Assistant Professor Horticulture

Overview

Position: Assistant Professor Horticulture

Department: Academic Affairs

Type of Position: Full-time Faculty

Exemption Status: Exempt

Work Schedule, Hours per week: Varies depending on department needs; 40 hours per week

Opportunity for hybrid schedule: No

Starting Salary Range: $54,122.00 - $91,437.00 and determined based on relevant years of work experience provided on application and resume.

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) invites applications from a diverse pool of candidates for a full-time faculty position in the Horticulture Department, beginning Fall 2026. The successful candidate will teach Horticulture lecture and laboratory courses and should be prepared to deliver instruction in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities. They will evaluate and update curriculum to meet changing industry needs.

Excellent communication with an external advisory board consisting of local employers is essential. They will collaborate with colleagues in related disciplines such as Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Science and Floral Design as well as with the Center for Sustainability to create vibrant interdisciplinary synergies that enhance student skills, knowledge, and success.

As a full-time faculty member at JCCC, responsibilities include maintaining regular office hours; serving on department, division, and college-wide committees; developing and revising curriculum; designing and implementing assessments of student learning outcomes; participating in professional development; and collaborating with faculty, staff, and stakeholders across the College and the broader community. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

While not required, faculty members are encouraged to pursue professional opportunities such as national and international travel for conferences and workshops, grant writing and publishing, and participation in independent or course-based undergraduate research with students.

JCCC is located in Overland Park, Kansas, part of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The community is known for its museums, restaurants, and vibrant music and arts scene. JCCC is committed to fostering a rich cultural environment and is home to an award-winning contemporary art museum and a nationally recognized center for the performing arts.

All applications must be submitted through the JCCC jobs portal. Required application materials include:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (resume)
• Unofficial transcripts

Required Qualifications

• Master of Science degree with 18 graduate hours in Horticulture or related discipline.
• Teaching experience in the K-12 educational system or as an industry professional.
• Evidence of collaboration and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Horticulture or related discipline.
• Teaching experience at the college level.
• Experience working in some aspect of the horticultural/landscaping/agricultural industry.

Job duties include but are not limited to: Teaching – Faculty members are expected to be effective teachers and excel in course instruction. Listed below are the minimum expectations of faculty who teach at JCCC.

• Effective teaching requires content expertise: demonstrate deep subject knowledge, current and relevant research, methodologies, tools and techniques, and meaningful applications. Faculty must:
• Possess thorough knowledge of their field, including the ability to evaluate and apply content.
• Commit to professional development by staying current in their discipline.
• Maintain faculty credentials as required by accrediting agencies.
• Use sound instructional methods drawn from the scholarship of teaching and learning; create a supportive learning environment; encourage critical thinking and experimentation.
• Select and develop instructional materials; plan and organize instruction; create assignments to support student learning, communication skills, and higher order thinking; use available instructional technology.
• Use varied engagement and assessment methods; provide constructive feedback; evaluate student learning through course competencies and progress.
• Strive to…