POSITION: Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology, Non-Tenure Track (Exempt)

C OLLEGE/DEPARTMENT: Biology

S UPERVISOR TITLE: Head of the Biology Department

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

E XEMPTION: Teacher Exemption

L OCATION: HSU Campus, Abilene, TX

TARGET HIRE DATE: As Soon As Possible

HSU CHRISTIAN STANDARD REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT – Candidate must profess a Christian Faith, maintain membership in a local congregation, and respect the values and distinctives central to the historically Baptist values of HSU as reflected in the University's Statement of Faith.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Human Resources 325-670-1259 or [email protected]

SUMMARY/SCOPE:

The Department of Biology at Hardin-Simmons University invites applications for a full-time non-tenure track position at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. The candidate should have a strong background in biological sciences. A successful candidate will be expected to teach a minimum of 12 hours per semester, with the possibility of teaching during the summer terms for additional compensation. The candidate will teach introductory biology courses with an emphasis on organismal and field biology, a research methods course, and the possibility of a course in their expertise. Life science courses for non-majors may also be assigned in addition to other departmental courses. We seek a creative and flexible faculty member committed to excellence in student-centered, innovative undergraduate teaching. The applicant should either have documented teaching experience or be familiar with curriculum design, implementation of active learning strategies, and assessment of student learning. Courses would include both lecture and laboratory formats for biology majors, allied health majors, and to fulfill general education requirements. The successful candidate is expected to be dedicated to scholarship and demonstrate an on-going commitment to student research in the candidate's area of expertise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: These examples do not include all possible tasks & do not limit the assignment of related tasks.

Teach undergraduate courses and laboratories in Biology.

Demonstrate effective teaching strategies by planning and implementing a variety of student-centered teaching and assessment methods.

Maintain accurate records and documents, and submit timely reports, including but not limited to syllabi, grades, and office hours.

Mentor students in research in the field of expertise.

Support the lab coordinator in maintaining laboratory equipment and monitoring student workers.

Advise students in the biological sciences and provide strategies for academic success during office hours or in ad hoc appointments.

Engage in service to the university, department, and community.

Know and uphold the policies in the current faculty handbook.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No supervisor responsibilities, except for supervision of student workers.

COMPETENCIES: As a part of a Teaching Philosophy, address each competency listed below describing your background and qualifications in each area.

Interview decisions are partially based on this information.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

J o b Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision while working within a management of team; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

C o mmunications - Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

L e adership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.

O rg anizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

P lann ing/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES (Language, Mathematical, Reasoning and Computer Skills):

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing software; spreadsheet software; and Internet software.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Masters or doctorate in science is required with an emphasis in a biomedical field such as anatomy, physiology, or cell biology.

PhD preferred. ABD candidate will be considered, but if hired and the degree has not been earned by the start of the employment period, the initial appointment will be made at the rank of Instructor and will only be converted upon the documented completion of the degree.

Excellent teaching and communication skills required.

This position is a non-tenure track 9-month appointment with the possibility of teaching additional courses during summer sessions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

None are required for this position at this time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job is sedentary in nature. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods while performing office and computer operations. Occasionally will be required to stand; walk and stoop and/or kneel.

Occasional trips across campus from one building to another may be required.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 - 25 pounds.

Must be able to operate standard biological laboratory equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and explosives.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position is a Full-Time, Exempt Level Faculty position with a teaching load at the Hardin-Simmons University campus. Must be willing to relocate to Abilene, Texas, or the surrounding area to teach in-person classes on the HSU Campus.

Occasional travel may be required for student evaluation/sponsorship. Additional travel may be required on occasion for training workshops and/or professional conferences, etc.

Must have and maintain a valid Class C Driver's License and maintain a clear driving record to be insurable under the university liability policy.

Must be able to drive to complete work assignments on and off campus, as needed.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: For more information concerning benefits offered to HSU employees, see the HSU Benefits Summary on the HSU website.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:

HSU complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws including those prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, sex, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, disability, genetic information and military service. HSU is a private university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and may lawfully consider an applicant's religion as a selection criterion. HSU is committed to hiring faculty and staff who share an active Christian faith and fully support HSU's mission.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HSU provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment, except when the accommodation would impose an undue hardship. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be directed to Human Resources.

BACKGROUND SCREEN:

HSU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law. HSU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Hardin-Simmons University conducts background checks. Depending on the position, applicants may also be required to consent to a credit check as part of the background check process. As a non-profit institution of higher education committed to Christian faith and values, the University exercises its rights under state and federal law to use religion as a factor in making employment decisions.