students from a broad spectrum of academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds and varying abilities, including communicating effectively and constructively
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken language
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to the SMCCCD goal of integrating writing across the curriculum
• Experience with:
• reflectors, refractors, and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes;
• setting up and using a solar telescope;
• the operation of a planetarium and its application to teaching.
• Evidence of, and commitment to involvement with, community-related projects such as outreach activities with local schools

Job Requirements

• Master's or higher in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's or higher in engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or geophysics OR the equivalent (see below)
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice both within and outside of the classroom.

Additional Information

FLSA Status

Exempt

Months Per Year

10

Safety

to promote a safe working and learning environment employees must report any unsafe working conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incident to their supervisor.

• Position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• Position is a Responsible Employee under the Equity in Education Act and Title IX

Work Demands

The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Environmental

• Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online
• Comprehend speech at normal levels
• Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment
• Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Frequent bending at the waist
• Physical presence at on-site locations
• Communicate and interact with others
• Observe and interpret people and situations
• Learn and apply new information or skills
• Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks
• Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California (no contributions to Social Security). Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities. Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2026 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2023-2025) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2026 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2026 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses [phone]. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Closes

11/10/2026