Adjunct-Emergency Management (Subject Matter Experts)

About the position Alvernia University is seeking qualified professionals and educators to serve as Subject Matter Experts and Adjunct Faculty supporting its developing Emergency Management academic programs. Selected candidates may contribute to course and curriculum development, online instruction, or both. They will help develop and deliver innovative, career-relevant coursework that prepares students to address emergency preparedness, disaster response, community resilience, public safety, and emergency management leadership challenges. Course development work includes collaborating with academic leadership and instructional designers to create engaging online courses; developing objectives, instructional materials, assignments, assessments, and applied learning activities aligned with program outcomes; and integrating current industry standards, emerging technologies, professional practices, and real-world case studies. Course content should reflect contemporary emergency management challenges and workforce expectations. Adjunct teaching work involves delivering rigorous online instruction; facilitating learning through discussion, applied projects, case studies, and practical exercises; assessing student performance and providing timely, constructive feedback; supporting student success while maintaining academic and professional standards; and collaborating with program leadership on curriculum relevance and continuous improvement. Alvernia University is a Franciscan institution committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership, service, and preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to their professions and communities. It is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants with diverse professional and educational experiences.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academic leadership and instructional design professionals to develop engaging, high-quality online courses.
• Develop course objectives, instructional materials, assignments, assessments, and applied learning activities aligned with program outcomes.
• Integrate current industry standards, emerging technologies, professional practices, and real-world case studies into course content.
• Ensure course content reflects contemporary emergency management challenges and workforce expectations.
• Deliver engaging and academically rigorous instruction in an online learning environment.
• Facilitate student learning through discussion, applied projects, case studies, and practical exercises.
• Assess student performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Support student success while maintaining high academic and professional standards.
• Collaborate with program leadership to ensure curriculum relevance and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution in Emergency Management, Public Health, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Disaster Science, Geographic Information Systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated professional or academic expertise in at least one of the identified subject areas.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex disciplinary concepts into meaningful and accessible learning experiences.
• Commitment to academic excellence, student success, and Alvernia University's Franciscan values.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level, particularly in online or asynchronous environments.
• Experience developing online courses or academic curricula.
• Professional experience with emergency management agencies, public health organizations, government entities, healthcare systems, or related industries.
• Relevant certifications or specialized training, including FEMA, Incident Command System (ICS), GIS, or other emergency management credentials.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines and applying emerging technologies to emergency management practice.