Instructor Jobs in Iowa
Instructor jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, where community colleges, university systems, and corporate training centers maintain steady demand across K-12, higher education, and workforce development. Kirkwood Community College, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University are among the most consistent employers, alongside corporate training divisions at major Iowa-based manufacturers and financial services firms. Demand is strongest for instructors specializing in technical and trades education, adult workforce training, and academic subject instruction at the community college level. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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JOB GOAL:
To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
Pay is $1,314 per credit hour.
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
Kirkwood Community College seeks a skilled and enthusiastic individual to join our team as an Adjunct Instructor. The successful candidate will have strong knowledge base in their discipline and teaching experience at the college level is desirable. Primary duties will include instructing students in courses, and communicating with department staff, students, and other faculty.
Kirkwood Community College’s Allied Health Department is seeking a clinical instructor for the Dental Hygiene program. The position requires the candidate to be a current Registered Dental Hygienist at least 3 years of recent clinical experience. The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree. Experience working with students or previous training experience is preferred, but not required. The position will not be expected to create curriculum, but is expected to adapt existing curriculum to meet the needs of the students in the clinic space and meet all course learning outcomes. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, goal-oriented, be able to communicate complex methods and procedures clearly and precisely to students, conduct test-outs, and maintain correspondence with program faculty.
We are looking for someone on Mondays or Wednesday, full days from 8 am to 4 pm for the fall and spring semesters. The location is at the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.Adjunct faculty positions are temporary, part-time positions scheduled intermittently based on institutional need. Adjuncts are not guaranteed work in any semester and are notified of course assignments prior to each term as courses become available. Official transcripts will be required if offered a position.
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
- Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
- Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
- Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
- Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide instruction in discipline.
- Work with other faculty members to develop a course syllabus and consistent assessments.
- Communicate with department staff, students, and faculty on a regular basis.
- Perform other related work duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
- Effectively instruct and communicate material for the course.
- Abide by and enforce safety rules when in a lab setting.
- Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Position involves working in a classroom setting. Occasional (10-33%) sitting, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) standing, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current Registered Dental Hygienist.
- Minimum of 3 years of recent, related experience in Dental Hygiene.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:
- Local Anesthesia Permit
- Experience teaching at the college level.
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission of a comprehensive community college.
- Demonstrated success in working collaboratively.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
EEO/AA STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572,equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
WHY KIRKWOOD:
Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
See All 33 Instructor Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Instructor JobsInstructor Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Instructor Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Des Moines Area Community College13

- YMCA4

- MercyOne1

- IOWA GYM-NEST1I
- School of EMS1S
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in instructor jobs across Iowa.
- Iowa teaching license or equivalent credential issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject area or in education
- Prior teaching, training, or facilitation experience in an academic or professional setting
- Demonstrated subject matter expertise through coursework, industry experience, or certifications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse adult and student learners
- Ability to develop and deliver curriculum aligned with program or institutional learning outcomes
Instructor Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a instructor in Iowa?
The path depends on the setting. For K-12 instruction, candidates must hold a license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, which requires an approved educator preparation program and passing the relevant Praxis or Iowa Licensure Test. Community college and workforce development instructors typically need a degree in their subject area and relevant work experience. Corporate and continuing education instructors generally do not require a state license, but industry certifications strengthen candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire instructors in Iowa?
Employers hiring instructors in Iowa right now include Des Moines Area Community College, YMCA, and MercyOne, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's large community college network, public university systems, and manufacturing and financial sectors generate consistent instructor openings throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most instructor jobs?
Ankeny, Iowa, and Des Moines have the most instructor openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share through its concentration of community colleges, corporate headquarters, and healthcare and financial services employers with active training programs, while Iowa City and Cedar Rapids benefit from major university and community college campuses that create steady demand for academic and workforce instructors.
Are there remote instructor jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since much of instructor work involves in-person facilitation, lab oversight, or hands-on demonstration. About 0% of instructor openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be in online course delivery, corporate e-learning, and continuing education programs where synchronous or asynchronous virtual instruction is well established.
How can I get hired as a instructor in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a teaching assistant, instructional aide, or adjunct role at one of Iowa's community colleges, such as Kirkwood Community College, Des Moines Area Community College, or Iowa Central Community College, which regularly hire part-time instructors to build their rosters. Candidates coming from industry can transition by earning a relevant certification and applying for workforce development or continuing education roles, where hands-on professional experience often outweighs formal teaching credentials. Building a short portfolio of lesson plans or training materials and completing the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' substitute authorization can also open doors to full-time positions faster.
Where can I find and apply to instructor jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to instructor jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Iowa employers. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match your experience.
See All 33 Instructor Jobs in Iowa
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