Summary
This position is responsible for leading the Foundation of Wine courses and supporting the broader Beverage Management program by delivering high-impact sensory education centered on technical evaluation and the analysis of aroma, flavor profiles, and mouthfeel. The curriculum emphasizes fermentation excellence and historical styles, bridging the gap between chemical production processes and the final sensory experience through rigorous tasting labs and lectures on regional and global winemaking traditions. Beyond delivering coursework, this role manages laboratory environments to ensure rigorous safety standards, utilizes diverse teaching strategies to engage a broad student population, and maintains academic records in strict compliance with FERPA. As a professional representative of the College, the position provides timely performance feedback across multiple delivery formats, including in-person, evening, weekend, and online instruction. This position will start developing the course curriculum with the program director between the dates of June 1 and August 24. Teaching will start the week of August 24.
Qualifications
Required:
Preferred:
Curriculum & Sensory Instruction: Develop and teach "Foundation of Wine" coursework, covering wine styles, sensory analysis, and the identification of brewing faults. Lead structured tastings that guide students through rigorous organoleptic evaluation.
Operational Management: Manage the practical "lab" environment, including inventory procurement through market orders, proper glassware maintenance, and the physical transportation of inventory (up to 50 lbs) from locked storage to the practical lab. Ability to stand for extended periods and perform the physical labor required for classroom and lab setups, teaching, and inventory management.
Pairing Expertise: Instruct students on the scientific and aesthetic principles of wine and food pairing within a professional hospitality context.
Assessment & Feedback: Evaluate student performance through blind tastings, written examinations, and practical skill assessments.
Safety, Compliance & Responsibility
Compliance & Legal Oversight: Enforce a strict "taste-but-don't-consume" policy, ensuring alcohol is evaluated for its profile rather than imbibed. While students aged 18+ in authorized programs may participate in sensory evaluation, all sessions must be instructor-supervised and conducted as part of a scheduled course. Maintain rigorous adherence to legal age requirements and keep all state-issued alcohol server permits (e.g., TIPS) current. Perform inventory transportation to and from locked storage and lab settings.
Professional Conduct: Maintain a high standard of professional boundaries, adhering to institutional policies regarding alcohol consumption while on duty.
Safety and Sanitation: Ensure proper sanitation by preventing time/temperature violations and cross-contamination, and demonstrate risk management practices.
Visit our website to see the NMC Adjunct Resource Guide for further details.
Teaching Responsibilities
When teaching any courses, including but not limited to online, accelerated, livestream, hybrid, and face-to-face formats, the adjunct instructor will meet the responsibilities of adjunct faculty in the areas of Curriculum, Teaching Effectiveness, and Professional Qualities and Abilities. Adjunct faculty are encouraged to participate in Professional Development and in areas that support College and Community Initiatives.
Teaching Effectiveness
Compiles, administers, and grades examinations and other learning activities
Uses current and emerging technologies in distance learning and in the classroom; conducts classroom research with classroom assessment techniques
Listens to students and coaches them to actively participate in the learning process
Uses a variety of assessments to promote student demonstration of learning through exams, discussions, debates, presentations, simulations, and/or debriefings
Provides a course syllabus to the students that includes the College Syllabus information outlined in Canvas
Maintains and regularly updates Canvas gradebook and/or other electronic grading systems
Faculty Professional Development
Continually engages in learning and scholarship in the area of specialization as time allows
Support of College, Community Initiatives
Meets requirements for the adjunct review process
Is fully committed to the mission and values of Northwestern Michigan College
Responsible for planning, preparing, and presenting food in regular food labs.
Responsible for maintaining general Health Department requirements for the kitchen and all equipment.
Serve as a role model for students considering a career in some aspect of the culinary field.
Evaluate students’ performance in various food labs.
Recommend to the Great Lakes Culinary Institute Director any changes or corrections in the program.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.
Adjunct Faculty General Responsibilities
Attend and comply with all HR required Faculty member training
Report grades by college deadlines
Keep accurate student academic records
Meet classes during the time scheduled and for the appropriate length of time
Make reasonable accommodations as approved by Disability Support Services to meet students' needs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA)
Follow College policy on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Respond to requests including, but not limited to Academic Chairs, Department Heads, committee chairs, and the Records Office in a timely and thorough manner
Meet requirements of the Adjunct Performance Review Processs in a timely manner and with the intention of maintaining teaching effectiveness, professional development, and support of College/ community initiatives
Assess student learning outcomes and make improvements based on the assessment results
Develop and distribute course syllabi for each course taught to each student that follows the approved course syllabus criteria template
Develop and maintain course outlines that are reviewed and approved annually by the faculty supervisor or her/his designee.
Timely completion of all Teaching Observations (see earlier explanations of requirements). A-1st year only)
Provide class time for the college's student feedback forms via Evaluation Kit or similar software forms if necessary to meet the college’s student response rate standard
Adjunct Faculty are encouraged to:
Attend Commencement
Attend Opening Conferences and other NMC employee meetings
Attend the three NMC Professional Development Days per academic year
Participate in activities designed to promote attainment of the College vision and its mission
Non-Teaching Responsibilities
Complete college reporting requirements that are due after the conclusion of the instructional period
Develop curriculum for their courses in preparation for the coming academic year
Make a reasonable effort to participate in college and committee meetings
Monitor and respond to college communications promptly
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Skills ;
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Physical Demands
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste and/or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This position is hired through a third party staffing agency, EduStaff. If selected, you will be required to complete the onboarding requirements of EduStaff as part of NMC's onboarding process.