AY26 - Astronomy Instructor

About the role

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) announces an opening for an Astronomy instructor at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC). LAVC is a two-year community college located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley and is one of nine colleges in the LACCD. Serving more than 20,000 students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, LAVC provides strong transfer, transitional, and career educational programs and is committed to student success.

Responsibilities

• Teaching the regular load, as defined by the collective bargaining agreement, of astronomy and holding regular office hours.
• Serving as planetarium director, managing the planetarium and observatory, and contributing to public outreach and recruitment activities.
• Duties associated with the Planetarium Director position may be used to offset some of the regular teaching load.
• Planning, developing and implementing course curricula, as well as updating course materials and the course outlines of record.
• Contributing to the development and assessment of student learning outcomes.
• Completing and submitting required documents in a timely manner.
• Participating in mandated projects, such as Program Review.
• Participating in department and campus committees and activities.
• Performing other academic duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics; OR
• Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's in engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or geophysics; OR
• The equivalent

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced education beyond the minimum required, research experience, familiarity with the evening sky, and possession of an excellent academic record that indicates a strong background in astronomy.
• Commitment to maintaining a current knowledge of recent developments in astronomy.
• Experience teaching lecture and laboratory astronomy courses, and using astronomical equipment, in a community college or other college setting.
• Experience in the use of a planetarium projection system, telescopes and accessories, computers, and audio equipment.
• Commitment to managing maintenance and repair of the planetarium, observatory, and other specialty equipment.
• Commitment to serve as faculty liaison between the College and the LAVC Astronomy Group.
• Experience with conducting astronomy outreach activities.
• Experience or interest in web enhancing and/or teaching online courses and ability to use technology.
• Commitment to execute extracurricular responsibilities within the Department and College.
• Ability to set specific learning outcomes and objectives and measure achieved results.
• Success at initiating, executing and following-up of projects in a timely manner.
• Commitment to a career in a diverse, student-centered Department and College.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college faculty, staff, and students, including those with physical or learning disabilities as it relates to differences in learning styles.
• Knowledge of equity-centered educational research on best practices to support the success of Latinx, Black, Indigenous, and other students of color.
• Experience with best practices in tutoring and teaching related to student success and equity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various academic departments and service areas at the College.

Pay

The current starting range is from $76,960 - $143,000 for the ten-month academic year depending on education and experience. The Ph.D. differential is $4,870 per academic year. The district provides an excellent benefits package including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to the employee and eligible dependents. See LACCD's Health Benefits website for more information.