Horticulture Instructor (PT)

Description

Overview

Solano Community College is actively seeking highly qualified applicants for part-time teaching assignments teaching horticulture and agriculture science classes. In general, we may have a need in any horticulture area during any semester including summer. The start months are August, January, and June in each year. These positions are filled on an as needed basis and are on-going recruitments. Assignments may include day, evening and weekend courses. The district may cancel classes or change instructors as enrollment needs are determined. The ideal candidate can demonstrate a wide range of teaching strategies to facilitate effective student learning. As we actively recruit for Fall 2024, we are expanding our offerings into the correctional facilities and local high schools in the future. We anticipate multiple faculty hiring's and are actively looking for the following specialties in one or more of these areas: landscape design, estimation, irrigation, plant identification, soils/fertilizers, and pest control. In your cover letter, please highlight your specific areas of expertise and your interests in correctional education and/or local high school education. Also, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the horticulture courses offered in our college catalog.

College Environment Solano Community College values the diversity of our community and is committed to honoring and empowering all of our students. We are seeking highly-motivated applicants who excel in their chosen fields and are committed to working with the students from our communities. We invite student-oriented applicants who provide culturally responsive teaching, use a strength-based approach centered on students and are committed to continuous improvement of instructional effectiveness. Solano Community College District is a single college district that serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in California. Located on the ancestral lands of the Patwin people, Solano Community College’s Fairfield campus is in the heart of Suisun Valley midway between San Francisco and Sacramento. We also serve students at two centers in Vallejo and Vacaville, at Travis Air Force Base, and at three correctional facilities. Our many innovative programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including a brand-new library and learning center. Students who attend Solano Community College are dedicated, persistent, and remarkable individuals who deserve the best opportunities a community college can provide. Our students come from both urban and rural backgrounds, from the military, and other diverse backgrounds. We serve students who represent the following cultures Asian American (6%), Black/African American (13%), Filipino/a/x (10%), Hispanic/Latino/a/x (33%), Pacific Islanders (1%), and, White Non-Hispanic (24%). We seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population and who have an unwavering commitment to equity, especially the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion. Solano Community College is committed to applying promising practices in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We are cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students. We invite you to join us on our journey to provide equitable and anti-racist education honoring and empowering the students of Solano Community College.

ABOUT THE DIVISION and HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT:

At Solano Community College, students learn horticulture and agriculture science on our 5-acre field studies area on the Fairfield campus. The Mathematics and Sciences division at Solano Community College also has state of the art facilities for courses which support the agricultural sciences such as environmental biology and chemistry. With the new transfer degree in agriculture launching in Spring 2025, plans to expand the horticulture program with new hydroponics greenhouse facilities are underway. We want instructors who care about students, about pedagogy, and the future of our community. We are looking for an individual willing to take risks to achieve those goals.

DESCRIPTION:

The successful candidate will teach a variety of horticulture and agriculture science courses face-to-face at one of our three main locations. Some online teaching may also be available. The ability to use and expand the use of technology and active learning strategies in the classroom and laboratory will be expected. Skilled candidates who have strong academic backgrounds, and can demonstrate a variety of teaching strategies, are strongly encouraged to apply. Safety is a priority at Solano Community College, and the successful candidate will be expected to know, follow, implement and enforce all safety rules and standards of the department. The position will also require providing instruction in accordance with established course outlines and expectations, preparing and grading assignments and examinations, meeting administrative timelines and submitting required documents and reports. Participating in division meetings, while not required, is encouraged and is paid through our flexible professional development program. Successful candidates may be required to assess course-level and program-level learning outcomes depending on the review cycle for the horticulutre department. Paid regular office hours are also encouraged in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

WORK ENVIROMENT:

The recommended candidate(s) will work in a small office or larger room with multiple people either sitting or standing. Horticulture faculty are expected to work outdoors on our 50acre field experience area where bending over and lifting up to 50 pounds may be required. This teaching role will require significant technology use, including long periods of looking at technology screens and entering information using a keyboard and/or mouse device. Interruptions are likely in large room settings and in small office settings. Frequent use of online meetings technology with webcam on, phone, and email will be required to communicate with all campus communities. The recommended candidate(s) must utilize vision (near) to write and to read printed materials and computer screens; utilize hearing for ordinary and telephonic conversation and to hear sound prompts from equipment; utilize manual and finger dexterity to type/keyboard and/or utilize mouse and otherwise operate a microcomputer and other office equipment.

Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide instruction in accordance with established curriculum, course outlines and class schedules.
• Evaluate and provide timely verbal and written assessments of student performance.
• Create and maintain an environment which emphasizes learning, encourages free discussion of ideas and critical thinking.
• Inform students about course requirements
• Prepare and grade student assignments and examinations.
• Maintain accurate academic records.
• Evaluate student progress concerning educational matters.
• Meet with students outside of class.
• Maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics.
• Maintain current knowledge in subject matter areas.
• Meet administrative deadlines; submit completed required documents and reports.
• Perform other program related duties.

Minimum Qualifications A commitment to encouragement of learning and an enthusiastic attitude toward student learning; sensitivity to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds who may have wide ranges of abilities. AND Any Bachelor's degree and two years professional experience in Horticulture, OR Any associate degree and six years professional experience in Horticulture OR Master’s in agriculture, agriculture science, education with a specialization in agriculture or other agricultural area (including: agricultural business, agricultural engineering, agricultural mechanics, Agriculture agronomy, animal science, enology, environmental (ornamental) horticulture, equine science, forestry, natural resources, plant science, pomology, soil science, viticulture or other agriculture science) All candidates with experience in Horticulture or Agriculture are encouraged to apply. If you do not have college degree or If your degree does not meet the minimum qualifications exactly as stated above, you must request an equivalency review and submit conclusive supporting documents at the time of application. Equivalency is defined as possessing the general education for the degree and the major coursework for the degree. The equivalency request form can be downloaded here. All degrees must be from accredited institutions.

NOTE: All degrees must be from accredited institutions. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

APPLICATION PROCESS DETAILS: • To be considered for this position, all applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline. Please submit legible copies of college transcripts for Bachelor's, Master's and advanced degrees. Submit a copy of the diploma in addition to the transcripts if the degree award date is not posted. If submitting transcripts from foreign countries to meet minimum qualifications, it is recommended that certification be included that provides equivalency to United States degree standards. A listing of transcript services is available upon request. • Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview. It is, therefore, important that the application be thorough and detailed. • Reference checks for the finalists will be conducted. • Candidates should not expect official notification until the selection of the candidate has been completed. • The College may re-advertise or delay filling a position. • Oral interviews will be conducted to include a teaching demonstration. • Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The successful candidate is a broadly trained individual who possesses both depth and breadth of knowledge in major areas of horticulture and/or agriculture; has an approachable personality; uses multiple teaching methods that include critical thinking and problem-solving strategies; and adheres to college academic requirements and standards, especially laboratory safety.

The successful candidate must encourage learning; be sensitive to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including students with disabilities; take initiative in co-curricular activities, special events, and department/school meetings and projects; and participate in professional growth activities, including the governance of the College. Finally, the successful applicant must be able to lift and carry materials weighing up to 40 pounds.