Instructor, Opticianry

Do Great Things! Durham Technical Community College is hiring an instructor in the Opticianry Program. The instructor of Opticianry is primarily responsible for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of classroom, laboratory, and/or clinical instruction, and for providing those related services and support activities required for optimal student learning and effective educational programming. As a member of the Opticianry program faculty, the instructor is also accountable for assisting and supporting the program director and/or department dean, as needed, in meeting the instructional and curricular requirements of the program, department, and division.

• Teaching all courses, as assigned, for the full duration of scheduled instruction; 

• Being fully prepared with instructional plans for each class session and in accord with the stated objectives of the course; 

• Enforcing academic policy and procedures at all times, and complying with all other institutional rules and regulations pertinent to classroom instruction and general employment; 

• Being responsible for equipment maintenance;

• Being available out of class to student requiring additional assistance; requested or needed by individual students; 

• Assisting in the revision and development of course outlines, syllabi, curriculum plans, and other instructional documentation required to meet program objectives; 

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of competency-based education and for utilize available educational resources for the evaluation, improvement of instruction and the development of teaching materials; 

• Assisting the program director in the identification, preview, and acquisition of needed educational resources, including textbook selection, library materials, laboratory supplies, and other instructional provisions; 

• Participate in advising and registration activities each semester. Serve as educational advisor to assigned students as required and as otherwise requested or needed by individual students.

• Become proficient in advising technologies including Colleague, and Student Self Service.

• Participating in program, departmental, divisional, and institutional meetings and other announced activities; 

• Maintaining posted office and on-campus hours sufficient to fulfill all contracted duties and individual professional obligations, as well as to meet the needs of the program, department, division, and College; 

• Assist in the recruitment of students by participation in requirement activities on and off campus;  

• Maintaining complete office and student records, as needed; processing reports, forms, and all other requested paperwork in a timely, efficient manner, checking for the accuracy, correctness, and completeness of all data; 

• Fulfilling committee assignments and other special appointments within the educational community as well as the community-at-large, and otherwise giving appropriate support to institutional endeavors; 

• Taking advantage of in-service training and other opportunities for continued professional development, including attendance at off-campus activities, as feasible, and generally staying abreast of developments in the field of instruction; 

• Maintaining proper communication and supportive relations at all times with all other units and branches of the division and the College, providing assistance to them in carrying out their respective functions;

• Assuming other necessary responsibilities and performing additional tasks as assigned by the program director and/or department dean in meeting the needs of the program, department, division, and the College.

• Assist with Project SIGHT duties as requested by the Program Director or Mobile Optical Services Coordinator.

• Must have a two-year associate degree from a COA-accredited program in Ophthalmic Dispensing.

• Must be certified by the National Contact Lens Examiners.

• Must have a current state license from the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry.

• Must be advanced certified by the American Board of Opticianry or receive ABO-AC within 1 year of hire date.

Work Experience:

• The instructor should also have a minimum of two (2) years' work experience beyond the time spent in the training program in eyewear and contact lens fitting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and effective oral and written communication/public relation skills;

• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills;

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines;

• Ability to think creatively and put ideas into action;

• Ability to make presentations to large audiences;

• Computer skills as evidenced by experience with at least one educational platform (such Blackboard, Sakai, or Canvas) and competence with Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Word.

• Personal integrity, honesty, and the ability to maintain confidentiality; and

• Understanding of the mission, goals, and objectives of a community college.

• Ability to work well in a team environment and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The physical and mental demands described as follows are representative of those that must be met by an employee in performing the essential functions of this job:

• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time;

• Ability to present to groups;

• Ability to lift, at times, at least  10 lbs.; and

• Good eye/hand dexterity.

Normal Working Hours:

A minimum of a 40-hour work week for 9 months as determined by the supervisor to allow the employee to fulfill the assigned duties and responsibilities, including occasional evening and weekend hours. Summer schedules may vary to enable four-day or four and one half-day work weeks (summer contracts are provided only as needed by the program).