Job description

Department: WIT-Advanced Systems Technology

Campus Location: Washburn Tech

Application Deadline: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by March 31, 2026.

Position Summary:

Washburn Institute of Technology seeks applications for a Federation of Advance Manufacturing Education (FAME) Coordinator/Technical Instructor to begin July 1, 2026, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a 12-month, benefit-eligible position. Position will be at the Washburn Tech North Campus.

Each selected candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence at Washburn University, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.

About Washburn University:

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:

• Lead planning for the annual AMT orientation, working with partners in the FAME chapter to deliver a meaningful and impactful experience for new students using FAME standards for Orientation delivery.
• Serves as the Technical Instructor for the Industrial Machine/Maintenance Technology (IMMT) courses for the FAME Cohort.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employers, ensuring open communication and regular updates on student performance, attendance, and progress.
• Support recruiting efforts by working with employers, high schools, and community organizations to attract and retain qualified students.
• Coordinate with the FAME chapter to host program events such as orientation, open houses, and graduation ceremonies.
• Foster relationships with local employers to sustain and grow the FAME program.
• Ensure that all responsibilities outlined in the MOA are fulfilled, including academic delivery, integration of the Manufacturing Core Exercises (MCEs), and the professional development of students.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the college and the FAME chapter to address program needs, resolve issues, and maintain alignment with FAME national standards.
• Monitor and evaluate the program’s success, ensuring that program goals, retention, and completion rates are met or exceeded.
• Develop a curriculum according to the course competencies in each course syllabus.
• Prepare for and attend all class meetings.
• Develop assignments for the classroom and the lab.
• Enforce policies for safety and the use of personal protective equipment for all individuals in the lab environment.
• Maintain student records for the program (i.e. Certification testing and the assessment plan).
• Evaluate student work, provide feedback to students, administer tests, and assign grades.
• Share (as appropriate) student information with proper staff and departments.
• Use the university’s learning management system to track grades as required.
• Participate actively in departmental/program advisory board meetings.
• Foster a positive relationship with industry representatives and the community.
• Act in a manner that promotes collegial relationships and shows respect for students, staff, and colleagues.
• Maintain and/or advance training in industry-recognized certifications.
• Stay abreast of innovations and developments in the professional field.
• Adhere to university policies.
• Serve as Primary Investigator in grants as required.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of experience or 4000 hours as an industrial maintenance technician, which may include military experience or paid experience in a relevant business/industry.
• Experience with any or all of the following: PLCs, motor control circuits, robotics, process control, mechanical power transfer, hydraulics, pneumatics and pumps.
• Demonstrated effective organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience working in advanced manufacturing, technical education, or workforce development is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
• Official educational transcripts/certificates are required at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of teaching experience at post-secondary level.

How to apply

Apply now

 Inquiries pertaining to this position may be directed to Assistant Dean, Instructional Services, Chaz Havens [email protected].

Background Check Required

EEO Statement

Washburn is dedicated to providing a student-centered and teaching focused academic environment and a curriculum that engages the diversity of human experience across the globe. We seek candidates who are committed to Washburn’s efforts to create a climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Application materials should clearly articulate how the candidate will contribute to the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through their teaching, research, and/or service.

Washburn University is an EOE. Washburn University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.