Astronomy Degree Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Astronomy Instructor

Position Type: Instructor

College: Red Rocks Community College

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: RRCC Engineering

Campus: RRCC Lakewood Campus

Location: Lakewood

Salary Range: $1,213.06 to $1,881.40 per credit hour

Who We Are:

Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Learning, Collaboration, Community, Belonging, and Empowerment.
RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.

Job Summary:

Red Rocks Community College seeks dynamic, dedicated, and student-centered individuals to serve as Part-Time Astronomy Instructors. Reporting to the Physical Science and Engineering Department Chair, this role is responsible for delivering high-quality instruction in a variety of Astronomy courses, across multiple modalities—face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Teaching assignments may take place during daytime, evening, or weekend hours at either of the college’s campuses or online. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to student learning, academic excellence, and equity, while fostering an inclusive classroom environment that supports the diverse needs of our student population.
The work schedule for this position is variable, based on course availability, at the Lakewood campus location. May require hours outside of normal work schedule.
This position may work up to 28 hours per week, depending on budget and need.

Compensation is based on credit hour/contact hour ratios and ranges from $1,213.06 to $1,881.40 per credit hour.

This posting will remain open on a continuous basis, and applicants will be selected as needed until the position is filled or the posting expires. Please note: 
• Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. 
• Completed applications will remain active for 12 months from the date of submission. 
• There is no need to reapply during this 12-month period unless there are updates to your application materials. 
• After the 12-month period, applicants are welcome to reapply if the position is still open. 

Competencies/KSAs:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Proficiency with instructional technology, learning management systems, and standard office software.
• Ability to follow approved curriculum, student learning outcomes, and college policies and procedures.
• Flexibility to teach daytime, evening, weekend, hybrid, laboratory, classroom, and off-site courses as assigned.
• Ability to adapt instruction to meet program needs, course objectives, and varying student learning needs.

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Geology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Tested experience may be used in lieu of the degree requirement on a case-by-case basis. 

Physical & Cognitive Demands
The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position.
• Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
• The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.

Selection Process:

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Instructions: 

Advertised Hourly Pay
The compensation for this position is $1,213.06 - $1,881.40 per credit hour, commensurate with education and experience. This is a part-time, FLSA exempt position and may work up to 28 hours per week, depending on budget and need. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.

To Apply
All applicants must submit:
1. Resume
2. Detailed letter of interest (cover letter) addressing the job announcement.
3. Unofficial transcripts
Visit our Careers website to submit your application.
If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Shane Spivey, Physical Science and Engineering Chair at Shane.Spivey@rrcc.edu.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu