Faculty - Political Science (174 Day)

Faculty - Political Science (174 Day)

Location

Main Campus, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type

Full-Time Board-Approved

Job Number

03045

Division

Academic Affairs

Department

Social Sciences

Opening Date

10/26/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB GOAL:

To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Social Sciences Department will hire a faculty with a required course load of 15 credit hours per semester. Instructors' primary responsibility is fostering student learning in the following areas:

• Political Science
• American National Government-Primary Content
• Introduction to Political Science
• International Relations
• Comparative Government and Politics

Instructional practice is expected to adhere to Kirkwood's Quality Instruction Indicators. Teaching schedule will be assigned by the dean and may involve teaching at various Kirkwood locations in a variety of delivery formats including online, face to face, and hybrid. Instructors may be assigned to teach evenings and weekends. In addition to teaching responsibilities, instructors are expected to dedicate one eighth of their effort to a combination of service to the college and professional development activities that enhance their field-specific expertise and/or teaching practices. Instructors are responsible for meeting the goals and objectives of an individual Professional Preparation Plan as outlined by the colleges Quality Faculty Plan.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and teach courses as assigned; deliver courses in variable delivery times, methods, and locations as required by the college.
• Effectively organize, prepare, and teach assigned courses in accordance with established syllabi to students with varying backgrounds and abilities and adjust teaching techniques accordingly.
• Evaluate student performance and provide timely feedback on a regular basis.
• Utilize the Kirkwood Learning Management System to post course syllabi and relevant documents and provide access to student grade book.
• Maintain regularly-scheduled office hours according to college requirements and be available to students on an as-needed basis for student questions and discussions regarding their performance.
• Discuss program, career, transfer options and other college services with students to support informed academic decisions.
• Participate in curriculum development, revision, and assessment activities at course, program, department, and college levels.
• Meet the college's requirements for professional development and service to the college, which together make up one eighth of a faculty member's job responsibilities.
• Professional development: Develop expertise in the field(s) of instruction and develop and apply teaching approaches that support student success; actively seek information about emerging trends and ideas.
• Service to the college: Support college priorities by participating in the development and/or execution of department, division, and college tasks, projects, and goals.
• Maintain relationships with K12, transfer, community, and/or industry partners.
• Be responsive to college communication and complete all mandated trainings and compliance tasks.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Uphold the college's core values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence.
• Practice teaching approaches that align with the college's Quality Instruction Indicators.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
• Represent the college in the most positive manner with prospective, former, and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve.
• Read, understand, and express oneself clearly and effectively in oral and written form and possess digital literacy skills related to computer technology.
• Be creative, energetic, and self-motivated with demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing. The position involves occasional (10-33%) driving to events and meetings away from KCC's main campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Political Science or a closely related field with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in the discipline.
• Demonstrated successful teaching experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering curriculum for students with varied learning needs.
• Demonstrated experience of effectively teaching and/or working with people from varied backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Experience teaching a variety of courses in political science and government.
• Graduate course work in United States History
• Community College teaching experience.
• Experience teaching fully online or hybrid courses.
• Experience using emerging technologies in teaching.
• Experience and commitment to using open-education resources (OER).
• Experience and comfort teaching in different modalities, including online and in-person courses.

EEO/AA STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572,equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:OCR.Denver@ed.gov.

WHY KIRKWOOD:

Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them here!

01

Do you have a masters degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Political Science or a closely related field with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in the discipline?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have demonstrated successful teaching experience in higher education?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have demonstrated experience designing and delivering curriculum for students with varied learning needs and experience of effectively teaching and/or working with people from varied backgrounds?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Kirkwood Community College

Address 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404

Phone 319-398-5572

Website http://www.kirkwood.edu