Instructor of Agriculture: Plant Science – Full Time Tenure Track – School of Agriculture – Modesto Junior College 2023-2024

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s in agriculture, agriculture science, education with a specialization in agriculture or other agricultural area (including: agricultural business, agricultural engineering, agricultural mechanics, agronomy, animal science, enology, environmental (ornamental) horticulture, equine science, forestry, natural resources, plant science, pomology, soil science, viticulture or other agriculture science) OR the equivalent

Determined by California State Chancellors Office. Click link below for discipline applicable Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges (cccco.edu)

The District has adopted an equivalency procedure that enables consideration of applications by individuals who may not directly meet the qualifications listed above. For more information on equivalency, you may access the link below:
https://www.yosemite.edu/recruitment/equivalency_policy_and_procedures

Knowledge of and ability to appraise the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students. Sensitivity to the needs, problems and challenges associated with the diversity of the community college student population.

• Teaching lower division college course in Agriculture – Plant Science, Soil Science, Environmental Horticulture.
• Advancing equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established course outlines.
• Serve as the advisor for student led organizations/clubs.
• Supervise instructor selection and classroom assistance.
• Informing students of course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements.
• Preparing and grading class assignments and examinations and informing students of their academic progress.
• Supervise the establishment of work experience stations as well as the students at these stations.
• Maintaining attendance, scholastic, and other records and submitting them according to published policies and deadlines.
• Implement articulation agreements as students transfer to MJC from high school and to universities.
• Assist in maintaining and supervising instructional facilities as assigned (Beckwith Instructional Farm Laboratory)
• Attending department, division, and college-wide meetings on a regular basis.
• Posting and holding sufficient and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy.
• Developing, implementing, and assessing student-learning outcomes for courses and programs and using the results for improvement.
• Competent in new pedagogies, such as accelerated learning, supplemental instruction, on-line or hybrid teaching, and other pedagogies directed at improving student success and student equity.
• Engaging in data inquiry and self-assessment to develop strategies for student success, persistence, and equity.
• Collaborating in the development and revision of curriculum and in program review.
• Review appropriate textbooks, library books, and journals.
• Engaging in department program improvement initiatives.
• Meet regularly with the advisory committee.
• Participating in professional development activities, both departmental and college-wide, especially connected to closing disproportionate impact gaps and improving completion goals.
• Maintaining current knowledge in the subject matter area and effective teaching/learning strategies to meet the needs of all learning styles.
• Experience and skill with addressing issues of equity in the classroom.
• Experience and expertise in culturally responsive teaching in Agriculture, especially as it relates to the relevancy of Plant Science, Soil Science, and Environmental Science in students’ lives, interests, and communities
• Maintaining appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics.
• Engaging in the college’s participatory governance processes.
• The successful candidate may be assigned additional Agriculture courses where needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Mobility: ability to sit or stand for long periods, move about an office, and reach above and below desk level.
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a keyboard, handle individual papers, write and take notes.
• Lifting: occasional lifting of papers, files, equipment and material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
• Hearing/Talking: ability to hear normal speech, speak and hear on the telephone, and speak in person.
• Emotional/Psychological Factors: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including some public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

• Education and/or experience in teaching in Plant Science at the community college level, Plant Science, Soil Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Horticulture, Environmental Science, pomology, Agronomy, Enology, or other Agriculture Sciences.
• Current knowledge of Plant Science/Environmental Horticulture.
• Current understanding of assessment processes for improving student success at the course, program, and degree level.
• Competent in new pedagogies, such as accelerated learning, supplemental instruction, on-line or hybrid teaching, and other pedagogies directed at improving student success and student equity.
• Recent experience working with African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other minoritized students in the classroom, and an understanding of how historical patterns of exclusion of these groups within higher education shape patterns of participation and outcomes;
• Willingness to examine and remediate one’s instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support racially minoritized students;
• Experience and skill with addressing issues of equity in the classroom;
• Experience and expertise in culturally responsive teaching in Agriculture-Plant Science, Soil Science, or
• Environmental Horticulture, especially as it relates to the relevancy of Agriculture- Plant Science, Soil
• Science or Environmental Horticulture in students’ lives, interests, and communities;
• Demonstrated ability to address equity gaps within coursework and the classroom;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Hispanic-Serving designation for institutional, departmental, and instructional practices.
• Willingness to participate and supervise co-curricular activities related to the department. These activities would include (but are not limited to) FFA Field Day, community field days, recruitment events, advisory committee meetings, and acting as a judge of competitive events

• Ability to develop curriculum or services that stress innovation and improve student equity.
• Enthusiasm for the learning process.
• Developing industry connections in local program area.
• Interest in applying for grant opportunities.
• Commitment to supportive relationships with students and colleagues.
• Capable of instructing using teaching methods that accommodate various student-learning styles.
• Participate in professional growth and remain current in subject area and major state initiatives.
• Ability to operate effectively in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Vision and energy to plan and organize programs to enhance student success.
• Willingness to participate effectively in shared governance and to work collaboratively.
• Personal qualifications such as effective interpersonal communication skills, participation in community affairs, ability to conduct effective public presentations.
• Possess or have the ability to obtain a California Class B Driver’s License.