The primary responsibility of this individual is to provide quality instruction to Western students enrolled in classes taught at the main campus in Rock Springs. This individual must be able to relate to a wide variety of students in the community college environment. This individual’s responsibilities will include teaching courses in Physics and Engineering. This instructor must be willing and able to devote time and energy in recruiting students, developing curriculum, and maintaining the laboratory.

Typical load is 30 credit hours per academic year; usually 4 courses per semester. Teaching loads range from 28 to 30 credit hours for an academic year. Courses will primarily be taught Face to Face, but some sections might be offered as Dual, Hybrid, Hi-Flex, or Online as appropriate.

It is expected that this individual will accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner, and strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Additionally, this individual must understand the comprehensive role of the community college and cooperate and work harmoniously with college personnel and the public. This individual must follow all college policies, rules, regulations and guidelines as they relate to this position.

1. Provides quality instruction to students in assigned courses, including, but not limited to, calculus and non-calculus-based physics. Will also teach engineering courses as the applicant’s credentials allow. Engineering courses could include Statics, Dynamics, Circuits, and other introductory engineering curriculum.

2. Provides quality learning experiences for all students in accordance with their needs and abilities while maintaining the basic integrity of the course standards and objectives.

3. Provides course syllabi that state clear objectives and evaluation criteria for each course taught; follows the Curriculum Committee’s guidelines regarding course syllabi; integrates appropriate College learning goals into each course and evaluates student performance in light of these objectives and criteria.

4. Provides leadership to adjunct and concurrent faculty on the design and delivery of common course content.

5. Advises students clearly and effectively; learns the requirements for Western graduation and transfer to other regional colleges and universities. Updates the advising information in the Western Advising Handbookrelated to his/her curricula at the University of Wyoming and other regional universities.

6. Works with members of the department to recommend course schedules to the Departmental Facilitator and School Chair; mentors adjunct instructors as assigned; revises existing courses to maintain currency, and recommends and develops new courses as needed.

7. Develops good working relationships with professionals in this discipline in the College’s service area in order to solicit cooperation and support for curricular planning and other functions.

1. Assists in the College’s student recruitment program by cooperating with the Director of Admissions and Advising, visiting area schools, encouraging students to attend Western, and promoting the value of the college.

2. Serves as a resource to the community by being willing to speak to groups, answer specific inquiries, assist with research projects and workshops, locate information and perform other related tasks.

3. Assists in developing a well‑rounded, usable library collection in his/her discipline; teaches the proper use of library and Internet resources.

4. Works with staff of Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, College and Career Readiness, Peer Tutor Center, Mustang Success, and the Library. Refers students to the resources of these programs.

5. Assists the School Chair in all divisional activities as requested including attending school meetings, completing divisional duties and paperwork, and by participating in other divisional activities.

6. Becomes familiar with, and participates in, the College’s efforts for planning and improvement, such assessment of student learning, student engagement, strategic planning, or master planning. 

7. Assists adjunct faculty on campus and in Western’s outreach areas to maintain quality instruction consistent with campus programs; reviews applications of adjunct faculty from Outreach sites.

8. Works with the School Chair to develop an individual professional development plan that will be of mutual benefit to the individual and to Western; and completes all elements of Faculty Evaluation Plan.

9. Takes prudent efforts to safeguard Western physical resources from unauthorized use. Maintains safe working conditions and practices.

10. Works with the Departmental Facilitator to recommend, maintain, and inventory lab equipment.

11. Learns to communicate clearly and effectively using the college network system, including the e-mail system, word processing, and the online advising modules.

12. Stays current by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops, and by reading appropriate professional literature.

13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires prolonged standing, sitting, or climbing, and frequent bending, stooping, or stretching. Position may require lifting up to 60 lbs. Additional requirements include: eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity, ability to distinguish letters or symbols, and the ability to use office equipment such as computer terminals, calculator, telephone, faxes, and copiers. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly works in classroom and/or lab conditions and, occasionally, may provide training at an employer’s work site. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high. Employees are required to travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Abilities)

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with

o Master’s degree in one of several related degrees; Physics, Physical Science with a Physics emphasis, Astrophysics, Biophysics, Chemical Physics, Geophysics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Astronomy, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics with a Physics or Engineering emphasis, Materials Science, or Engineering with sufficient Physics emphasis.

o Also allowed, a Master’s degree in any field, plus 18 graduate credits acquired from any the related degrees listed below.

2. Experience in teaching in relevant content areas.

3. Comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, technologies, principles, and practices of the field and profession as they relate to the program at Western.

4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and administrators.

5. Ability to exercise sound judgment in all facets of the student-teacher relationship and to teach a diverse group of community college students.

6. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills.

For those who do not exactly meet all the minimum qualifications, an equivalent combination of education and experience, which has provided comparable knowledge and abilities, may be acceptable.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Abilities, Education and Experience)

1. Experience teaching project and/or laboratory-based courses in physics and/or engineering.

2. Three years teaching experience at the college level substantiated by excellent student evaluations and/or letters of recommendations.

3. Academic credentials to teach Engineering. Credentials will be reviewed by the Engineering faculty using undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts.

4. Experience with active approaches to learning; experience using alternative methods of learning, such as interactive software, online, or individualized modular programs.

5. Active participation in relevant professional organizations. Evidence of continued professional development.

6. Demonstrated teaching excellence at a community college.

Unofficial transcripts, undergraduate and graduate, are accepted for application purposes. Official transcripts will be required as a condition of employment.