Location: Bowling Green, KY Category: Faculty Posted On: Mon Sep 22 2025 Job Description: The Department of Agriculture & Food Science is an academic unit within Ogden College of Science and Engineering and has a long, rich tradition being in existence for over 100 years. Boasting engaged faculty, driven students, and connected alumni, the department focuses on providing experiential learning opportunities and engages in applied research. The Agriculture Research & Education Center (AREC) is an 814-acre farm located just a few miles south of campus operated by the department and host to many of the hands-on learning experiences afforded to students. Called the farm by students and alumni alike, it has many different agricultural enterprises including an agriculture exposition center, corn, soybeans, vegetables, ornamentals, dairy, beef cattle, and horses. The department has numerous industry partnerships such as the Holstein Association and Claas Farmpoint that help engage students with new agricultural related technologies. On-campus facilities include a soil instructional lab, agriculture mechanics instructional lab, meats instructional lab, and two research laboratories. There is also an affiliation with an USDA-ARS Unit. The department instructs around 300 majors and has both undergraduate and graduate programs with 15 faculty and 8 staff members. Job Description: Western Kentucky University is seeking applicants for an instructor of Agriculture Education & Technology. This position is non-tenure track, 9-month appointment with opportunities for promotion. Responsibilities will focus on teaching with the remaining workload comprising of service to the department, college, university, and community. The instructor can engage in research if desired, but there will be no formal research assignment. Responsibilities of the instructor position include: In this role, the instructor will: + Teach agricultural/technology education courses, introductory agricultural systems courses, precision agriculture, and other topics as assigned. Experience teaching agriculture at the secondary or higher level will allow candidates to thrive in the classroom and better connect with students transitioning into college-level coursework. + Teach traditional and online undergraduate and graduate courses. Prior online teaching experience will help candidates deliver engaging and flexible learning opportunities and provide input and guidance for possible new online programs. + Supervise agricultural education teaching candidates, academically advise undergraduates, and serve as a student club advisor. Experience mentoring student teachers or advising organizations such as FFA or 4-H will strengthen the candidate's ability to mentor future educators and leaders. + Maintain, purchase, and prepare equipment for use in laboratories, and develop courses that incorporate relevant lab technologies. Familiarity with emerging agricultural technologies (e.g., GPS, drones, yield mapping) will help candidates enrich labs with real-world applications. + Participate in local, regional, and state agriculture education activities, industry outreach, and professional organizations to strengthen WKU's connection to the broader agricultural community. + Assist in recruiting and retaining students while contributing to departmental, college, and university committees. Candidates with experience recruiting, advising, and mentoring students will be especially effective in supporting student growth and retention. Job Requirements: + M.S., Ed.D., or Ph.D. in agriculture or closely related field. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Additional Information: Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment. Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices. Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website. Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php For information related to job postings, please email employment@wku.edu.