South Midwest HERC

Part-Time Astronomy Instructor (Pool)


FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Schedule: Placement on the adjunct faculty salary schedule is based upon education and credited experience. Pending any course assignment, initial placement can range as follows: Lab Course (Salary Schedule HB) - $89.20 up to $130.94 per hour. Lecture Course (Salary Schedule AJ) - $103.85 up to $151.07.

Months Per Year: Semester assignments as needed

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy.
2. Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD camera, and other laboratory equipment.
3. Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development.
4. Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours.
5. Maintain expertise in current technologies.
6. Serve as a member of division and college committees.
7. Perform other professional duties as required by contract and general institutional needs.

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

1. 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
2. And experience with reflectors, refractors, and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes
3. And experience with the operation of a planetarium and its application to teaching

Skills and Abilities:

1. Academic preparation for, or successful experience teaching astronomy at the community college or university level
2. Maintain currency in the discipline and related technology appropriate to instruction
3. Commitment to the teaching profession, its goals, and ideals
4. Enthusiasm for, understanding of, and commitment to the role and purpose of the community college
5. Capacity to reflect on and evaluate one's pedagogy and to examine its effects critically
6. Experience to motivate students from a broad spectrum of academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds
7. Communicate effectively in written and spoken language
8. Work independently and as part of a team
9. Use instructional strategies designed for diverse learning styles and academic goal
10. Commitment to the use of computer-based technology appropriate to the subject areas of the assignment and willingness to expand this technology.
11. Evidence of involvement with community-related projects such as outreach activities with local schools

Job Requirements:

• Master's or above in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's or above 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.

Note: If you believe your degree, academic background, or professional achievements are equivalent to the stated minimum qualifications, please complete the Application for Equivalence - For Faculty Positions (you may choose more than one category), which is available as an option during the application submission process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above do not need to complete this form.

a) Degree Equivalence
The employee or applicant possesses a degree(s) with similar content to those listed for the relevant discipline. The name of the degree is close to that specified on the Disciplines List but the degree either has a different title or area of expertise or the coursework is slightly different. Equivalence is established through analysis of transcripts and coursework.

b) Academic Background Equivalence
Related to disciplines in which a Master's degree is not generally expected or available. The employee or applicant must have completed at least 24 semester units (or equivalent) of coursework in the academic field being applied for, and must possess at least the equivalent level of achievement and the equivalent in breadth, depth of understanding, and rigor in each of the following:

i. a broad cultural education usually met by the general education requirements for any Bachelor's or Associate's degree, and

ii. a detailed study of the discipline in breadth, depth, and rigor, usually met by coursework required for the degree major.

c) Professional Achievement Equivalence
The employee or applicant must have completed the general education requirements for any Bachelor's or Associate's degree, and show evidence of outstanding professional achievement and/or substantial training in the requested field. The employee or applicant must submit substantial evidence, which demonstrates that their preparation, teaching experience, work experience, and ability are equivalent to those expected from a person who meets the minimum qualifications.

Additional Information:
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: typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available.

• 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: Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS), a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California or they may choose to participate in the STRS Cash Balance program or Social Security.

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) 2024 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2021-2023) 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 2024 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 2024 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 (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.


Closes: 6/30/2026

To apply, visit http://smccd.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=191676





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