Associate Instructor Gemology On-Campus

The Company: GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA is a global organization with headquarters located in Carlsbad, CA. 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 the heart of the diamond district in mid-town Manhattan, New York. This is an onsite role.

The Culture: We foster an environment of autonomy, performance, and passion. Our team members collaborate extensively across various departments, providing high-quality service to internal staff, stakeholders, and the organization as a whole. We value initiative, cross-functional cooperation, and a commitment to excellence in all our endeavors. 

What to expect: 

• We offer competitive medical, dental, vision and matching 401-K plans (no vesting required) 
• Paid vacation, sick and holidays, tuition assistance, commuter benefits

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.
• Oversee 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.
• Teach 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 workstation, 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.)
• Manage 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.
• Use 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.
• 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)

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.

• 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. 
• Personal accountability: continually improves performance; continuously develops self-awareness, takes personal accountability for decisions, actions & outcomes
• Interpersonal skills: ability to create positive interactions with students; actively communicate with co-workers, students or with management in a timely & professional manner; maintains collaborative working relationships with others and peers to improve student performance
• Time management / organizational skills: Manages time and priorities appropriately - approaches work in an organized and systematic manner.  Able to monitor student progress (strengths / weaknesses) to effectively organize classroom to meet student needs
• Strong PC computer skills. Well-prepared and adept in using the school’s AV equipment for presentations, testing devices, MS Office, email and Learning Management System, etc.
• 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 resolve conflict. Teamwork: Interface well with others (other departments like facilities, security, 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 be 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

• Required: High School diploma (or GED), and Graduate Gemologist diploma. 
• Minimum 3 years of trade experience required.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in related field highly desirable,
• 2+ years of teaching, mentoring or training experience; experience with a Learning Management System (LMS) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT (if applicable)

• Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.
• Extensive use of office equipment to include computer, printer, copier, scanner and other business-related machines and software.
• 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 refractometers, polariscope, dichroscopes, etc., may also be required.

Pay Offered: $82,500 annually

An Equal Opportunity Employer
All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.