What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor, Astronomy position at Guilford Technical Community College?
At Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), we are dedicated to transforming lives through education and creating a lasting impact on our community. We invite passionate and innovative educators to join our mission-driven team, where you can enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance and competitive benefits, including a robust pension plan. Our beautiful, well-maintained campuses provide an inspiring environment for both teaching and learning, within an atmosphere of collaboration and excellence. At GTCC, you’ll be part of a supportive, dynamic, and inclusive culture committed to delivering exceptional results, making it a truly amazing place to work and thrive.
Teaching faculty at Guilford Technical Community College are responsible for supporting student success by creating an optimum learning environment, responding to student needs, managing effective instructional activities, developing curriculum courses, modeling employability skills, demonstrating professionalism, developing cooperative work relationships with other faculty and staff, supporting college administrative requirements, and maintaining competency in their instructional field. He/she will be responsible for quality instruction and for effective participation and interest in the total affairs of the college
Under general supervision, this individual will develop, prepare and teach Astronomy courses designed for transfer and support of career technical programs. Faculty will also be responsible for advising students and collaborating with 4-year educational partners to ensure transferability of courses. The candidate in this position is a member of the full-time faculty and maintains a teaching load with some administrative release time to carry out observatory duties. This person is responsible for holding public viewing sessions at the Cline Observatory and planning and hosting public astronomy lectures.
Min Salary Mid Salary Duties/Functions
Teaching faculty at Guilford Technical Community College are responsible for supporting student success by creating an optimum learning environment, responding to student needs, managing effective instructional activities, developing curriculum courses, modeling employability skills, demonstrating professionalism, developing cooperative work relationships with other faculty and staff, supporting college administrative requirements, and maintaining competency in their instructional field. He/she will be responsible for quality instruction and for effective participation and interest in the total affairs of the college
Under general supervision, this individual will develop, prepare and teach Astronomy courses designed for transfer and support of career technical programs. Faculty will also be responsible for advising students and collaborating with 4-year educational partners to ensure transferability of courses. The candidate in this position is a member of the full-time faculty and maintains a teaching load with some administrative release time to carry out observatory duties. This person is responsible for holding public viewing sessions at the Cline Observatory and planning and hosting public astronomy lectures.
Teaching
Prepare & teach departmental courses to include:
- Physics courses
- developing learner centered lesson plans
- employing teaching strategies & instructional materials for different learning styles
- incorporating, as pedagogically appropriate, current technology in classroom, distance learning and laboratory environments
- creating and modeling a quality learning environment that supports a diverse student population
- preparing, distributing and utilizing instructional support materials, including course syllabi, supplementary materials, instructional media and other devices as appropriate
- updating and revising curriculum to maintain currency
- developing new courses as needed to support the instructional mission
- participating in the development and review of course and program/general education outcomes as appropriate
- developing, conducting and documenting appropriate assessment of student learning outcomes in courses and programs/general education as appropriate
Professional Development
Maintain a professional status that supports the instructional mission by:
- participating in professional development activities to maintain currency in field; maintaining current credentials or licensures as required by program or accreditation
- participating in professional development opportunities to advance teaching skills and strategies
Administration
Provide daily & ongoing oversight of facilities, equipment and student records to include:
- maintaining classroom and laboratory spaces including upkeep of assigned equipment
- providing for the security of facilities, equipment and instructional materials and maintaining safe working conditions
- maintaining student records (e.g., grades and attendance) in accordance with established deadlines using a variety of technology-based programs (e.g., Colleague, WebAdvisor, Moodle)
- complying with all applicable college, state and federal rules and regulations
Student Support
Provide an environment conducive to student success to include:
- conducting recruiting activities
- providing academic advising
- promoting retention/persistence by assisting students to develop strategies for success
- assisting students with the registration and graduation process
- referring students to campus and community resources when appropriate
- maintain student records
College Service
Support college-wide endeavors to include:
- collaboration with faculty and staff from other divisions/departments to promote communication, coordinate schedules and support student success
- serving on department, division and college committees
- participating in GTCC institutional initiatives
- collaborating with educational partners, business/industry and/or external agencies as appropriate to promote the instructional mission of GTCC
- supporting collegiality and teaching excellence by actively participating in the professional development of new and veteran faculty (e.g., mentoring and peer observation)
- participating in extracurricular student activities/clubs
- attending college professional development sessions, college/division/department meetings, graduation and convocation, as required
- demonstrate and model the College’s employability skills: adaptability, communication, information processing, problem solving, responsibility and teamwork.
- perform all duties as assigned by supervisor
- Master’s degree in Astronomy or a related field (e.g., Planetary Science, Astrophysics) with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hour credits in Astronomy from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Doctoral degree in Astronomy or related field from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Three years post-secondary teaching experience in undergraduate, i.e., 100 or 200 level Astronomy courses
- Greater than three years post-secondary teaching experience in undergraduate, i.e., 100 or 200 level Astronomy courses
- Community college teaching experience
- Experience with assessment of student learning outcomes Experience with distance learning and/or alternate instructional delivery systems
The Instructor shall possess an understanding of and commitment to the nature and role of the Community College, particularly its “open door” policy. He/she shall have demonstrated personal and professional competence for the responsibilities assigned. The Instructor must be able to:
1. Multi-task
2. Support the Vision and Mission of the College
3. Adapt to changing procedures, protocols or assignments.
4. Create and maintain a learner centered environment
5. Communicate effectively
6. Ability to effectively implement and apply technology solutions
KSA Preferred Department/Job Specific Requirements
1. Multi-task
2. Support the Vision and Mission of the College
3. Adapt to changing procedures, protocols or assignments.
4. Create and maintain a learner centered environment
5. Communicate effectively
6. Ability to effectively implement and apply technology solutions
The following (compliance) training is required and must be completed within the first 30 days of hire with annual refresher training thereafter: (additional training may be added as needed)
- Reporting Requirements
- Anti-Discrimination/Harassment & Title IX
- Safety/Shooter on Campus
- Personal Information Protection Training (PIP)
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
- eLearning Level One in Canvas before the first day of the first semester teaching
- eLearning Level Two in Canvas for instructors who teach online or hybrid delivery methods before the first day of the first semester teaching in that format
- Physical Activity: Long periods of standing and or walking
- Environmental Hazard(s): <15%
- Lifting: <=20lbs.
- May include teaching day and evening and/or weekend hours.
- Criminal history checks with acceptable results, are required.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
2026-002-REG
Open Date
01/07/2026
Close Date
02/06/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants