Full-Time Faculty, Astronomy

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

Essential Duties:

The following list of duties applies to a full-time NWACC faculty member. Please note that this faculty position includes a combination of teaching and administrative or service duties, as noted below. (Refer to Faculty Workload Policy 5009.)

• 15 teaching load hours as defined in the faculty workload policy
• 10 clock hours of class preparation/evaluations
• Some combination of the following that equals 15 clock hours
• Class related office hours
• General student development services
• Three “committee” hours a week (“Committee” is defined broadly as committee work, club sponsorship, work on advisory boards, tutoring, etc. This would be considered the faculty member’s service to the college.)

Instruction:

• Facilitate student learning, provide effective instruction, and perform evaluations of student learning for all assigned classes, using each course's standard course outline as a guide.
• The standard teaching load for full-time faculty teaching credit courses is 15 load hours per semester during the nine-month employment period. 
• Furthermore, this faculty position may include a combination of teaching and administrative or service duties. On occasion, faculty may receive a reduced instructional load to complete other duties related to the function of the college. Each semester's instructional load will be assigned by the faculty member's supervisor, which will be determined by the nature of the position, the needs of the department, and workload guidelines established by college policy. (Policy 5009)
• Develop course curriculum, course handouts, lectures, labs, and presentations.
• Participate in program level learning assessment. Participation includes helping articulate learning outcomes, choosing, and administering measures, evaluating student performance, and suggesting changes to improve student learning.

• Work with other faculty and administrators in developing program curriculum, standards, and policies, including reviewing and participating in textbook selection process where appropriate.
• Schedule, supervise, debrief, and evaluate students in clinical, internship, observation, field experience, and similar settings as appropriate for the course or program.
• Be available to meet with students. The method of contact and hours of availability should be clearly communicated to supervisors and to students through the course syllabus each semester.
• Assign grades, maintain course/student records in accordance with FERPA regulations, and submit grades and records by established deadlines.
• Meet all classes and other scheduled responsibilities, such as office hours and meetings at the designated times. A faculty member should inform the supervisor if he or she is unable to meet a class on time.
• Teach courses by alternative delivery methods as needed.  The teaching load could include teaching at other facilities in Benton or Washington County and/or during the evenings or weekends. Teaching assignments will depend on the program, the course, and the needs of the students.
• Tutor at facilities in both Benton and Washington Counties. Tutor during day, afternoon, night, and/or weekend.
• Attend departmental, divisional, and college-wide meetings.

Professional Development:

The following are examples of what may be considered professional development. Some of these may be required based on the nature of the program, division, and/or college policy.

• Participate in faculty evaluation process.
• Remain current in academic or program discipline, including attending professional conferences and maintaining licensure, certification, or continuing education requirements where appropriate.
• Receive training or stay current in technological or pedagogical advances that promote student learning.
• Participate in college professional development activities.

Service to the College:

The following are examples of what may be considered service to the college. Some of these may be required based on the nature of the program, division, and/or college policy.

• Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, programmatic advisory boards, hiring committees, or faculty senate (“Committee” is defined broadly as committee work, club sponsorship, work on advisory boards, tutoring, etc.).
• Attend local, regional, state, or national meetings where required or necessary for the discipline.
• Mentor and/or assist in orienting new faculty either formally or informally.
• Serve as a liaison for Early College Experience faculty.
• Attend commencement or other ceremonies appropriate to the faculty member's discipline or program.
• Perform other academically related duties as assigned by the instructor's supervisor.
• Participate in faculty business meetings and forums.
• Participate in community and other educational activities outside of the college to promote and market the college, programs, and/or students and graduates.

An activity or assignment is not considered service to the college if the faculty member receives a stipend, release time, or other additional payment or benefit for their participation. However, reimbursement for, or payment of, incurred travel/business expenses, pursuant to College policy and/or Federal or State regulation, is allowed.

Other duties as assigned:

Faculty may have other duties assigned based on the requirements for courses, degrees, certificates, and accrediting bodies. 

Rate of pay: determined by faculty scale placement (education and years of experience)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in Astronomy
• Master’s degree or higher in Space and Planetary Sciences
• Master’s degree or higher in another science discipline with these additional classes: 2 Astronomy or Planetary Science courses, College Physics, College Chemistry, and College Algebra (Calculus is preferred)

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and administration of various higher education academic and social programs

• Knowledge of campus and community resources

• Knowledge of state, federal, and campus rules, regulations, and requirements related to campus academic and social programs

• Ability to coordinate the activities of campus academic and/or social programs

• Ability to evaluate collected information and formulate into recommendations

• Ability to compile information into report form

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently:
• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
Constantly:
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions:
 

The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.