Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track Microbiology Instructor at the Walla Walla campus. While we are hoping the successful candidate can join us during the 2022-2023 academic year, the start date is flexible and could be extended to Fall 2023, depending on circumstance.

We are currently seeking a creative, dynamic, and passionate educator to provide high-quality instruction in the areas of microbiology and general (cell) biology. Students engaging in microbiology and general biology courses offered by the college are typically planning on pursuing a career in the health sciences or transferring to a baccalaureate institution. Given the diverse needs and interests of our student population, an ideal applicant would be prepared to engage students using a variety of innovative instructional methods, including blended and digital course delivery. WWCC also recognizes the benefits of experiential learning and is actively working towards creating sustainable undergraduate research opportunities on campus. As such, an ideal candidate would also demonstrate a commitment to growing and fostering undergraduate research opportunities at a level appropriate for students at a two-year college.

At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. We have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.

General Description:

The Microbiology Instructor at WWCC will be a professional educator who is responsible for providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities for biology students. This faculty position reports to the Dean of Academic Transfer.

Teaching and Related Responsibilities

Full-time teaching faculty are credentialed, professional educators with the primary responsibility of providing a quality education for all WWCC students. The relationship of the faculty member to the student is one of teacher, mentor, and facilitator of learning.

There are five categories and specific responsibilities which constitute a faculty member's contractual assignment. These categories are broadly described below and are more fully described Article 12 (p. 9) of the Faculty Contract (Download PDF reader).

• Teaching/Equivalent Responsibilities: Teaching is the primary responsibility of this position. This includes aspects of teaching such as: classroom preparation, curriculum development, grading, holding office hours, and development and preparation of student outcomes assessment.
• Advising: Good advising is key to student retention and success and is fostered through informed and intentional academic advising and widespread student access. These responsibilities incorporate both academic advising and mentorship.
• Professional Development: WWCC recognizes the importance of professional development and is committed to providing funding for the on-going professional improvement of faculty. Professional development will encompass required college-wide training as well as self-selected scholarly and creative endeavors.
• Professional Accomplishments: Participation in professional organizations and contributions to the profession are encouraged and recognized. Faculty are urged to share expertise and knowledge through conferences, presentations, applying research and/or publishing.
• Service to the College: Service may be to students, faculty, the college, and community.

Instructional Competencies

There are six essential instructional competency areas that are valued for all teaching faculty at WWCC. These essential instructional competencies focus on student success, equity, and teaching.

1. Student Success Teaching Strategies – Implement and practice diverse teaching and learning strategies understanding that students come with different educational preparedness.

2. Outcomes-Based Design – Design curriculum, assignments, and projects that align with course and college-wide learning outcomes.

3. Assessment – Develop student knowledge and mastery through consistent, timely formative and summative assessment.

4. Equity, Diversity, and Cultural Inclusivity – Design learning opportunities that recognize student diversity as well as foster a learning environment of inclusion and understanding.

5. Digital and Information Literacy – Ensure students have technological and digital literacy skills needed for success at university level academic institutions or professional-technical work occupations.

6. Commitment to Professional Development and College Life – Engage in continuous professional growth as well as participate in activities that promote the Walla Walla Community College’s community and mission.

Required Qualifications

Equivalent education/experience may substitute at the discretion of the College.

• Master's Degree in Microbiology or in a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated proficiency teaching at the college level for at least two years. Experience as a teaching assistant or adjunct instructor may count toward the requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in Microbiology or in a closely related discipline
• Experience teaching at a community college
• Experience teaching microbiology and/or general biology courses with labs
• Experience teaching in a variety of modalities: In-person, web- or technology-enhanced, hybrid or online
• Experience working with, relating to, and advocating for persons from varied cultural, ethnic, gender, age, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds
• Experience mentoring undergraduate research
• Bilingual in Spanish / English

Desired Traits

• Pedagogy centered on student success
• Commitment to serve the mission of the two-year college
• Passion for STEM education
• Desire to provide relevant and equitable learning opportunities for all students
• Desire to invest in professional growth and interdisciplinary pursuits
• Willingness to adapt teaching methodologies to the changing needs of students
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Terms and Conditions of Employment: This is a full-time tenure-track faculty position exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Faculty terms and conditions of employment are negotiated with their exclusive bargaining representative, the Association for Higher Education. A complete copy of the agreement can be found on the WWCC Employment Page.

Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment and official college transcripts. Candidates will be subject to a criminal history background check as a condition for consideration of employment. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. The College is a tobacco-free campus.

Compensation: The College has a negotiated faculty salary schedule. Employee placement on the schedule is determined by education level and experience. Salary is dependent on the number of days of the contract and the candidate’s placement on the negotiated faculty salary schedule. Initial placement is generally $59,144 - $67,425 for a standard 176-day contract, dependent on qualifications (additional compensation for doctorate degree). The College has a comprehensive faculty benefit program including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; paid sick leave; and retirement and two optional deferred compensation programs. All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). The college also supports faculty professional development. Walla Walla Community College requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary.

This position will remain open until filled. To be included in the initial screening, applications should be received by November 18th, 2022. To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• Online NEOGOV application.
• Cover letter that addresses the following:
  • Your qualifications for this position.
  • How your personal teaching philosophy aligns with and meets the needs of students at a rural community college.
• Curriculum vitae or comprehensive résumé
• Names and contact information for three professional references
• Answers to three (3) supplemental questions
• Unofficial transcripts for application purposes; official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.

WWCC also reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.

If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call NEOGOV Applicant Support at 1-855-524-5627.

Walla Walla Community College is committed to provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all educational and employment applicants as well as for its students and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Federal Rehabilitation of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. To qualify for veteran's preference, you must attach a copy of your DD214 or NGB 22. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodation in the application/ employment process, please call (509) 527-4323 - TDD (509) 527-4412.