Assistant Professor, Astronomy

Position Summary:

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) invites applications from a diverse pool of candidates for a full-time faculty position in the Astronomy Department, beginning Fall 2026. The successful candidate will teach astronomy lecture and laboratory courses and will be prepared to deliver instruction in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities. As a full-time faculty member at JCCC, responsibilities include maintaining regular office hours; serving on department, division, and college-wide committees; developing and revising curriculum; designing and implementing assessments of student learning outcomes; participating in professional development; and collaborating with faculty, staff, and stakeholders across the College and the broader community. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.
While not required, faculty members are encouraged to pursue professional opportunities such as national and international travel for conferences and workshops, grant writing and publishing, and participation in independent or course-based undergraduate research with students.
JCCC is located in Overland Park, Kansas, part of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The community is known for its museums, restaurants, and vibrant music and arts scene. JCCC is committed to fostering a rich cultural environment and is home to an award-winning contemporary art museum and a nationally recognized center for the performing arts.

All applications must be submitted through the JCCC jobs portal. Required application materials include:
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (resume)
• Unofficial transcripts
• One-page teaching philosophy

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in Astronomy and/or Physics.
• At least one year of college-level teaching experience in astronomy lecture and laboratory courses.
• Demonstrated computer literacy, including the ability to communicate electronically, develop instructional materials, and enter grades using learning management and institutional systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with appropriate instructional and discipline-specific software.
• Demonstrated fluency in both written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated experience with the use, care, and maintenance of telescopes and related equipment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Astronomy or Physics, including a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in astronomy and/or physics.
• Three years of community college teaching experience in astronomy lecture and laboratory courses.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in research, including independent projects or course-based research experiences.

Position Details: Job duties include but are not limited to:

Teaching – Faculty members are expected to be effective teachers and excel in course instruction. Listed below are the minimum expectations of faculty who teach at JCCC.

• Effective teaching requires content expertise: Faculty must demonstrate deep subject knowledge, including key concepts, current and relevant research, methodologies, tools and techniques, and meaningful applications. Consequently, faculty members are expected to do the following: Possess thorough and accurate knowledge of his or her specific field/discipline including the ability to evaluate and apply content. Be committed to professional development by keeping current in their respective discipline. Maintain faculty credentials as required by the college’s accrediting agencies.
• Effective teaching reflects sound instructional methods drawn from the scholarship of teaching and learning, and cultivates a supportive learning environment that allows students to think critically and experiment with material. Therefore, faculty members are expected to do the following: Select and develop instructional materials; plan and organize instruction to enhance student learning; create appropriate assignments to encourage student learning, the development of communication skills, and higher order thinking; and use available instructional technology, as appropriate. Use a variety of proven methods of engagement and assessment that facilitate student mastery of the content. Provide students constructive, encouraging, and corrective feedback. Evaluate student learning by creating and applying course competencies and accurately evaluating student progress. Strive to increase teaching effectiveness through the application of appropriate teaching and learning strategies; evaluate student learning and modify instructional methods and strategies as appropriate to meet diverse student needs.
• Effective teaching communicates successfully. Effective teaching clearly articulates high, achievable, and purposeful expectations. Effective teaching adeptly guides meaningful course activities, allowing students to advance their knowledge or skill. As a result, faculty members are expected to do the following: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in clear communication of subject matter to the students. Provide timely, substantive feedback in appropriate forms.
• Effective teachers should meet institutional expectations. Therefore, faculty members are expected to do the following: Meet classes as scheduled; notify the appropriate Chair, Assistant Dean, or Dean in advance if they are to be absent, and, if possible, arrange for a substitute instructor or assignments for his or her class. Be accessible to students through e-mail, wireless/cellular technology, or scheduled office hours including arranging, when necessary, additional time for appointments. Prepare and distribute syllabi in accordance with established procedures and guidelines and follow the published final exam schedule. Maintain accurate records of students’ academic standing; promptly provide final grades, attendance, and other information as required by administration. Respect the confidentiality of student information; refrain from discussing or releasing such information except within recognized limits. Evaluate students based solely on their academic performance and to respond promptly to student grade questions and/or appeals.

Member of the College Community – In addition to teaching, faculty members are expected to be an active member of the college community. Listed below are the expectations of faculty as responsible and professional representatives of JCCC. Members of the college community should perform their professional responsibilities in accordance with the goals, missions, and plans of the department, program, division and College. Therefore, faculty members are expected to do the following:

• Fulfill all requirements as stated in College policies and procedures including mandatory training. Attend and participate in all required meetings and exercise stewardship in the use of college facilities and materials. Submit information or materials related to their assigned duties as requested by college administrators or peers in a timely manner.
• Members of the college community should contribute to the creation of a collegial culture. As colleagues, all faculty have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars. Faculty do not discriminate against or harass colleagues. They respect and defend the free inquiry of associates, even when it leads to findings and conclusions that differ from their own. Faculty accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of the institution (drawn from AAUP Statement on Professional Ethics, 1966, Revised 1987, 2009). Therefore, faculty members are expected to do the following: Collaborate with faculty, staff, and stakeholders from across the College and the community in order to create, preserve, and enhance important partnerships. Provide support for both adjunct and full-time colleagues in the form of consultation and cooperation; work as effective team members when required. Treat all members of the college community with dignity and respect demonstrating professional, courteous behavior and engage in constructive conflict resolution, when needed.
• In addition, full-time faculty members are expected to serve the College by contributing to the growth and enhancement of the College mission and programs. Consequently, full-time faculty members are expected to do the following: Fulfill all requirements as stated in the Master Agreement. Participate in instructional and College planning and assist in the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff. Serve on college, division, program, and department committees and assist the Chair or Dean in the exercise of their duties. Attend and participate in professional development opportunities including activities during Professional Development Days and other opportunities offered by the College and/or external organizations. Create and revise, develop and amend where appropriate, departmental or program curricula.

*Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity, may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. Scheduling, shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

To be considered for this position we will require an application, resume, cover letter, unofficial transcripts, and one page teaching philosophy.

*Unofficial transcripts are required for all Adjunct faculty and Faculty positions.

Benefits Category

For Full‑time Employees:

• Health insurance with some employer paid options.
• Life insurance & AD&D (employer provided)
• Retirement plans (403(b), 457(b), and KPERS)
• Employer paid 8% contribution into a 403(b) no match required
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, personal, and floating holidays)
• 14 days of paid holidays
• Full tuition reduction for JCCC credit courses (for employee and eligible dependents)
• Tuition reimbursement / assistance for non‑JCCC courses for employee
• And many more!

Additional Incentives:

• Free access to the Gym on campus for all employees and dependents
• Discount to the Hiersteiner Child Development Center
• Snow days
• Professional development funding and training opportunities
• Mentorship program
• Recognition and awards programs
• Employee wellness programs