ALIC Instructor

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Education Courses as the Subject Matter Expert**.** Deliver engaging, hands-on instruction in assigned technical education courses by combining classroom teaching with laboratory demonstrations and experiential learning activities. 
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and professional learning environment that promotes technical competency, critical thinking, and problem-solving. 
• Demonstrate the proper operation of equipment, tools, software, and industry-standard processes while reinforcing safe work practices and applicable industry standards.
•  Assess student learning through practical exercises, projects, and performance evaluations, and provide timely, constructive feedback to support student success. 
• Maintain accurate attendance and grading records, monitor student progress, and encourage active participation, collaboration, and professionalism throughout the instructional experience.
• Responsible for meeting scheduled classes and holding office hours (30 minutes week per 1-credit course or prorated accordingly) to be available to students/colleagues. 
• Develop and maintain high-quality course syllabi, instructional materials, learning activities, assessments, and assignments that align with established course objectives, program outcomes, industry standards, and institutional expectations. 
• Design engaging, hands-on learning experiences that integrate classroom instruction with laboratory and experiential activities to support the development of technical knowledge, practical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ensure course content remains current by incorporating emerging technologies, industry best practices, applicable certifications, and employer expectations. 
• Develop clear learning objectives, assessment strategies, grading criteria, and instructional resources that promote student success, measure achievement of learning outcomes, and support continuous improvement of course quality and effectiveness. 
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to review, refine, and update curriculum as needed to maintain relevance and alignment with workforce needs. 

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing principles, processes, and technologies.
• Knowledge of one or more technical disciplines, such as CNC machining, CAD/CAM, robotics, additive manufacturing, metrology, industrial automation, PLC programming, quality systems, or industrial maintenance.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and effective instructional methodologies.
• Knowledge of curriculum development and outcomes-based course design.
• Knowledge of competency-based education and workforce credentialing.
• Knowledge of instructional assessment methods and student learning evaluation.
• Knowledge of classroom and laboratory instructional practices.
• Knowledge of industry standards, manufacturing best practices, and employer expectations.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, industrial safety practices, and laboratory safety procedures.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, inspection techniques, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of manufacturing software, machine programming, and digital manufacturing workflows.
• Knowledge of engineering drawings, technical documentation, and manufacturing documentation standards.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas) and instructional technologies.
• Knowledge of digital file organization, version control, and documentation practices.
• Knowledge of emerging manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 concepts.
• Knowledge of project-based and experiential learning methodologies.
• Knowledge of student advising, mentoring, and learner support strategies.
• Knowledge of institutional policies, academic procedures, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Knowledge of effective communication techniques for technical instruction.
• Knowledge of professional workplace expectations within advanced manufacturing environments.

Required Abilities

Ability to Communicate Complex Technical Concepts

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to learners with varying educational backgrounds while translating theoretical principles into practical application. Demonstrate the ability to explain not only how technical processes are performed but why specific methods, tools, materials, and workflows are selected, fostering deeper conceptual understanding and sound technical decision-making.

Ability to Facilitate Student Learning

• Ability to create engaging, student-centred learning environments that promote participation, collaboration, critical thinking, and technical competency. Foster a positive classroom culture that encourages curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement while maintaining high academic and professional expectations.

Ability to Adapt Instruction

• Ability to modify instructional methods, demonstrations, pacing, and learning activities to accommodate diverse learning styles, prior experiences, and individual student needs while maintaining achievement of established learning outcomes.

Ability to Connect Theory with Practice

• Ability to integrate engineering principles, manufacturing theory, and industry best practices into authentic learning experiences that prepare students to apply technical knowledge in real-world manufacturing environments.

Ability to Foster Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Ability to guide students through structured problem-solving processes by encouraging analytical thinking, troubleshooting, process optimization, and evaluation of alternative technical solutions based on engineering, quality, safety, and operational considerations.

Ability to Maintain Safe and Professional Learning Environments

• Ability to establish, model, and enforce safe work practices while maintaining clean, organized, and professional classroom and laboratory environments that reflect modern manufacturing standards and cultivate a strong culture of safety.

Ability to Maintain Exceptional Organization

• Ability to organize and manage instructional materials, digital resources, CAD/CAM files, machine programs, student records, and laboratory documentation with exceptional attention to detail and consistency, ensuring instructional continuity and adherence to professional manufacturing practices.

Ability to Assess and Support Student Achievement

• Ability to evaluate student performance through practical demonstrations, laboratory activities, projects, competency assessments, and written evaluations while providing timely, constructive feedback that promotes continuous improvement and successful attainment of learning outcomes.

Ability to Learn and Integrate Emerging Technologies

• Ability to rapidly learn, evaluate, and incorporate new technologies, software platforms, equipment, manufacturing processes, and instructional methodologies into classroom and laboratory instruction to ensure continued relevance with evolving industry needs.

Ability to Troubleshoot Technical Problems

• Ability to diagnose and resolve issues involving manufacturing equipment, software, production processes, and student projects while modeling systematic troubleshooting techniques and sound engineering judgment.

Ability to Build Student Confidence and Professional Readiness

• Ability to coach, mentor, and motivate students while fostering confidence, independence, professionalism, teamwork, effective communication, ethical decision-making, and accountability consistent with expectations in advanced manufacturing workplaces.

Ability to Collaborate Effectively

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, industry partners, and employers to enhance instructional quality, maintain workforce relevance, and support continuous improvement of technical education programs.

Ability to Manage Multiple Priorities

• Ability to effectively balance instructional preparation, laboratory management, student support, assessment responsibilities, equipment oversight, and administrative requirements in a dynamic educational environment while maintaining instructional quality and attention to detail.

Ability to Inspire Lifelong Learning

• Ability to encourage intellectual curiosity, adaptability, innovation, and continuous professional development by helping students recognize the importance of lifelong learning in an increasingly technology-driven manufacturing environment.

Required Skills

• Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to modify instructional approaches, pacing, and teaching methods to meet the diverse learning needs, technical backgrounds, and experience levels of students while maintaining rigorous academic and industry standards. 
• Exhibit exceptional attention to detail through the consistent organization, documentation, and management of digital files, instructional materials, machine programs, project documentation, and other course resources in accordance with established institutional and industry best practices. 
• Possess a strong systems-level understanding of manufacturing processes and technologies, enabling the ability to explain not only how tasks are performed, but why specific tools, materials, methods, workflows, and quality practices are selected, including the underlying engineering, manufacturing, safety, and economic principles that inform technical decision-making. 
• Foster critical thinking by encouraging students to understand process optimization, evaluate alternative approaches, troubleshoot technical challenges, and apply foundational concepts to new and evolving manufacturing environments. 

Experience and Qualifications

• 1-3 years experience required. 4-7 years preferred.
• Associates or vocational/technical school degree preferred.

Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s most historic and innovative four-year colleges with the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas.  This multidisciplinary learning celebrates students’ unusual combinations of interests and provides creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing them for a successful launch after graduation and even for careers that may not yet exist.  Located in western Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives” and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate research and creative activities.

Allegheny’s undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students’ intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny’s faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).

Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Allegheny does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, or national origin.

Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Director of Human Resources.

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