Faculty: Criminal Justice / Police Science Instructor (9-mo)
Vacancy Notice:Monday, February 23, 2026
Application Deadline:Sunday, March 29, 2026 by 11:59 PM CST
Position Type:Faculty
Hours:Full Time / 9 month
Reports To:Dean, School of Liberal Arts
Job Summary
Bring your real-world experience to the classroom and inspire tomorrow's criminal justice workforce. At Hawkeye Community College, teaching criminal justice isn't just a job, it's a chance to change lives. Hawkeye Community College is seeking a full-time, 9-month faculty member to provide high-quality instruction at the college's main campus in theCriminal Justice Liberal Arts transfer and Police Science programs.
At Hawkeye Community College, we understand that great instructors make all the difference. We believe students learn best from those who have real-world experience and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to excel in the field. Employers today seek versatile, skilled individuals who can adapt to the evolving demands of the workforce. Our programs are designed to help students build a solid foundation of technical skills and professional competencies needed for success in a dynamic industry. With the guidance of experienced faculty who bring both academic expertise and industry insights, students are well-prepared to meet and exceed these expectations.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable educator who brings both passion for teaching and a strong foundation in Criminal Justice to our Police Science and Criminal Justice Liberal Arts transfer programs. While a range of courses and modalities (face-to-face, distance learning) may be assigned, potential areas of teaching will be Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Police Operations, or Introduction to Corrections. A typical full-time teaching load is 15 credit hours per semester (Fall and Spring), with additional opportunities to teach during the summer if desired.
Our role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by delivering dynamic instruction. We are interested in finding a knowledgeable, positive professional role model to inspire our students and work with a strong faculty team. The college provides a two-year faculty induction & mentoring program to support our newest faculty members to assist them with success.
Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a wide array of students through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye Community College's mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
Essential Job Functions
Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provides hands-on training or simulations (e.g., mock crime scenes, report writing, patrol procedures).
Stays current with best practices in law enforcement and integrate them into the classroom.
Prepares daily instructional plans and materials.
Uses various instructional modalities as needed.
Employs various instructional methods and materials that are appropriate for meeting stated objectives, assessing accomplishments of students on a regular basis, and providing progress reports as requested and required.
Formulates and maintains curriculum for assigned courses within the College's Learning Management System.
Assists with student recruitment, retention and mentoring.
Provides high-quality instruction, and leadership to students including advising.
Provides lecture and lead discussion in subjects such as criminal law, criminal procedure, criminology, police operations, ethics, and corrections.
Aligns course content with local and state law enforcement requirements, and ensures relevance to current practices.
Integrates career-readiness skills into the curriculum (e.g., report writing, testifying in court, conflict resolution).
Supports students in internships, ride-alongs, and/or field experience programs.
Maintains professional relationships with local police departments, sheriff's offices, and public safety agencies.
Coordinates guest speakers, field trips, or service-learning opportunities.
Participates in college committees and related responsibilities as required by Iowa Code and the Quality Faculty Plan
Participates in departmental, committee and professional development activities.
Maintains cooperative relationships with the Dean, supervisors, other faculty, the program's Advisory Committee, all divisions of the College, prospective employers, and the community.
Interacts with students, faculty, and staff, occurring in person, via telephone, email, and other digital communication platforms on a regular basis.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Unless otherwise approved, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Justice Administration or a related area of study.
Three years (6000 hours) of recent and relevant work experience as a law enforcement officer.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new and current technical skills and ideas.
Demonstrated strong organizational skills and being detail-oriented.
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills to positively interact with students, faculty, and staff.
Demonstrated ability to provide excellent student support, maintain student confidence and protect operational integrity.
Demonstrated proficiency in using instructional technologies and teaching in multiple modalities.
Demonstrated skills in standard industry technology, such as Google applications (e.g., Gmail, Google documents), Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas), etc.
Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of students, faculty, staff, students, and the general public in a professional and personable manner.
Preferred Qualifications
Post secondary teaching experience.
PhD in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
Formal teacher training, classroom, and laboratory instruction.
Knowledge of instruction in educational theory and techniques.
Certification in instructing law enforcement officers in areas such as firearms and/or defensive tactics, field sobriety, chemical munitions, or precision driving.
Knowledge of Iowa criminal law, traffic law, and the Iowa law enforcement hiring process.
Working Conditions
Instructors are expected to teach approximately five days per week (usually Monday-Friday), with assignments that may include day, evening, or weekend courses delivered in face-to-face, online, or hybrid formats.
Work is performed either in or a combination of an office and/or classroom setting using technology. Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During the course of the day, interact with students, faculty, and staff in person, by telephone and computers.
Employment Status
Full time, 9-month contractual position beginning in Fall 2026 with a comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick leave; tuition reimbursement/tuition remission; and a choice of retirement programs-IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).
Beginning salaries are determined by education and experience based on the Hawkeye Professional Educators' Association Master Agreement.
The 2026/2027 Academic Year faculty pay structure consists of 20 steps with Step 1 as $52,017 through Step 20 as $68,754.
Application Procedure
Complete an online application at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
A summary of your education and work and/or teaching experience (professional or voluntary) including your teaching philosophy.
Share what led you to Criminal Justice as a discipline (include any specializations or certifications you possess) and what interests you about this position.
Your interest in supporting the education provided by a community college.
Submit/upload a resume.
Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.
Application deadline:Sunday, March 29, 2026
Priority screening begins:Monday, March 30, 2026
Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college.
Official transcripts will be required if hired.
All application materials must be submitted by Sunday, March 29, 2026 by 11:59 PM CST.
Apply Online
Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices. It is the policy of Hawkeye Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Equity and Title IX Coordinator, Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015,319-296-4405 (tel:3192964405) , emailequity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.eduor the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone:303-844-5695 (tel:3038445695) FAX: 303-844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339, emailOCR.Denver@ed.gov.3.
If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.
