"Biology Faculty"

Position Summary

The Community College of Aurora invites applications for a Biology Faculty position in the Department of Biology, with responsibilities that include teaching Biology courses (in-person and/or online) and mentoring online instructors in the department. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience providing high quality, effective, engaging, inclusive, and student-centered instruction (in-person and online modalities), creating and evaluating the quality of online course materials, and supervising and/or mentoring online instructors at a higher education institution.

The Department of Biology is committed to quality instruction through high academic standards, high student support, and a strong commitment to student engagement and success. Faculty in this position will mentor instructors in the delivery of online education to ensure these commitments are upheld in all teaching modalities. Additionally, faculty in this position will provide instruction, in assigned modalities, to make complex concepts accessible to students just entering the field as well as students nearing graduation and transfer.

Faculty duties include teaching and service as guided by SP 3-31. Online mentoring responsibilities include the coordination, planning, preparation, and evaluation of online instructors and related activities. Teaching responsibilities include coordination, planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of instruction and other related activities. These responsibilities are aligned with individual, department, and college goals. To ensure the success of our diverse student population, faculty members maintain a commitment to high-quality instruction, student-centered philosophies, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence through professional development.

Service can include, but is not limited to, curriculum coordination and development; advising and outreach; system, college-wide and campus committee work; sponsoring and participating in student activities; and attendance at college activities and events.

Overview of CCA

The Community College of Aurora serves our diverse community by providing high-value instruction and support services to prepare students for transfer and employment. We are particularly interested in applicants that demonstrate a commitment to working with individuals and groups from diverse identities, including but not limited to: socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, disability, multilingual learners, veterans, non-traditional, race and ethnic backgrounds.

We actively promote a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. CCA enrolls 11,000 students annually, over 62% of whom are students of color, including nearly 32% Hispanic students, 65% of CCA students receive some type of financial aid, including 52% of whom receive Pell grants, and nearly two-thirds are first-generation college students.

More than 20 different languages and 60 countries are represented at CCA. In addition to traditional degree and certificate programs, CCA offers non-credit professional development courses, customized training, and economic and workforce development resources to employer partners and individual professionals seeking to enhance the capacity and productivity of their workforce or individual knowledge and skills. The college centers diversity, equity, and inclusion and we actively seek to employee partners who want to join us in working to reducing outcome gaps among our diverse student population.

Duties & Responsibilities

Online Mentor

• Be knowledgeable about online pedagogy/andragogy, methods, retention, inclusion, and assessment of outcomes; be willing to participate in coaching/mentoring.
• Promote student success through inclusive, accessible, multi-modal, challenging, equity-minded, student-centered, and engaging instruction.
• Coordinate with Department Chair to identify and assign instructors for all online sections in BIO and GEY.
• Complete online course shell checks at the beginning of each semester for all online sections in BIO and GEY.
• Complete instructor evaluations for all online instructors in Biology.

Teaching

• Uphold the vision, mission, and values of the college.
• The ideal candidate must commit to becoming familiar with relevant instruction and assessment strategies, research, and latest findings identifying factors that positively impact the classroom and the learning experience of students of diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Utilize a variety of effective instructional strategies that help support all students to meet high expectations for active and independent learning and higher order thinking.
• Treat students with respect and be responsive to the students needs within reasonable expectations.
• Maintain currency and expertise in your discipline and teaching methodology.
• Hold classes at the scheduled time for the full period, except for emergency situations.
• Develop methods of assessing student learning that are course-relevant as specified in the objectives and provide feedback in a timely manner for all assigned classes.
• Clearly communicate expectations to students at the beginning of a course (course description, syllabus, grading system, learning objectives, attendance policy, etc.).
• Develop new course materials or curricula as needed.
• Before the first day of classes, according to published deadlines, provide the department with a copy of course syllabi.
• Implement all departmental and college expectations.
• Conduct classes and evaluate student performance in accordance with the catalog, course description, and course competencies, as explained in the course syllabus.
• Maintain academic integrity and rigor appropriate to the discipline.
• Conduct student evaluations of instruction in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Post and maintain office hours.
• Maintain accurate scholastic and attendance records in the learning management system adopted by the college, and submit required reports to meet deadlines, including submission of final grades by the published deadline.
• Attend departmental/divisional/instruction-wide meetings as called by the Department Chair, Dean, Vice President of Academic Success, and/or the President of the Community College of Aurora.
• Participate in instructional professional development activities as required.
• Participate in all departmental and college-wide assessment practices.
• Abide by all relevant FERPA, CCA, Departmental, CCCS, and SBCCOE policies and procedures.

Service

Faculty are expected to engage in activities to establish a strong sense of community and support the college and the work of colleagues and students. Examples include the following:

• Participate in or lead activities that work to fulfill the mission and goals of the college outside of the classroom.
• Contribute to the department through service, including curriculum coordination and development and departmental assessment.
• Conduct student academic advising and outreach as needed.
• Participate in system, college-wide, and campus committee work.
• Sponsor and participate in student activities.
• Contribute to and attend college activities and events.
• Engage in professional growth opportunities.
• Provide contributions to the discipline.

Required Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Biology or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college/university. - OR- Masters Degree from a regionally accredited college/university PLUS a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in Biology or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience in online education.
• Minimum of 3 years college-level teaching experience that includes Biology courses.
• Demonstrated culturally responsive, student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
• Demonstrated competency in the use of technology for course delivery.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching at a community college.
• Experience with program/course/curriculum development, particularly for online instruction.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and impact science students in supportive ways.
• Experience with D2L or other learning management systems.
• Experience collaborating with colleagues and working as a part of a team on program/course/curriculum development and course delivery.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement, ongoing professional development, and a resilience for a dynamic changing work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with people of diverse identities, and willingness to engage in professional development activities to improve understanding and effectiveness of working with racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse populations.
• Experience working at a Hispanic Serving institution, and/or Minority Serving Institution and/or in programs aimed at encouraging access, retention, and completion of diverse student populations.

Supplemental Information

Salary Range: Anticipated starting salary range is $73,061.76 annually. This salary is determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. CCA offers an excellent benefit plan, including generous leave, holiday, and education benefits. Full time employees immediately upon hire earn 15 hours a month annual leave and 10 hours a month sick leave.

Application Process: When submitting your online application, please include a cover letter, current resume, and professional references. Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to HR@ccaurora.edu upon offer of employment. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@ccaurora.edu.