NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

Special Instructor and Curriculum Specialist for NWACC’s Trails Program will be a highly experienced and motivated individual who believes in educational access for all students, as well as the importance of trades education. The FT Special Instructor and Curriculum Specialist for the Trail Technician Program will teach a 5:5 load and assist with building out the trail-building technician program curriculum as well as NWACC’s continuing education, professional development, and accelerated skills training trails course offerings, including evening classes and summer workshops. This person must be familiar with current guidelines, policies, and regulations as it relates to community college education in Arkansas, and this position will assist the Trails Program Director with every level of compliance, assessment, and accreditation. Finally, this position will assist with recruitment and inclusion of underrepresented groups, as well as develop the K12 student pipeline, into NWACC’s Trails Technician Program. This position will be fully or partially grant funded for 5 years, after which tuition, fees, and auxiliary revenue must cover.

General Description of Position and Summary of Essential Duties

TRAILS

• Help develop curriculum for and teach the following potential courses as both credit and accelerated skills training (continuing education/professional development):

TRAL 1003

Introduction to Trails

TRAL 1013

Trail Planning and Design

TRAL 1023

Trail Construction

TRAL 1033

Trail Maintenance and Management

TRAL 2003

Trail Operations and Regulations

TRAL 2711

Heavy Equipment Operations for Trails

TRAL 2811

Welding for Trails

TRAL 2911

Small Engine Repair for Trails

• Work a minimum of a 40-hour work week, including the assignment of 12-15 instructional load hours (credit and accelerated skills training), curriculum development hours, and 10+ office hours within Trails and Trades Division.

• Develop and support methods of face-to-face, hybrid, and online instruction for Trail Technician Curriculum, including thorough and effective use of NWACC’s LMS system.

• Meet assigned classes, facilitate, and evaluate student learning, submit grades by established deadlines, and maintain student records in accordance with FERPA regulations, including continuing education and evening classes.

• Actively participate in the continued development of the Trails Trade School curriculum, programming, credential, and grant activity and development.

• Participate in the summative and formative faculty evaluation process. Participate in professional development opportunities both on and off campus.

• Remain current in the academic discipline and with technological or pedagogical advances that promote student learning.

• Supervise, monitor, organize, and facilitate the Trails labs, under the guidance of the Program Director, and assist with student lab time when classes are not being held.

• Teach classes during day, afternoon, night, and/or weekend.

• Assist with student recruitment, retention, completion and placement efforts.

• Assist with implementation and assessment of the Trails Apprenticeship Program RTI and OJT, in partnership with Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program (WAAP), and ensure the occupational KSAs are met

• Attend college wide meetings, division, and departmental meetings as scheduled.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary $55000-$65000 annually

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of and demonstrated success with sustainable trail design, construction, and maintenance practices.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, including the ability to plan, organize and schedule work in an efficient and productive manner, focusing on key priorities and meeting deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Knowledge of environmental regulations and permits related to trail construction and maintenance.

• Experience working with volunteers and community groups on trail-related projects.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Passion for trails and the outdoors.

• Must possess the ability to communicate with others in a clear, understandable and professional manner on the phone and in person, and the demonstrated use of good written and verbal communication skills.

• Must possess an understanding of and appreciation for the community college and its socioeconomic role in access to higher education, as well as the varied student types served by NWACC.

• Must possess the ability to work with multiple student types and learning styles.

• Must possess the desire to see students succeed and to implement strategies accordingly.

• Must possess the ability to rise above challenges and setbacks and work with a team to achieve desired results.

• Must possess the ability to teach online, in-person, and hybrid courses.

• Must be able to use web-based learning management systems (Canvas).

• Must possess the ability to work on multiple tasks and projects and to prioritize.

• Must possess effective organizational skills and attention to detail; effective follow-through, and commitment to excellence.

• Must possess the ability to maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

• Must possess the ability to learn and apply new information, knowledge and experiences in a timely manner.

• Must possess the ability to be flexible and adaptable to change.

Physical Demands

The following physical activities are associated with the position and will be performed with or without an accommodation. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Occasionally
Feeling
Grasping
Reaching
Standing
Stooping
Walking

Lifting

Sitting

Standing

Frequently
Driving
Hearing
Repetitive motion
Sitting

Standing

Constantly
Manipulating items with fingers, hands including keyboarding

Hearing

Repetitive motion

Talking

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: working with tools and equipment, preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer terminal; reading and grading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Hours may vary and may require evenings and weekends.

NWACC practices equal opportunity in education and employment and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within the college community.

Environmental Conditions

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

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Education

• Associate’s Degree in relevant field. Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.

• Minimum of three years’ teaching experience or equivalent.

• Minimum of three years’ progressively responsible leadership in the industry.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in relevant field. Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.

• Minimum of three years’ teaching experience or equivalent.

• Minimum of three years’ progressively responsible leadership in the industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the trail building industry – broadly defined (construction, landscape architecture, heavy equipment, etc.)

• Experience with and demonstrated commitment to two-year college students and accommodating learning needs.

• Experience with curriculum and supplemental instruction materials development.

• 
  Experience with utilizing technology to teach, evaluate, and assess student learning.

• 
  decision-making. assessment-for-learningClear history of data-driven and

• 
  Experience working with multifaceted stakeholder groups.

• 
  Experience with and demonstrated commitment to working with students in lab situations.

• 
  Commitment to student persistence, retention, and success and to continual professional development.

• Record of having used student evaluations for own continuous improvement.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.