"Astronomy (Adjunct/Part-time)"

Description

In order to create a pool of qualified applicants, Sierra College accepts applications in all subject areas and conducts interviews for teaching positions throughout the year. Applications are kept in the hiring pool for a period of two years. The number of open positions varies from semester to semester. The Division Dean or Department Chair will contact you directly for an interview when a position becomes available. We appreciate your interest in Sierra College!

Examples Of Functions and Tasks

Curriculum Development - ESSENTIAL: Review and evaluate curriculum in order to meet student interests and needs within the parameters of Divisional/Departmental budget constraints and availability of equipment and materials; coordinate with part-time instructors to enhance consistency of lecture/laboratory content; evaluate and/or revise course descriptions to fit curriculum designs; present proposals for curriculum changes to the Curriculum Committee and/or other appropriate shared governance bodies; make changes to curriculum, as necessary and as approved within the shared governance structure. PERIPHERAL: Review curriculum for concordance with changes in laws, regulations, and standards.

Lecture/ Laboratory/Field Preparation - ESSENTIAL: Complete book order forms and provide the District Bookstore with master copies of syllabi for printing; place appropriate reference items on reserve in the library; prepare lesson plans to be used in a lecture and/or coordinate lectures with laboratory learning assignments; review and select and/or prepare computer and audio-visual materials for classroom/laboratory use; attend conferences to increase knowledge of subject matter and teaching methods and techniques; determine whether laboratory instruments such as telescopes and other optical devices are functioning properly; prepare star charts; clean, calibrate, and check equipment and return items and equipment to proper storage areas; adjust, calibrate, and maintain Planetarium star projection system in working order; coordinate with Instructional Assistant(s) to maintain the Mobile Science Laboratory and associated equipment, as needed. PERIPHERAL: Review and evaluate new textbooks for content, readability, and cost effectiveness; select textbooks and/or laboratory manuals determined to be the most useful and appropriate; read current literature (normally several sources- books, newspapers, periodicals, and other printed materials) to prepare lectures; prepare, edit, and update syllabus materials for lectures and/or laboratories; prepare typewritten and/or graphic handouts and/or transparencies for classroom/ laboratory use; coordinate and confer with book publishing company sales representatives providing instructional materials; familiarize self with operation of all equipment currently available for use and which is appropriate for the subject area. Introduce and present lecture/laboratory information and concepts in a clear and logical manner; use analogies and/or examples to convey important astronomical concepts; provide instructional objectives to direct student learning; outline major points of information on board and/or overhead projector and/or multimedia/ computer equipment; enhance presentations with visual aids and/or demonstrations and/or examples, as available; implement use of computers with telescopes and charged coupled device (CCD) imagery equipment; distribute handouts to clarify particularly difficult topics; answer student questions clearly and without ridicule, improper criticism, or bias; encourage student participation and involvement in classroom discussions; monitor student activity and take steps to prevent and/or control unacceptable behavior; design and develop new laboratory exercises and/or observational programs to demonstrate major astronomical concepts; promote use of the scientific method in all laboratory protocols; help students to set up, operate, and troubleshoot observational equipment problems; provide equal opportunity for student participation; move around laboratory, working with students; stay physically present in laboratory to supervise activities; demonstrate safe laboratory/observational techniques and operation of equipment; handle fragile equipment, as necessary; coordinate off-site observatory use; advise students of hazards associated with improper use of electrical equipment and functioning in dark conditions necessary for effective observation of astronomical phenomena.

Student Performance Evaluation - ESSENTIAL: Develop quizzes, tests and laboratory/classroom examinations which are understandable and which fairly evaluate student progress; monitor student activity during examinations/quizzes and take steps to prevent and/or control unacceptable behavior, e.g., cheating; deal swiftly, rationally, and consistently with persons involved in cheating and/or other unacceptable behavior; read and evaluate student responses on examinations/quizzes and mark and grade papers accordingly; assign, read, and evaluate homework assignments/projects to promote learning; tabulate scores and assign official grades; advise students on academic matters regarding their performance; refer students to appropriate student services (e.g., EEL, EOPS, etc.). PERIPHERAL: Input student scores into a microcomputer (including use of word processing software packages/applications) and make printouts of scoring data available to affected students.

Shared Governance Participation - ESSENTIAL: Attend and participate in departmental meetings and activities; respond in writing to requests for information (e.g., employment process position questionnaires, unit planning guides, etc.); participate in articulation/curriculum development, investigation and costing of departmental equipment needs, and selection of textbooks; represent department by serving on campus-wide committees. PERIPHERAL: Attend and participate in divisional and/or building meetings and activities, as well as those organized by the Faculty Senate and the Staff Development Committee; contribute to the advancement of the Sierra College Natural History Museum, as appropriate and feasible; serve on employee selection committees, as requested; serve as a functional member of one or more committees and/or task forces; attend Board of Trustees and/or College Council meetings, as necessary; read and responds to information polls distributed by the Faculty Senate.

Ancillary Student Services - ESSENTIAL: Hold regular office hours; provide advice to students regarding academic performance; provide students and peers with a positive role model in terms of character and citizenship; participate in graduation and outstanding student award ceremonies. PERIPHERAL: Provide students with letters of recommendation, as requested; hold review sessions of classroom/laboratory material, as necessary; advise and encourage students; participate in museum program series and/or other activities and provide opportunities for participation in field trips and/or club activities.

Minimum Qualifications

CCC Minimum Qualifications Handbook
Master's in physics, astronomy or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomyAND Master's in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysicsOR the equivalent

This position is a part-time faculty teaching assignment with the following salary rates: Part-Time/Adjunct Salary Schedule [(Download PDF reader)](https://apptrkr.com/get_redirect.php?id=6665418&targetURL=https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Degree and years of acceptable teaching experience determine step placement)

Offer and acceptance of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, credentials, transcripts, LiveScan, and tuberculosis examination as required.

Verification of prior employment (teaching or work experience) may be needed to determine minimum qualifications met.

Copies of transcripts MUST be attached to the application (photocopies & unofficial transcripts are accepted).

Supplemental Information

Salary: $77.44 - $98.98 Hourly
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 13
Closing: Continuous
Location: Rocklin, CA
Division: Instruction Office

Placement on the District's Faculty Salary Schedule is dependent upon years of experience and level of education. Entry-level is from $77.44 per hour (Lecture Rate)/$58.08 per hour (Lab/Counselor Rate) to $98.98 per hour (Lecture Rate)/$74.24 per hour (Lab/Counselor Rate) at the time of employment. The current highest salary attainable after employment is $127.21 per hour (Lecture Rate)/$95.41 per hour (Lab/Counselor Rate). Employees also will be members of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS). Sick leave, and other leaves are available according to the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
There are four (4) required documents to apply for this position:
1. Employment Application
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
3. Applicable transcripts with conferred degree and date *(unofficial transcripts are accepted)*
4. Please respond to the prompt below for your Teaching Philosophy Statement. You will need to write this statement on a separate document and upload the attachment at the end of the application.
  What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting historically underrepresented and underserved students? Specifically, what are the key factors that contribute to their success and the closing of equity gaps in the classroom, particularly for African-American, Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), and Native American students with intersecting identities, such as LGBTQIA+, visible and invisible disabilities, and any other disproportionately impacted populations?
  What role should faculty play in student success?
  Describe how your teaching approach has changed/evolved since you began teaching. Provide examples of what motivated the change(s).
  How does your teaching approach reflect your teaching philosophy in ensuring equitable student success?