Job Description

Las Positas College

Livermore, CA

Salary: $2,075.12/CAH - $2,322.27/CAH Link to Salary Schedule

Start Date: Spring 2025

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: Las Positas College, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore, CA 94551

Job Summary

The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is seeking a PT Instructor, Horticulture for Las Positas College. Applicants will be expected to provide instruction in landscape and turfgrass management. This is a CTE course (Career and Technical Education program, which prepares students for skilled trades in a wide range of occupations.)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop lesson plan in subject as well as plan lab activities
• Provide consistent interaction with students in class as well as on Canvas
• Give lecture and lab once weekly for 18-week semester (in person)
• Assign quizzes and projects to students throughout the semester
• Test knowledge with midterm and final exams

Lecture

• Identification of botanical classification of turfgrass species and varieties
• Techniques of ornamental lawn and sports turf installation, maintenance and renovation
• Basic techniques for care and pruning of trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennial landscape plants
• Basic principles of irrigation system operation
• Basic principles of fertilizer and horticulture chemical applications
• Maintenance industry standards and business practices
• Alternatives to traditional turfgrass, such as no-mow turf, meadows, and artificial turf

Lab

• Training in safe and effective operation of turf and landscape equipment
• Practice in operating a variety of powered and non-powered tools used in the landscape industry
• On and off campus study trips to examine standards of turf and landscape standards, and how they are applied
• Participation in various project activities related to turf and landscape management

Course Objectives

• Give examples of suitable turfgrass species and varieties for sports turf and ornamental lawn uses
• Describe the steps that should be taken when installing, maintaining or renovating turfgrass
• Demonstrate methods of basic care and pruning needed to care for trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials
• Organize a complex irrigation program and list elements of a standard irrigation maintenance check
• Select the correct fertilizers and horticulture chemicals used in various turf and landscape situations and demonstrate understanding of the safe and legal way to apply them
• Identify sound maintenance standards and business practices used in the landscape industry

Minimum Qualifications

Any bachelors degree or higher and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Evidence of understanding of and responsiveness to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within the classroom.

Applicants applying under the “Equivalent” provision must provide details that explain at time of application how their academic preparation is the equivalent of the degree listed above.

Desirable Qualifications

• Work experience in landscape and turfgrass management, and/or prior teaching experience in subject

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Individuals with disabilities who are unable to carry out the physical activities of the position will receive reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform the essential functions of the positions.