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Position Information

Position Title Animal Management Instructor

Position Category Faculty

Position Status 10 Month

FLSA Exempt

Advertised Salary $55,398

Department Animal Management

Working Hours Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm

General Description

Are you enthusiastic about animal welfare, husbandry, and the power of experiential education? SUNY Niagara is seeking an innovative, student-focused Animal Management Instructor to shape the future of aspiring animal care and science professionals. This is a full-time, ten-month, Tenure-track position within our Business & STEM division.

Why You’ll Love This Role

+ Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders: Prepare students for success in zoo keeping, animal control, and animal science programs through a curriculum strongly focused on internships and hands-on career preparation.

+ Engage and Inspire: Bring complex concepts to life through creative teaching methods and interactive labs that build the foundational skills students need for their field placements.

+ Collaborate and Grow: Join a committed team of educators dedicated to academic excellence and student achievement.

+ Balanced Workload: Teach 18 contact hours of lab and/or lecture per semester (or 15 credits of lecture only) while participating in advising, curriculum development, and college-wide initiatives.

What You’ll Do

+ Deliver engaging lecture and lab instruction in undergraduate animal management and biology.

+ Facilitate and oversee student internships and field experiences, ensuring students gain critical hands-on industry experience with live animals.

+ Foster a supportive, inclusive learning environment for a diverse student population.

+ Advise and mentor students, guiding them toward academic and career success in the animal care industry.

+ Contribute to curriculum design, recruitment, and college activities that strengthen our programs.

+ Provide leadership, engagement, and discipline expertise to elevate the learning experience.

The start date of this position will be August 27th, for the beginning of the Fall 2026 semester. The successful candidate will be required to work 162 days per academic year (August – May), and will be provided with a winter break from mid-December to early January, a Spring Break for one week in mid-March, and will work until the Spring semester ends in Mid-May. Faculty are not required to work in June, July, and most of August, but opportunities for teaching Summer classes exist.

In addition to the base salary, there is the potential for overload and other assignments, which would increase the base salary. There is also a pathway for promotion to higher level salary positions (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor).

SUNY Niagara also provides phenomenal benefits. Please visit https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/hr/benefits to view our benefits offerings. Our exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

Typical Work Activities

+ Teach and advise students

+ Participate in student recruitment activities

+ Apply for grants and solicit other resources

+ Maintain subject matter currency

+ Develop and revise the curriculum

+ Use computer technology including classroom technology and the College’s learning management system

+ Assess course learning outcomes

+ Contribute meaningfully and regularly to departmental/divisional meetings, taskforces, committees

+ Participate in college and discipline-specific professional activities

+ Cooperate with SUNY 4-year institutions as it pertains to curriculum coordination as well as student transfers

+ Complete other duties as assigned by the Dean of Business & STEM

Essential Functions

Ability to work with and teach a diverse student population. Ability to advise students for classes, transfer options, and career opportunities in the field. Ability to be an active member in the college and serve on committees representing the college. Ability to speak in front of groups of people. Must be able to communicate effectively with students, co-workers, supervisors, and the campus community. Must be able to develop, prepare and present information. Must able to operate computers. Must be able to physically perform the duties of the position.

Required Qualifications

+ Master’s degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, or a closely related discipline.

+ One (1) year of full-time (or equivalent) teaching or education experience.

+ One (1) year of full-time (or equivalent) working in zookeeping, animal husbandry, management, aquarist, or related field (practical, hands-on industry experience is essential).

+ Strong knowledge of animal behavior, nutrition, ecology, and husbandry techniques.

Desirable Qualifications

+ Ph.D. in Zoology, Animal Science, or related discipline.

+ Teaching experience at a community college.

+ Experience teaching using Learning Management Systems ( LMS ) like Brightspace for face-to-face, hybrid, and online instruction.

License(s)/Certifications

About SUNY Niagara

SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (http://www.nfculinary.org/) ( NFCI ) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI .

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

EEO Statement

SUNY Niagara does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number F239P

Open Date 12/22/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

For full consideration applications must be submitted by February 1st. If a viable candidate is not found during the initial review, applications submitted after February 1st will be considered.

SUNY Niagara considers only those applications that clearly demonstrate the applicant meets all required qualifications as indicated on the posting, please review the qualifications before applying. Persons meeting the required qualifications as stated above should submit the following:

• cover letter that addresses each of the qualifications

• resume

• unofficial transcripts

• names and contact information for three (3) current, work related references

Incomplete packets will be rejected for lack of information.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * Do you have at least a Master’s degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, or a closely related discipline?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Do you have at least one year of full time (or equivalent) teaching or eduacation experience?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Do you have at least one (1) year of full-time (or equivalent) experience working in zookeeping, animal husbandry, management, aquarist, or related field (practical, hands-on industry experience is essential)?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Do you have strong knowledge of animal behavior, nutrition, ecology, and husbandry techniques?

+ Yes

+ No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

+ Transcripts

Optional Documents

+ Letter of Recommendation

+ Portfolio

+ Certifications/Licenses

+ Transcript 2

+ Transcript 3