Job Description

 

West Hills College, Lemoore

Political Science Instructor
Salary: $67,970.00 - $105,662.00 Annually
Closing Date: 1/14/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Expected Start Date: Fall 2024

 

This position is a one-year temporary contract

 

Summary
West Hills College Lemoore (WHCL) is offering a full-time temporary (1-year contract) position in Political Science. The successful candidate must be dedicated to serving students of varying skill levels, be a discipline expert in the field, and will champion, innovate, and provide dynamic pedagogical approaches focused on student success.

The successful candidate will exhibit a passion for educating a diverse student population through culturally responsive pedagogy and demonstrate the use of effective practices for engaging students with diverse learning needs, backgrounds, and academic goals.

Current course offerings include introductory courses designed to help students develop a foundational understanding of the discipline as well as the fundamental skills and knowledge to meet their educational and career goals. The successful candidate will be responsible for enhancing curriculum including modernizing and increasing the accessibility of the programs offered including the use of technology to deliver instruction in the classroom. Instructional delivery may include the development and implementation of non-traditional approaches and distance learning strategies such as online, hybrid, or video conference (two-way interactive courses), etc.

Teaching assignments may include day, evening, and/or weekend courses at West Hills College Lemoore and/or other off-campus sites using face to face, hybrid, or online modalities. A minimum of five office hours per week are required. Other responsibilities include participation in department, campus and/or governance meetings. This includes, but is not limited to, Academic Senate appointments to standing councils, committees, and/or a variety of ad-hoc task forces. Additional non-instructional activities may include but are not limited to student recruitment, advising, and updating or developing new curriculum based on student need, industry/workforce standards, and regulatory or accreditation requirements. Participation is also required in developing, assessing, and analyzing learning outcomes and collaborating with full-time and part-time faculty on program review to maintain compliance of the discipline with articulation agreements, interdisciplinary projects, college initiatives and/or employer advisory committees,

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Develop and assess innovative and diverse approaches to learning that improve student retention and success such as deploying learning communities, integrating learning technology, rely on evidence-based practices, and various modalities such as online, hybrid, fast-track, accelerated, etc.
• Instruct and evaluate students effectively in face to face, hybrid, or online classes.
• Instruct a full-time load of classes in Political Science and related areas as assigned. This may require traveling and teaching at various sites throughout the districts service area.
• Implement contemporary teaching methods that enhance learning and utilize technology to performing instructional and non-instructional duties including, but not limited to, Canvas or other learning management system(s), other software/computer aided instruction and multi-media (Microsoft Office Suite), District student information management system(s) (Civitas), and District information management system(s) (Colleague).
• Teach courses consistent with the approved and adopted Course Outline of Record.
• Work within and across disciplines to develop and implement a guided pathways model to promote student success, completion, transfer readiness, and career preparation.
• Work with other faculty to design, implement, and assess Student Learning Outcomes at the course, program, and institutional levels to improve the quality of educational delivery and ensure student success.
• Champion collaborative practices in instruction that lead to an active student-centered environment and close equity and gender gaps.
• Assist in the growth and success of a diverse population of students through careful preparation of course materials, effective teaching methodologies, as well as informed critical feedback on assignments and discussions.
• Assess and evaluate class content, materials, and to make changes to address gaps and areas of growth based on student needs.
• Design, develop, and deliver curriculum with application and relevancy to the varied and diverse backgrounds of students.
• Participate in faculty responsibilities such as: course and/or program curriculum development, review, articulation, and evaluation. Assist in budget preparation, program review, participatory governance and employer advisory committees, research, accreditation; and special projects as needed.
• Meet record keeping obligations within specified time frames and in compliance with identified deadlines (e.g., grades, census, reports, roster certification, textbook orders, requisitions, etc.).
• Maintain and provide current course syllabi as required by California Education Code and West Hills College Lemoore.
• Hold regular office hours.
• Advise and assist students.
• Commit to extracurricular activities as assigned (e.g., student club advisor, student newspaper, etc.)
• Commit to professional excellence by remaining current in the subject matter and techniques of effective instruction through participation in professional development activities.
• Be student focused in instructional and non-instructional elements and responsibilities.
• Help to promote enrollment through student completion in classes, degrees, certificates, transfer preparation, and career readiness.
• Work with counseling/advising and student services team to support and address student needs.
• Participate in teaching and learning and other professional growth opportunities in the discipline, with peers, and other areas to advance student success, associate degree/certificate program completion, transfer to universities, career readiness, etc.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

 

Qualification
Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with the mission, vision, and philosophies of California Community Colleges. Ability to instruct and evaluate students effectively in the college classroom.
• Ability to provide work/business related application to advance student learning and achievement.
• Demonstrated understanding of equity issues in higher education and strategies to address equity gaps.
• Experience with pedagogy and andragogy that engages students in their own learning process and develops critical thinking skills.
• Ability to develop curriculum in the discipline.
• Ability to implement contemporary teaching methods and technologies to promote and effectively facilitate innovation in teaching and learning practices.
• Ability to communicate clearly with students and staff, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of and ability to communicate various issues and concerns facing historically underrepresented students as it relates to course content.
• Ability and commitment to working with a diverse division/team on implementing highly effective inclusive, culturally responsive practices and participating in dialogue on equity in education.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and community organizations as well as to be involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and development through memberships in regional, state, and national organizations or other activities appropriate to the discipline or assignment.
• Ability and willingness to teach a wide range of classes as schedule and situation require including travel to the district's various sites.
• Knowledge of the use of technology in performing instructional and non-instructional duties, including distance education technology, online course delivery, computerized presentations, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Successful teaching experience at the secondary or post-secondary level.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students.
• Ability to use data to drive decisions regarding student success and retention.
• Evidence of an ability to self-reflect and respond to an evidence-based assessment of student learning.
• Willingness to examine and re-mediate one's instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support students.
• Bilingual preferred (but not required).

 

Education and Experience
Evidence of sensitivity and responsiveness to as well as an understanding of the racial, ethnic, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity- minded educational services and practices.

Masters in political science, government, or international relations
OR
Bachelors in any of the above
AND
Masters in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, and any ethnic studies, Juris Doctorate Degree (J.D.) or Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B)
OR the equivalent.

Licenses and Certificates
Requires a valid drivers license.

 

EQUIVALENCY
Candidates not meeting the minimum qualifications as stated above may complete an equivalency form (linked under "Required Materials" below) to be submitted with the other required material. Requests for equivalency will be reviewed by the Equivalency Committee as assigned by the Academic Senate. If you need a copy of the equivalency form and are unable to download by clicking on the link below, please contact Human Resources at 559-934-2155 or via email at humanresources@whccd.edu.

 

Supplemental Information
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Cover letter addressing the essential functions of this position.
2. Online District Application
3. Resume
4. Unofficial transcripts verifying degree(s) received.
5. Equivalency Form (Download PDF reader) (only needed if MQs are not met)

*Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidates responsibility to make sure the application packet is complete. *West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.

Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.

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