Location: Auburn,WA, USA
This is a full-time, Astronomy tenure track faculty position with a primary focus on astronomy teaching, beginning September 2025
The Science Division at Green River College is seeking an instructor who will primarily teach introductory astronomy, and occasionally introductory physics. Astronomy and physics are housed within a combined department. Currently all courses in our department are in-person: our faculty value hands-on classroom experience and are looking for a person interested in developing in-person teaching techniques. The successful candidate will have a broad knowledge of multiple areas of astronomy. They will be able to teach standard introductory astronomy courses, and also develop other introductory courses with emphases in different areas that might include the solar system, extra planetary systems, stars, galaxies, astrobiology etc. We encourage applicants who practice project-based learning. We are looking for a candidate who follows a multidisciplinary approach and will work readily with other colleagues in our division to create such courses.
Faculty members in our department are active in local and national professional organizations. Our program supports innovations in teaching and encourages the use of active learning strategies. Inside the classroom, this includes a nationally recognized undergraduate research course as well as course-based undergraduate research (CUREs). Outside the classroom, the Green River chapter of the Society of Physics Students has been nominated as the outstanding chapter in the nation multiple times. Our students have been accepted into summer research programs at universities and in industry. We have strong lab support in the form of tech staff, equipment, and faculty colleagues with knowledge of automation and imaging with small telescopes.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE:
Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:
We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.
The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.Faculty members teach in-person, perform campus service, and attend campus events.
Responsibilities include student advising, assisting in curriculum development, collaboration with Science Division colleagues, and other professional activities as described in the faculty contract.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
* Demonstrated knowledge of Astronomy and Physics as detailed in the position description.
* Demonstrated knowledge and successful incorporation of active/student-centered methods in classroom teaching.
* Ability to adapt teaching methods to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
* Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate open-ended labs and investigations that develop lab skills and research skills in students.
* Demonstrated leadership abilities.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators, and others of various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and those with disabilities.
* Awareness of and commitment to the community college mission.
* Awareness of existing gaps in achievement in diverse student populations and a commitment to developing innovative classroom practices or courses to bridge these gaps.
* Ability to be flexible to the division's needs in schedule and location. Classes could include occasional night or branch campus offerings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
* Master's degree in astronomy with a bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy; or a master's degree in physics with a bachelor's degree in astronomy.
* Demonstrated ability for teaching introductory astronomy at the college level as the instructor of record. Instructor of record means being responsible for all aspects of a college course including teaching lectures, teaching labs, creating assessments, and assigning final course grades.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
* Successful community college astronomy teaching experience as the instructor of record for more than a year.
* Experience teaching physics at the college level as the instructor of record.
Attach the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled Supplemental Questions ) to be considered for this position.
* A Cover Letter which specifically describes how you meet each qualification
* Resume
* Supplemental question(s)
* Copies of college transcripts documenting all undergraduate and graduate degrees and all relevant coursework (unofficial copies for application; official copies required upon hire).
* Contact information (must include email and telephone numbers) for three references. Do not send letters of recommendation now.
(*) Should you have any difficulties uploading the below documents, please contact NeoGov tech support at 1-855-###-#### Mon-Fri 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. pacific time.
This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.
All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.)
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080.
Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link:
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Green River College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-###-####.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) ###-####.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) ###-####, ext. 2631; TTY (253) ###-####.
Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal. Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College's Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Reporting: Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College's appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President's office for referral to an alternate designee.
For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants:
Amelia Barbadoro, Title IX Coordinator Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Email: ...@greenriver.edu