Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Southwestern Community College
Chula Vista, CA
Job posting number: #7117751
Posted: December 9, 2022
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
District Values:Incumbents in District positions are expected to exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.
Job Description
Responsibilities:
This position may include a combination of day, evening, weekend, and extension site assignments.
Southwestern Community College District (SCCD) is seeking a full-time, tenure track, equity-focused faculty member committed to serving its’ culturally diverse student population.
Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who will foster an inclusive learning environment through equity-minded teaching, leadership, and service to students working toward goals of university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, employment advancement, and personal growth.
THE COLLEGE
Southwestern Community College District is a single college district providing higher education in Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, National City and Coronado. SCCD’s strategic south San Diego County locations position the College to provide exceptional service to a binational community on the U.S.-Mexico International Border. SCCD is one of 20 initial California Guided Pathways colleges and is known for its excellent learning communities. As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, the College values equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive andragogy for all students.
The College is dedicated to providing quality academic programs, comprehensive student support services that ensure equitable access, and clear pathways to student success. These efforts include professional development opportunities, employee-led affinity groups, proud commitment to DACA students, and supportive employee onboarding practices.
OUR STUDENTS
Southwestern Community College District currently enrolls approximately 28,000 students annually. SCCD is comprised of 69% Hispanic students, 10% Caucasian students, 8% Filipino students, 5% African American students, and 3% Asian students. Approximately 63% of the College’s students are under the age of 24 with 23% between the ages 25-39. Our students’ gender demographics are represented by 55% female and 44% male.
OUR VALUES
We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, academic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religious, and ethnic and racial backgrounds of community college students and employees, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:
Critically self-assess their individual impact, through teaching practices and student engagement, on closing equity gaps and holds themselves accountable to upholding and delivering equitable practices.
Reframe deficit language and take individual and collective responsibility to look at their own practices as a vehicle to eliminate inequities.
Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human differences.
Strategically encourage and build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity efforts.
Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Dean of the School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering, as a full-time faculty member for the Chemistry discipline, this individual will provide leadership for the development of curriculum, integration of technology into the curriculum, and course materials for both lecture and laboratory. The new faculty member is expected to participate in department, school and college committees, selected staff development, and/or extracurricular activities. The teaching assignment may consist of a combination of freshman and sophomore-level chemistry courses.
In addition to instruction, general responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Teach all classes as assigned and maintain contractually defined office hours that are supportive of students
Provide a learning environment that addresses diverse learning styles
Assist in the development of new curriculum, integrating modern (analytical) instrumentation at all levels
Implement innovative teaching strategies, including inquiry-based learning and CUREs (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience)
Recruit, advise, and mentor students
Work collegially and professionally as part of a team
Show a commitment to ongoing professional development and knowledge of advancements in chemistry
Demonstrate commitment to the goals and philosophy of the California Community College system
Knowledge & Abilities:
1. Subject matter preparation:
a. Experience in teaching general education/non-major, majors, and allied health chemistry
b. Experience in developing and teaching inquiry and research-based labs
2. Evidence of ability and effectiveness as a faculty member:
a. Understanding of the role and purpose of the community college
b. Knowledge and practice of culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy that supports student-centered, self-reflective, and student-capable approaches and encompasses a wide range of institutional delivery systems
c. Ability to use teaching methods that engage racially, ethnically, academically, socioeconomically, and culturally diverse students; promote critical thinking and emphasize cooperation and collaboration
d. Ability to teach online courses and use online course management systems effectively
e. Ability to evaluate one’s andragogy and improve its effectiveness in facilitating student learning
f. Sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities
g. Commitment to collegiality and collaboration by working as a team with faculty and staff to enhance instruction, curriculum, and student success; and to plan class schedules and teaching rotations
h. Commitment to professional responsibilities and associations outside of the classroom through contributions to the department, division, and college activities
Education & Experience:
Minimum Qualifications (Faculty and Academic Administrator Positions Only)
Master’s Degree in Chemistry
OR
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry AND a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Physics, Physics, Molecular Biology, or Geochemistry
OR
the equivalent
OR
valid California Community College Instructor Credential in Chemistry.
Desired Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following desired qualifications:
Commitment and success working in a diverse and multicultural community.
Experience and expertise in culturally responsive teaching in chemistry.
Experience and ability to address equity gaps within the classroom.
Knowledge of what it means to work in a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution in regard to institutional, departmental and instructional practices.
Successful teaching experience in chemistry at the community college level, serving a culturally diverse student body composed largely of historically underserved and nontraditional students.
Interest in, commitment to, and enthusiasm for working as a member of a team that is committed to excellence in chemistry instruction so that students are well prepared for subsequent courses at Southwestern College and elsewhere.
Experience with teaching a variety of courses, including both lectures and labs, allied health courses, and analytical chemistry.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to adapt to changes in curriculum and to design new and appropriate laboratory including inquiry-based learning activities as well as CUREs.
Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation, preferably with a degree in analytical chemistry and/or experience in maintaining NMR, fluorometer, CD, HPLC, and GC/MS instruments.
Proficiency in the use of computer technology in lecture and laboratory applications with an emphasis on chemistry-specific applications that include the use of chemical editors and Excel spreadsheets for cheminformatics analyses and calculations, as well as for data acquisition and analysis
History of active leadership and mentorship, active participation in professional organizations, and an interest in pursuing external funding through writing grant applications.
Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College is desirable.
Licenses and Other Requirements:
A short teaching demonstration may be required of those invited for an interview.
All District students and employees must participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption.
All staff and clients must wear a mask until State, County, and District regulations change. Personal protective equipment provided and required.
Plastic shield at workstations until State, County, and District regulations change.
Social distancing guidelines in place until State, County, and District regulations change.
Working Conditions:
Salary:
Upon initial employment, full-time faculty members are placed on the salary schedule based upon years of experience and education. Initial salary placement for experience can range from $58,413.00-$87,892.00 per year. Faculty members are encouraged to continue their professional development through additional study qualifying them for advancement on the salary schedule. For the current salary schedule and information on salary placement visit our website at www.swccd.edu.
Benefits include a choice of medical plans, dental coverage, vision, sick leave, and an optional tax deferred flexible benefit plan. Coverage is offered for employees and all eligible dependents.
Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.