Mountain West HERC

Faculty – Industrial Automation Technologies Instructor (9-mo)

April 2026

Reports To:    Dean, School of Applied Technologies

Job Summary

Hawkeye Community College's Industrial Automation Technology program has a long and proud history of preparing students for careers in manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and advanced automation. We are seeking a student-focused instructor with hands-on industry experience to teach courses within our Industrial Automation Technology program. Are you ready to inspire and assist students to become successful in their industrial automation careers? If so, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join our amazing faculty team and make a lasting impact on students and the industrial automation industry!

At Hawkeye Community College, we understand that great instructors make all the difference. We believe students learn best from those who have real-world experience and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to excel in the field. Employers today seek versatile, skilled individuals who can adapt to the evolving demands of the workforce. Our programs are designed to help students build a solid foundation of technical skills and professional competencies needed for success in a dynamic industry. With the guidance of experienced faculty who bring both academic expertise and industry insights, students are well-prepared to meet and exceed these expectations.

Our full-time, 9-month faculty position involves teaching courses within the Industrial Automation Technology program, with primary instructional assignments focused on:

• Mechanical systems and power transmission
• Pneumatic systems
• Industrial safety
• Industrial networking
• Machine shop processes
• Industrial Robotics
• Hydraulic systems
• Schematics

Key responsibilities include planning and guiding the learning process to achieve curriculum goals while establishing clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects. Our role also involves active participation as a department member with a strong focus on student learning, facilitating discipline-related activities, assessing student achievement, providing program advising, and contributing to departmental committee work.

Teaching assignments may occur during both day and evening hours across various formats, including face-to-face and online. A typical full-time teaching load is 15 credit hours per term. The instructor is expected to maintain collaborative relationships with the Dean, fellow faculty, college divisions, prospective employers, and the community. Additional duties may be assigned as needed. We are interested in finding a knowledgeable, positive professional role model to inspire our students and work with a strong faculty team. The college provides a two-year faculty induction & mentoring program to support our newest faculty members and help them to be successful.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a wide array of students through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye Community College's mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides high-quality instruction and leadership to the students in the Industrial Automation Technology program.
• Prepares daily instructional plans and materials.
• Uses various instructional modalities as needed.
• Employs various instructional methods and materials that are appropriate for meeting stated objectives, assessing accomplishments of students on a regular basis, and providing progress reports as requested and required.
• Formulates and maintains curriculum for assigned courses.
• Maintains cooperative relationships with the Dean, supervisors, other faculty, the program's Advisory Committee, all divisions of the College, prospective employers, and the community.
• Participates in campus committees as assigned.
• Offers a safe and supportive learning environment while encouraging hands-on learning and problem solving.
• Establishes partnerships with industry stakeholders to enhance learning opportunities, strengthen employment pathways for students, stay updated on technology advancements in the industry, and align the program with workforce needs.
• Maintains and supervises the use of lab equipment and training materials.
• Maintains partnerships with our partners in other educational institutions to facilitate seamless transfer for students.
• Assists with student recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Mentors students on technical projects and hands-on tasks to enhance their learning experience.
• Interacts daily with students, faculty, and staff; interactions are essential and occur in person, via telephone, email, and other digital communication platforms.
• Maintains a safe working environment and adheres to industry-standard safety protocols during all classroom and lab activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Unless otherwise approved, regular on-campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position. 

Working Conditions

Industrial Automation Technology instructors are expected to teach approximately five days per week, with assignments that occasionally include day, evening, or weekend courses delivered in face-to-face, online, or hybrid formats. Work is performed in a combination of an office, an inside laboratory, and classroom setting using technology.

The position requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During the course of the day, interact with students, faculty, and staff in person, by telephone and computers. Instruction takes place in industrial laboratory settings where exposure to noise, mechanical equipment, and various materials is common.

Employment Status

Full-time, nine-month contractual position with comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick leave; tuition reimbursement / tuition remission; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).

• Beginning salaries are determined by education and experience based on the Hawkeye Professional Educators’ Association Master Agreement.

• The current 2026/2027 Academic Year 9-month faculty pay structure consists of 20 steps with Step 1 as $52,017 through Step 20 as $68,754.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Why you are interested in teaching industrial automation technology at Hawkeye Community College.

• How do you/would you incorporate real-world applications or current trends in industrial automation, fluid power, or robotics into your teaching.
• Provide examples of how you have/would integrate practical hands-on experiences into the classroom.

• Submit/upload a resume.
• Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past

• Application deadline: Sunday, May 17, 2026
• Priority screening begins: Monday, May 18, 2026
• Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Industrial Automation Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Mechanical Technology, or a closely related field.
• 5 years of recent, relevant work experience in the industrial automation, industrial maintenance, or manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: mechanical power transmission, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, or industrial robotics.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new and current technical skills and ideas.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills to positively interact with students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated motivation to serve students from all backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of faculty, staff, students, and general public in a professional and personable manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Community college experience.
• Post-secondary teaching experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or a related field with 3–5 years of recent, relevant work experience.
• Experience with industrial robotics programming and integration (e.g., FANUC, ABB, Universal Robots, or equivalent platforms).
• Industry-recognized credentials such as SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance), NIMS (National Institute for Metal Working Skills), MSSC (Manufacturing Skills Standard Council), or OSHA 10/30 General Industry certification.
• Familiarity with curriculum development and the ability to integrate emerging industry trends into coursework.

About Hawkeye Community College

Hawkeye Community College is focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business & Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career & technical programs & liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye's mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses & enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Connections working at Hawkeye Community College