Assistant Instructor-Non-Tenure Track Crisis & Disaster Management in Warrensburg, Missouri at University of Central Missouri

Description

The Crisis and Disaster Management (CDM) Program at the University of Central Missouri invites applications to join our faculty, starting in January 2027. Applicants holding a masters degree in Crisis and Disaster Management, Emergency Management, or a related field will be appointed as a non-tenure-track instructor. Candidates with demonstrated skills and experience in teaching crisis and disaster management, business continuity, emergency management, emergency services, and similar classes will be considered.

Description of the College and Program: The Crisis and Disaster Management Program is housed in the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. The program currently has 12 adjunct faculty positions with approximately 70 undergraduate majors. The program courses are presented 100% online, with most students residing off campus, except for newly admitted freshmen.

Description of the University: The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public regional comprehensive institution with one of the oldest and most respected Crisis and Disaster Management programs in the nation.

Description of the Town/Location: Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, the campus is conveniently about 40 minutes from the suburban Kansas City area. Warrensburg is home to approximately 20,000 residents.

The successful candidate will teach crisis and disaster management courses and serve as the Program Coordinator working with on campus students, developing curriculum, scheduling of adjuncts and classes, fostering disciplinary contacts, recruiting students, and assessing course results, among other responsibilities. Faculty within the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies at the University of Central Missouri support the universitys mission of providing student-centered, high-quality education and are committed to student success. This includes high-quality teaching, career advising, collegiality, and communication. Additionally, faculty members provide service to their program, department, and university, and engage in professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage with, and respond to the needs of students, colleagues, the department, college, and institution.

Examples of Duties

Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is to deliver high-quality instruction in their respective content areas, regardless of the format of delivery.This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to students' success and to the ongoing assessment of the curriculum and student learning.

Keep current in your discipline, including maintaining professional certifications relevant to the field.
Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high-impact practices.
Assist department chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.
Comply with departmental,college,and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.
Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.
Be available to meet students outside the classroom by scheduling office hours in both physical and electronic formats, including in-person and virtual office hours, before or after classes.
Assist with department and college assessments and be proactive in making curriculum modifications based on assessment feedback.

Professional Development- The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area, which may include:
Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.
Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.

Service- A faculty member's expectation is to serve the department, college, and university community. Examples include:
Attending department/college/university meetings
Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.
Assisting with student recruitment.
Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.

Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels.
Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college, and the university.
Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• A minimum of a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Crisis and Disaster Management, Emergency Management, or a closely related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of professional experience is required.
• Effective communication in both spoken and written English is required.
• Resume/Vita should support the candidates ability to teach courses in an online environment (i.e., Brightspace) in the areas of crisis and disaster management, business continuity, emergency management, emergency services, and other related courses required.
• Prior teaching experience at the college or university level, advising students, and working with student groups preferred.
• Experience teaching online required.

Supplemental Information

Reviews of applications will begin on October 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We accept applications from qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, or abilities. minorities, women, the disabled, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants should submit:

1. A letter of application
2. A resume/vita
3. Names and contact information, including e-mail of three (3) professional references on the faculty profile
4. Unofficial copies of transcripts showing completed degrees. Official transcripts and three letters of reference will be requested prior to finalizing the appointment.

The University of Central Missouri requires that all faculty applicants complete the online faculty profile at schooljobs.com/careers/ucmo.
Search Committee Chair contact information:
Dr. Joanne Kurt-Hilditch, Chair Crisis and Disaster Management Program
Humphreys 222 Warrensburg, MO 64093
Email address: kurt-hilditch@ucmo.edu
Telephone: 660-543-4213
Please note that the University of Central Missouri does not provide immigration sponsorship or support (e.g., H-1B, F-1 OPT, TN visa sponsorship) for employees in this role. All applicants must possess valid US work authorization at the time of hire.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes atUCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes atUCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

CompletedUCMonline application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our faculty and staff are the universitys most valuable asset, and our goal is to provide a robust Total Rewards Program designed to help them maintain a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

Highlights from UCM's total rewards package for full-time employees include:

• 32% (staff) and 6% (faculty) defined retirement contribution, paid by the university;

• Voluntary Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) programs (403(b) and 457(b)) that allow eligible employees to make additional pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan;

• Employees can earn up to full tuition (15 credit hours) for themselves per academic year. Full-time employees are also eligible for up to $175 towards non-credit courses each fiscal year. Employees can earn up to full tuition for their dependents;

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans that begin on the first of the month following your date of hire. Basic dental and vision insurance paid at 100% by the university;

• Available Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts;

• University-paid basic life insurance (including accidental death and dismemberment) and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage;

• Generous leave accruals that begin accruing on your start date, plus 14 paid holidays per year.

• The UCM Childcare Center on the Warrensburg campus can provide faculty, staff, and students quality care for their children ages six weeks to 10 years.

• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is free for all employees and is located on the Warrensburg campus.

• An Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees and their immediate family members to help assist with personal challenges you may face in your daily life;

• UCM offers an Employee Discount Program through Working Advantage.

To learn more about the wonderful benefits available as a University of Central Missouri employee, visit our benefits page !