Part-Time Turfgrass Management Instructor (Remote)

University of California, Riverside – University Extension

ABOUT UCR UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
University Extension is the continuing and professional education division of the University of California, Riverside offering programs and certificates to domestic and international students. University Extension values excellence and has educated international students for over forty years.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Position Title: Turfgrass: Part-Time UNEX Instructor
Salary Range: A reasonable estimate for this position is: $650 per unit. This is a 3-unit course. Plus, an approximate $100 per unit as a course development fee (payable for the first time the course is taught in each modality)
Anticipated Start: Between Fall 2024 and Winter 2024

POSITION DESCRIPTION
University Extension is seeking experienced professionals to join our instructional team as part-time instructors for adult learners. Successful candidates of this continuous recruitment will be eligible to teach courses as they are scheduled during the year for our Professional Certificate in Turfgrass Management. Students in this program will learn about biology, pesticides, irrigation, and soil fertility involved in everyday turfgrass management. The program explores the latest trends in agriculture and sustainability to enable the ability to make confident informed decisions in landscape planning and design.

Courses are 6-10 weeks in length, an average of 4 teaching hours per week, and are offered online. Taught in Pacific Time.

Courses include:
-Principles of Plant Growth
-Turfgrass Species and Applications
-Foundations of Turfgrass Management
-Management Skills for Turfgrass and Landscape Managers
-Turfgrass Irrigation and Drainage
-Turfgrass Pests
-Pesticide Use on Turfgrass and Ornamental Plants
-Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide instruction in accordance with the established instructional agreement,
curriculum outlines, and class schedule provided by University Extension.
• Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students,
and clearly outline the grading policies of the course.
• Work in conjunction with collaborative partners and subject matter experts to
ensure that course information is current.
• Participate in scheduled orientations, meetings, and mandatory training
programs by UCR’s established deadlines.
• Maintain timely and accurate academic records within the learning management
system and submit timely and accurate documentation as outlined in the
Instructional Agreement.
• Maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct.

REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Requirements

• A degree in Turfgrass Science, Environmental Science, Horticulture Turfgrass Management, Biology, Agriculture or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Five years of related work experience.
• Ability to provide instruction online.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Provide instruction in accordance with the established instructional agreement, curriculum outlines and class schedule provided by University Extension.
• Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students, and clearly outline the grading policies of the course.
• Work in conjunction with collaborative partners and subject matter experts to ensure that course information is current.
• Participate in scheduled orientations, meetings, and mandatory training programs by UCR’s established deadlines.
• Create course shell, maintain timely and accurate academic records within the learning management system, and submit timely and accurate documentation as well as student grades as outlined in the instructional agreement.
• Maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct.
• Commitment to diversity and the University’s mission.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching adult learners. 
• Experience with curriculum development and course design.
• Experience teaching online courses using Canvas.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Ability to teach a wide range of courses.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
To apply please visit https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF01886. This is a continuous recruitment. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. The interview process may include a teaching demonstration. For more information about UCR Extension, please visit http://www.extension.ucr.edu/.

Applications must include:
• Curriculum Vitae - Most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching
• Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence - Statement on your past and/or potential future contributions to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, which is a key requirement of the role of every faculty member and administrator at UCR. There are numerous ways to contribute, and a commitment to this part of our mission can be reflected through research, teaching, supervision, mentoring, community engagement, service, and any of the other varied activities that are part of an academic career.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Instructional agreements are made on a course-by-course basis at the discretion of the University with no guarantee to teach future courses. This part-time position has no benefits but participates in the University of California Defined Contribution Plan.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.