Faculty - Biology Instructor

Muskegon Community College 

Muskegon Community College is a center for lifelong learning that helps people attain their educational goals by offering programs that respond to individual, community, and global needs. MCC is an associate degree-granting institution of higher education and an applied technology leader for high-tech, hands-on training.

 With nearly a 100-year history of academic excellence, MCC is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With robust student success support, free tutoring, 18 athletic teams, events, clubs, and activities, MCC has an annual, full-time equated student enrollment of approximately 2,300 and an unduplicated headcount of 5,100.

 Most recently, Muskegon Community College outranked all other colleges in Michigan for the rate of students who received federal financial aid and then transferred to continue their education at a four-year institution. The college’s transfer-out rate was the highest in Michigan, 7 percentage points above the state average, and outpaced the average transfer rate across the nation. MCC is nationally recognized for its liberal arts and occupational programs. 

 The College has an annual operating budget (general fund) of $44 million and employs about 210 regular full and part-time staff and many adjunct faculty and student assistants. The College also offers 56 Associate degree programs and 29 certificate programs.  

 The main campus is located on a 111-acre campus in Muskegon which includes the Hendrik Meijer Library & Information Technology Center, Bartels-Rode Gymnasium, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center (including the Overbrook Theater and Art Gallery), Stevenson Center for Higher Education, the Science Center, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Art & Music Center.  

 Muskegon Community College also operates the Sturrus Technology Center and Fab Lab in downtown Muskegon and extension centers in Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County 
Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day. 

Unofficial Transcripts must be submitted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 9, 2024

This position is a WINTER 2025 preferably start or FALL 2025 start.   Annual Load: 34

General Description:

Responsible for instruction and facilitating student learning; committed to student recruitment, retention and success; assessment of learning, development of curriculum and use of instructional delivery modes utilizing both traditional and non-traditional methodology. Contribute in meaningful ways to the college’s continuing commitment to student success and diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1.      Master’s Degree in Biology or a master's degree in a closely related field and 18 or more graduate credits in Biology with a minimum of two years’ relevant teaching experience preferably in higher education with emphases in environmental science, natural resources, botany, and general biology.  This person would also collaborate with courses designed to partner with outside universities and institutions. The candidate has the potential to develop experiential courses in their area(s) of expertise.

2.      Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation skills, both oral and written, which transcend diverse audiences.

3.      Successful teaching experience and commitment to working with a diverse population of students and staff.

4.      A passion for continuous learning and a dedication to support student success through the mission of the College.

5.      The ability to facilitate varied teaching methods (i.e. lecture, class discussion, assessment, presentations, field work, laboratory) to enhance student learning and completion. Online teaching experience or willingness to complete online teaching training. Willingness to teach during the day, at night, and online, as well as at the main campus and extension centers.

6.      Experience in educational theory and techniques, teaching, experience at the post-secondary level preferred.

7.      Participation in professional and community organizations. 

8.      Detail-oriented, well organized, and able to interact effectively with college staff at all levels and handle confidential information appropriately.

9.      Highly motivated and solution-oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College.

10.  Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations representing a wide range of abilities, ages, nationalities, and cultures.

Essential Function:

1.      Teach assigned course load, which may include day, night, and online courses, as well as at the main campus and extension centers. Classes are to meet on time for the fully allotted time.

2.      Establish and promote an effective learning environment that maximizes documented student learning.

3.      Participate in professional development activities and maintain current knowledge in the discipline.

4.      Prepare, submit and maintain reports related to student learning.

5.      Develop or assist in development of curriculum including review or revision to keep programs on the cutting edge.

6.      Grade assignments in a meaningful way to promote continued student growth, return graded assignments to students in a timely manner, and assign final grades for all students, meeting or exceeding all institutional deadlines for completion.

7.      Provide educational assistance to students during regularly scheduled and posted times (i.e., office hours) or by appointment.

8.      Oversee the Muskegon Community College Herbarium and Kasey Hartz Natural Area.

9.      Collaborate with outside universities and institutions to promote and expand educational opportunities.

10.  Ensure student opinion surveys are conducted for each class and reviewed after summary information is available to assist with increasing student success.

11.  Participate in the instructor evaluation process which assesses the following:

Ø  Content Expertise

Ø  Instructional Delivery

Ø  Instructional Design

Ø  Course Management

Ø  Special assignment work in which release time is being given

Ø  Non-teaching duties including, but not limited to:

§  Committee Work

§  Student Organizations

§  Governing Councils

12. Contribute to Department or College by working collegially with Academic Affairs or other teams to support or review processes; participate in councils, committees, and teams; and provide future mentoring to new or part-time colleagues.

13. Maintain levels of professional knowledge and expertise.

14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☒ Detailed Work                                                    

☒ Student Contact

☒ Deadline oriented                                             

☒ Problem Situations

☒ Multiple Priorities & Demands                     

☐ Emergency Situations

☒ Confidentiality                                                   

☐ On-call Availability

☒ Continual Interruptions                                  

☒ Working Alone

☒ Faculty Contact                                                  

☒ Working with Others                   

Physical Demands:

☐ Standing & Walking                                        

☒ Sitting

☐ Reclining                                                             

☒ Carrying                     

☐ Lifting up to 10 lbs.   ☐ Up to 25 lbs.          ☒ Up to 50 lbs.             ☐ 80 + lbs.

☐ Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending           

☐ Climb or Balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl                   

☐ Squatting    

☐ Handle or Feel                                                  

☐ Reach with Hands and Arms

☒ Talking or hearing                                           

☐ Tasting/Smelling

☐ Working Overhead                                         

☒ Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☐   Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒   Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College continues to promote staff diversity, and is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment.  Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.  Anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College.  If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.