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.

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.

This is a full-time faculty position in the Division of Communication and Arts, teaching 9-months each year and reporting to the Dean of Communication and Arts. The instructor is responsible for teaching 15 load hours each fall and spring semesters in Ceramics. The successful candidate will be joining a highly collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking faculty starting in August 2025.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to educate freshman and sophomore level students in handbuilt and wheelthrown ceramics techniques including the artistic theory in the discipline. In addition to the minimum qualifications listed, we seek a candidate who possesses additional knowledge in mold-making and production pottery which will enable them to work collaboratively with other disciplines that utilize the Integrated Design Lab which will provide students with practical and entrepreneurial applications in the medium of ceramics. This position will be instrumental to growth of our program in ceramics, and the successful candidate’s expertise will guide the direction of our curricula in the discipline.

Instructors in the art program prepare NWACC students both to enter the workforce as an integral part of the graphic design program upon graduation as well as transfer to baccalaureate institutions. Familiarity with the community college mission and appreciation for the diverse mission and student body of our college is strongly desired.

The instructor will be responsible for the following academic duties in accordance with College and Division policy

• Teach ceramics classes in the Art program.
• Remain current in the academic discipline and professional field.
• Participate in professional development opportunities both on and off campus.
• Participate in the continued development of the Ceramics program and the Integrated Design Lab.
• Prepare course syllabi, provide that all learning outcomes for the college are achieved, develop curriculum, and optimize student retention and success.
• Meet assigned classes, facilitate and evaluate student learning, submit grades by established deadlines, and maintain student records in accordance with FERPA regulations.
• Hold (10) office hours on campus to facilitate interaction with students, other faculty, staff, administrators, and the public each week.
• Attend college wide meetings, division, and departmental meetings as scheduled.
• Serve on committees, advisory boards, hiring committees, faculty senate, or as a student organization advisor.
• Attend commencement or other ceremonies appropriate to the faculty member’s discipline or program.
• Attend college wide meetings, division, and departmental meetings as scheduled.
• Perform other academic duties as assigned by the instructor’s supervisor.

Additional Divisional/Departmental/Community-Based Duties Include

• Work with department faculty on special projects as needed to organize, repair, and maintain all labs.
• Host public school students for tours and workshops to aid in recruitment efforts
• Initiate and manage a student-led semiannual pottery/ceramics sale
• Host and teach community workshops in ceramics and equipment used in ceramics production
• Develop an open studio time for community members to work
• General community outreach about the Ceramics program

Rate of pay: determined by 9 month faculty scale placement (education and experience)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This faculty member would teach three sections of Freshman and Sophomore level ceramics classes and manage the ceramics lab and firing schedules. They would be the point-person for NWACC’s three art and design degree plans and two certificates that incorporate ceramics subject matter. They would also develop workshops in the subject area for the community and work an interdisciplinary way with other subjects/disciplines in the Integrated Design Lab and potentially with other academic area constituents in the Division of Communication and Arts as needed. The candidate would also function as a studio technician for ceramics subject matter (Ceramics studio/lab) which would include the following duties:

• Oversee technical operations of the ceramics studio/classroom including,
  • Clay storage, material inventory, clay reclaim, and proper cleanup
  • Glaze maintenance, application methods including the use and maintenance of the spray booth and equipment; as well as firing methods and ranges for slips, underglazes, stains, lusters, and decals
  • Gas and electric kiln firing including oxidation, neutral and reduction firings, ramp/hold methods, shelf and stilt maintenance, bisque v. glaze fires, cone ranges, and slow cools
  • General equipment maintenance and operations of the slab roller, pottery wheels (band, pedal, etc.), extruder, pug mill (mixing and pugging), mixing drills; and, various hand tools and equipment including sponges, loop tools, ribbon tools, brushes, wooden modeling tool, needle tools, bat pins, throwing bats, banding wheels, hump and slump molds, springs, and texture mats
  • Knowledge of plaster (storage, cleaning, and disposal), coddling boards, mold storage, slip formation, mold casting, and mold soaps
  • Knowledge of the basics of electric kiln repair
• Coordinate department safety concerns to ensure the studio, faculty, and staff are in compliance with Environmental Health & Safety, EPA, and OSHA regulations.
• Provide ceramics training to students in coordination with other faculty, and test students in the safe use of equipment and the proper handling/storage of materials.
• Organize and maintain inventory of tools and equipment in ceramics studio/classroom.
• Submit work orders as needed and keep all tools in safe and working order.
• Purchase needed supplies for safety, equipment repair, and maintenance of Ceramics studio.
• Create and maintain firing schedule for kilns and insure proper procedures for firing and notification and oversight of firing times
• 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 effective project management skills, including the ability to plan, organize and schedule work in an efficient and productive manner, focusing on key priorities and meeting deadlines.
• 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
• 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
• The faculty member will be expected to provide service to the college and community as needed

Physical Demands

Frequently

• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Semi-regularly lift up to 50 pounds
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art – Ceramics
• At least 3 years teaching experience in ceramics at the college/post-secondary level
• At least 2 years managing a ceramics lab/studio including firing schedules of kilns (indicate types on application)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art - Ceramics
• Demonstrated expertise in an additional area relevant to the growth of the Ceramics program, as listed in the general description summary (Mold-making and production pottery)
• At least five years of teaching experience at the college/post-secondary level
• Experience using online learning management systems, such as Canvas, Blackboard, etc.
• Experience developing and evaluating curricula
• Experience managing educational or administrative processes
• At least 3 or more years managing a ceramics lab/studio including firing schedules of kilns (indicate types on application)

Required Application Materials

• Official NWACC application, including two (2) professional references
• Curriculum Vita
• Cover Letter describing how your expertise and experience aligns to the position description, particularly knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as a vision for the direction of the ceramics program outlined in the general description summary of the position.
• Copies of transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended must be uploaded with application.
• A digital portfolio via web link (can be noted on the cover letter or CV) showing a range of personal professional creative work and a range of students' ceramics works.

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