Academic Professional Track (Non-Tenure): Instructional Assistant Professor or Lecturer in Scuba Diving

Maritime Studies

Location

Open Date

Position ID

Description

The Maritime Studies Department (MAST) in the College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies at Texas A&M University located on the Galveston Campus invites applications for one full-time, non-tenure track position with a 9-month academic appointment beginning Fall 2027. Applicants will be considered for the faculty title of Instructional Assistant Professor or Lecturer dependent upon background, qualifications, and experience.

The successful candidate will be expected to support the following:

Dive Program Instruction

• Teach 5-7 credit hours in the Dive Program, which includes Instructor of Record (IOR) duties for DIVE 250 (Openwater Diver and Nitrox Diver) and assist other Dive faculty with additional courses; 
• Maintain teaching and diving standards in compliance with the Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) Diving Safety Manual and Certification Agency Standards and Procedures;
• Promote, plan, organize and supervise 1-to-3-day field trips for open water certification dives with 12-36 dive students with the assistance of additional Dive Instructors and Divemasters as needed to meet certification agency ratios;
• Provide additional instructor support on non-IOR or co-taught open water dive field trips (3-5 weekends per semester total) and labs; 
• Provide onsite prevention and resolution of problems at dive sites;
• Effectively communicate and engage with college aged students (17y-23y typically) in both formal and informal learning environments; and
• Oversee and deliver Continuing Ed courses and faculty/staff Scuba class as needed as a service to the university.

Dive Locker Support

• Assist with equipment service as needed throughout the academic year.

Student and Research Support

• Act as Dive Club Faculty Advisor;
• Conduct checkout dives;
• Conduct makeup dives; and
• Support and conduct research diving, as needed.

Administrative

• Complete and maintain compliance paperwork for classes (student records, medical forms, waivers, etc) and required employee safety and TAMU system training; 
• Maintain active status on all “Required Licenses and Certifications”; and
• Compose and maintain course syllabi and learning management system documents in accordance with University guidelines.

Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to stand, bend, squat, stoop, reach, climb, lift and/or carry objects up to 70 lbs;
• Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information in English;
• Ability to work with little supervision;
• Must be able to follow directions, learn from others and make appropriate decisions;
• Must be dependable and stable under pressure;
• Must have good written and oral communication skills; and
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Academic Professional Track (APT) faculty are valued members of the professorial community at the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies. APT faculty work under nine-month contracts, with the expectation of renewal dependent upon effective undergraduate and/or graduate teaching and service to the College, University, and/or professional community. APT contracts offer multi-year appointments after promotion, and a promotion ladder is available for those who choose teaching as their career.

The Department of Maritime Studies offers a Minor in Diving Technology and Methods, providing a pathway for students to advance from a non-diver to a Dive Professional over the duration of their coursework. Enrollment in the dive minor ranges from 80-100 active students per semester. The TAMUG Dive Program offers foundational training (openwater, advanced and rescue certifications), professional certifications (Divemaster and Instructor), occupational courses (AAUS Scientific Diver, equipment service technician, full facemask, drysuit and underwater photography) and technical level courses (Cavern, Decompression diving). Graduates of the program have gone on to run dive programs at other institutions, work in field research for NOAA, state natural resource agencies, and at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Lab. For more information about the Minor in Diving Technology and Methods, refer to the website at marine.tamu.edu/academics/maritime-studies

Texas A&M University at Galveston is the dedicated marine and maritime branch campus of Texas A&M University. The campus houses several institutions that are critical contributors to Texas A&M’s land-, sea-, and space-grant mission and drive the development of the blue economy on the Gulf Coast through education, innovation, scholarship and research.

Home to the Texas A&M College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies (marine.tamu.edu), students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in marine sciences, business, blue humanities, marine engineering and maritime transportation. Students may also pursue select Galveston-specific Texas A&M College of Engineering degrees, including computer science, ocean engineering and interdisciplinary engineering.

Texas A&M-Galveston is also home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the U.S. and the only one embedded within a Tier I research institution. Offering hands-on training to over 400 cadets annually, the academy prepares students to earn a U.S. Coast Guard License and serve as maritime professionals, afloat and ashore, or enter military service upon graduation.

Ideally situated in Galveston Bay, the island campus is surrounded by marine life, estuarine and ocean ecosystems, and one of the largest maritime industrial hubs in the world, allowing Galveston Aggies to live, learn and work in the heart of the industries they will soon serve. Whether their careers take them shoreside or on the water, Aggies are ready for anything above, on and below the waves.

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff, which is vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Instructional Assistant Professor: 

• A master’s degree and
• Scuba Instructor rating from an internationally recognized training agency.
• Evidence of a minimum of 500 hours of scuba teaching experience. Hours can be estimated by recommended training time for each certification course, as outlined in the training agency’s standards.
• 300 logged dives, with at least 20 in each of three varied environments, including poor visibility.
• Current First Aid/CPR/O2 provider certifications.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Must be physically fit for diving, able to obtain medical statement signed by physician.

Lecturer:

• A bachelor’s degree and
• Scuba Instructor rating from an internationally recognized training agency.
• Evidence of a minimum of 500 hours of scuba teaching experience. Hours can be estimated by recommended training time for each certification course, as outlined in the training agency’s standards. 
• 300 logged dives, with at least 20 in each of three varied environments, including poor visibility.
• Current First Aid/CPR/O2 provider certifications.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Must be physically fit for diving, able to obtain medical statement signed by physician.

Preferred Qualifications:

• SDI Scuba Instructor rating.
• AAUS Scientific Diver and/or Instructor rating.
• Experience in diving with institutional/occupational organizations (ie universities, aquariums, State or Federal agencies).
• DAN Diving First Aid Instructor.
• Experience with equipment service including regulator service, tank inspections, general equipment maintenance.
• Certified Swim Instructor.
• Experience with Canvas Learning Management System.

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted only online: apply.interfolio.com/196363.

Applications must include electronic PDF copies of: 1) cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a personal statement to include instructional philosophy and plans for teaching and program/university service goals, 4) Copies of current professional and occupational level diving certifications, and 5) names and contact information for three professional references.

Questions or inquiries about the position should be directed to Chris Ledford, chair of the search committee at [email protected]. Review of applications will begin January 2027, and the position will remain open until filled.