JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice
DIVISION/DEPARTMENT: Social Sciences | School of Education and Social Sciences
FLSA STATUS: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Chair, Social Sciences Division
The Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice is a part-time faculty position employed for a specific assignment and specified academic term. The Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice shall have the primary responsibility of supporting the Social Sciences Division by maximizing its operating performance while achieving institutional goals and objectives. The successful candidate will deliver high-quality instruction aligned with departmental learning outcomes, support student success, and help students connect criminal justice theory to practice within Florida's law enforcement, courts, corrections, and homeland security systems. Adjunct appointments are made each term based on enrollment and curricular need and carry no expectation of continued employment beyond the contracted term.
Essential Functions
- Teach assigned undergraduate Criminal Justice courses, which may include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Policing and Law Enforcement Administration, Corrections, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Investigation, Juvenile Justice, Victimology, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Research Methods in Criminal Justice.
- Prepare and deliver instruction using the departmentally approved syllabus, course objectives, and required texts; supplement with current cases, statutes, and practitioner examples relevant to Florida and South Florida jurisdictions.
- Develop and administer assignments, examinations, and assessments that measure stated student learning outcomes, and submit assessment data as requested for program review, accreditation, and SACSCOC reporting.
- Deliver instruction effectively across in-person, hybrid, and online modalities, using the University's learning management system (Canvas) to post the syllabus, materials, assignments, and grades.
- Meet all assigned class sessions for the full scheduled time and follow University procedures for class cancellations, substitutions, and inclement weather.
- Maintain accurate attendance records and enter mid-term and final grades by published University deadlines, including verification of attendance required for financial aid compliance.
- Hold reasonable office hours or scheduled availability (in person or virtual) for student consultation before or after class sessions.
- Refer students to academic advising, tutoring, counseling, and other student support services, and participate in early-alert and retention initiatives.
- Uphold academic integrity, FERPA requirements, Title IX reporting obligations, and all University policies contained in the Faculty Handbook and Student Handbook.
- Communicate promptly and professionally with students, the Chair of Social Sciences, and University staff.
- Participate in adjunct orientation, required training, and periodic departmental meetings or professional development sessions as scheduled.
- Contribute, as available, to internship supervision, guest lectures, career panels, and student organizations that connect students with criminal justice agencies and legal professionals in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
- Perform other instructionally related duties as assigned by the Chair of Social Sciences or the Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences.
- The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relate to the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to handle information of a sensitive and confidential nature in the utmost professional manner.
- Effective analytical and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills. Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse constituents.
- Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing environment are extremely important, as well as dependability.
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.
- Basic technology proficiency, including e-mail, word processing, and the ability to learn and use Canvas and the University's student information system.
- Knowledge of Learning Management Systems.
- Commitment to the mission of an HBCU and to serving a diverse student population.
- Ability to be physically present on the Miami Gardens campus for assigned face-to-face sections.
- Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
Minimum Requirements
- Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution; OR a master's degree in another discipline with a minimum of eighteen (18) graduate semester hours in Criminal Justice or Criminology, consistent with SACSCOC faculty credentialing requirements.
- Documented knowledge of the American criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
- Extensive hours and weekends will be required at times.
Preferred Qualifications
- Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or D.Crim.) in Criminal Justice or Criminology, or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school for courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, or Constitutional Law.
- Prior college or university teaching experience, particularly at an HBCU or other minority-serving institution.
- Substantial practitioner experience in law enforcement, prosecution or defense, the judiciary, probation and parole, corrections, juvenile justice, victim services, forensic science, homeland security, or emergency management.
- Working knowledge of Florida Statutes, Florida criminal procedure, and the structure of Florida's criminal justice agencies, including FDLE, the Florida Department of Corrections, and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
- Experience teaching online or hybrid courses and familiarity with Canvas, Blackboard, or comparable learning management systems.
- Experience with culturally responsive and active-learning pedagogy, including case studies, mock trial or moot court exercises, scenario-based training, and service learning.
- Familiarity with program assessment, curriculum mapping, or accreditation processes.
- Ability to teach interdisciplinary or complementary courses in Law and Government, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Public Administration.
- Established professional relationships with criminal justice agencies, legal organizations, or community partners in South Florida that may support internships and career placement for students.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish or Haitian Creole.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Criminal background check
Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.