Associate Instructor

The Company:  GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. A part of a global organization, this campus accommodates approximately 400 of the 3,500 employees that GIA employs worldwide. It offers many competitive health and commuter benefits that promote the well-being of its employees, as well as that of the environment.

The Location: This position is located in Carlsbad, CA reporting fully on-site Monday to Friday.

Job Overview:

Provides in-person instruction for assigned classes, courses, or introductory seminars and guides student outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment within the defined scope of responsibilities.

• Oversees the instruction of accredited and state-licensed vocational courses and programs and provide a comprehensive education to students seeking careers in the gem and jewelry industry.

• Teaches assigned classes, courses or introductory seminars. Manages delivery of content, ensuring academic delivery adheres to established guidelines.

• Manages class set-up and maintain cleanliness of work station, student desks and instruments (e.g., gathering of materials, managing equipment / materials appropriately, etc.).

• Ensures administrative class management responsibilities are completed in a timely manner (e.g., attendance, assessments, posting grades, documentation, etc.)

• Manages student evaluations (homework reviews, proctor exams, grade papers, assignments or projects, initiate conversations with students about grades, academic notice, counseling, tracks students and pinpoints student learning, etc.) and student engagement.

• Used active listening with student questions and comments. Responds to student questions. Prepared for questions beyond immediate scope of the lecture. Sincere and friendly; projected enthusiasm while teaching and answering questions.

• May participate in student orientation and/or graduation activities, as needed

• May support other functional areas, as needed

• May be required to travel and teach in other locations or work various shifts, as needed

• Stays current with industry trends (follows industry publications, etc.)

• Professional Development: Meets annual professional development requirements as defined by management.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Knowledge: sound industry knowledge with a general understanding of regulatory requirements

• Language skills: ability to read, comprehend and follow standard procedures or instruction (proficiency in reading, writing and speaking in English required)

• Communication skills: ability to communicate complex info in a simplified and clear manner; can communicate effectively with students on achievement or lack of achievement of goals, able to develop and modify communication strategies to deliver difficult messages to students. 

• Interpersonal skills: ability to create positive interactions with students; actively communicates with co-workers, students or with management in a timely & professional manner; maintains collaborative working relationship with others and peers to improve student performance

• Personal accountability: continually improves performance; continuously develops self-awareness, takes personal accountability for decisions, actions & outcomes

• Time management / organizational skills: Manages time and priorities appropriately - approaches work in an organized and systematic manner.  Able to monitor student progress (strengths / weaknesses) in an effort to effectively organize classroom to meet student needs

• Strong computer skills. Well-prepared and adept in using the school’s AV equipment for presentations, testing devices, Learning Management System, etc.

• (MS Office, email, etc., preferred)

• Flexibility: able to adapt to change, able to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail.  Able to adapt learning styles to meet student needs. Able to travel and/or work alternative shifts as needed.

• Conflict resolution: able to settle differences in productive ways while minimizing disruptions. Ability to communicate and enforce policies in the classroom (willingness to confront issues). Maintain a positive learning environment and effectively resolved conflict

• Teamwork: Interface well with others (other departments like facilities, admissions, education technology, etc.), uses active listening, knows who to go to and how to communicate issues/needs.

• Maintains & fosters sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity in and out of the classroom

• Decision quality and problem solving: identify potential problems, articulate / classify issues and able to determine next steps; apply sound analytical and reasoning skills during the problem-solving process; analyze the data gathered and reach a solution or provide a summary for a management decision when required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma and 3+ years of trade experience (required in the US, preferred elsewhere), or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s degree in related field highly desirable

• Must be able to travel up to 10%

• The following is required: GG 2+ years of teaching, mentoring or training experience; experience with a Learning Management System (LMS)

• AJP required for all instructors (gemology & JMA); expected to acquire within 1 year of hire

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT (if applicable)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.

• Extensive use of office equipment to include computer, calculator, copier, fax, and other business-related machines and software.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• In order to perform this job, the employee must grasp, grip and/or turn small objects (gems) with tweezers or a stone holder, and concurrently view and analyze the object using a microscope. Must periodically adjust the microscope. Requires fine hand manipulation and eye-to-hand coordination. The use of other gemological instruments, such as, refractometer, polariscope, dichroscope, etc., may also be required.

Annual Pay: $75,100