Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) / Drone Technology Adjunct Faculty

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs professional duties in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the college.
• Provides classroom, laboratory, and/or flight instruction related to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), drone operations, safety, regulations, and applications in accordance with the stated philosophy, objectives, and established course outlines of the college.
• Informs students of course regulations, evaluation procedures, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements (as applicable), and other information pertinent to the course; prepares a course syllabus for each course and distributes it at the start of each term.
• Available for student advising and mentoring, including guidance on academic progress, career pathways, and industry certifications (e.g., FAA Part 107).
• Maintains regular office hours to ensure availability for student consultation; provides assistance to students in a timely manner.
• Maintains accurate scholastic records of students; submits required reports on student progress according to published deadlines.
• Ensures compliance with safety procedures, risk management practices, and institutional guidelines during laboratory and flight operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the department chair.

Minimum Requirements:

• Associates degree or higher in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering, Technology, or a closely related field
• One year full-time equivalent (2000 hrs) professional work experience in UAS/drone operations, data collection, inspection, public safety, agriculture, cinematography, mapping, or other relevant industry applications.
• Current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) OR ability to obtain certification prior to teaching flight-related courses.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FAA regulations, airspace, safety procedures, and best practices related to UAS operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students in classroom, laboratory, and/or online learning environments.
• Ability to learn the Parkland information system and new programs as technology changes.
• Maintains all professional credentials required to teach in area of discipline.
• Prospective new hires will successfully complete a post offer, pre-employment criminal background check with fingerprinting. The background check review includes, but is not limited to, exclusionary offenses per the Illinois School Code and Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
• In an effort to comply with SURS return-to-work restrictions for employers (40 ILCS 5/15-139.5), candidates for employment at Parkland College must either not be a SURS annuitant or must be willing to suspend his/her SURS annuity upon employment. This applies to all SURS annuitants except those receiving their annuity under either the Self-Managed Plan (SMP) or by lump sum payment.