Earth Science

Schedule Information This is a full-time, tenure track position. Maintains a minimum of 6 office hours per week for student consultation and teaching 15 contact hours per week. Serves on college committees, participates in departmental and divisional initiatives. Weeks per fiscal year Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period (August thru May) Benefits Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense Position Description and Duties:

About us:

Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened its doors in September 1967. Named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, the College carries forward this legacy of innovation in education.

Today, Harper College stands as one of the nation’s premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers and seamless transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers a wide range of associate degree and certification programs, advanced career tracks, workforce training, professional development opportunities, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults, and developmental education programs.

At Harper College, we are committed to facilitating active learning and fostering the knowledge, critical thinking, and life/work skills necessary for participation in our global society. We collaborate with our community partners to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and economic fabric of our district. We believe that excellence in education must thrive within an ethical environment of integrity and respect. We recognize that the strength of our society is rooted in diversity, and it is through synergy that we achieve excellence. Our core values—Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence—guide everything we do.

Aspen Prize

· For the second consecutive time, Harper College is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s most prestigious recognition for community colleges that are attaining high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Latine students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

· Twenty colleges are vying for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s 2025 Prize. Harper was also one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2023 prize.

Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)

· In 2023, Harper College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the . Department of Education and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)

· This designation provides federal funding to enhance educational programs and support services for Latine and underrepresented students.

· Latine students make up about 30% of Harper's enrollment, reflecting the College's pride in its HSI status.

Equity and Diversity Award

· Harper College received the 2023 Equity and Diversity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA).

· The award honors leadership in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for underrepresented groups.

· Harper previously won this award in 2017

Position Description and Duties:  

The Physical Science Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in the field of geology. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to geology and earth science courses. 

Earth science and geology courses serve students across campus completing their general education physical science requirement. Some classes also serve as required or elective courses for other programs on campus.

Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the earth science program. The Physical Science Department maintains a world-class collection of geological samples, comprising more than 8,000 specimens. Classroom technology includes an instructor’s podium with overhead projectors and a set of laptop computers for student use.

The successful candidate will be able to teach a wide variety of introductory courses to students of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of college readiness using traditional and alternative delivery methods. We encourage interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our course offerings. This position teaches a standard load of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester (30 credits per academic year) consisting chiefly of earth science and geology courses. This may include reassigned time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, and/or online modalities and may also have the opportunity to teach in the Honors Program, Social Justice Studies Program and "linked" courses (through the college's Learning Communities Program). 

Candidates should possess expertise in areas such as physical, historical and environmental geology. They should have experience teaching lab courses at the introductory level. Additionally, experience with collection management is an essential skill. 

Educational Requirements Master’s degree in geology, geosciences, or earth sciences or a master’s degree in a related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in geology, geoscience or earth science. Experience Requirements

The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate: 

Master’s degree or higher in geology or a related field 

Experience teaching lab classes at the introductory level 

Experience managing a collection of geological samples 

Application Review Date Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before: November 14, 2024

Special Notes

*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:

Cover letter CV/Resume (Does not substitute for completed application) Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Regionally accredited institutions A one page single-spaced statement of your teaching philosophy. In your teaching philosophy, please include how you approach classroom management, how you assess students, and how you use instructional technology.

* Official transcripts required upon hire
* Employment is contingent upon Criminal Background Check. 
* Employment sponsorship is not available.

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