Part-Time Astronomy Instructor (Pool)

Assignment

This position is a part-time position as an Associate Instructor. The teaching assignment may require teaching lecture-discussion courses during day, evening or on Saturday and/or in an on-line/distance education format. The assignments are as needed, during Spring, Summer, and/or Fall semesters. This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers (WVMFT), AFT 6554.

Work location: Mission College, Santa Clara, CA

Salary and Benefits

Salary is based on a percentage of workload, up to a maximum of 67% of a full-time load. Salary is prorated based on an initial hiring salary range of $38,464 – $55,582 per semester; and is based on academic achievement, teaching and related experience.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education – Possess any one of the following:
   • Master’s degree in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics; OR
   • Bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomy AND master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or geophysics; OR
   • A valid California Community College Instructor’s Credential in the discipline; OR
   • The equivalent of the above.
2. Demonstrated ability to effectively work with persons of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.

Desired Qualifications

Not Applicable

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional duties and assignments may consist of one or more of the following:

• Provide instruction for assigned courses. This includes preparation for in-class or on-line/distance education activities, evaluation of students’ work, consultation with students outside of class and/or on-line, maintenance of currency in the subjects taught.
• Maintain accurate class and other records required by the college.
• Submit, when due, attendance rosters and grade reports.
• Follow course outlines as filed in the instruction offices.
• Maintain office hours each week, at .5 hours per week per section.
• Observe, support and enforce the regulations, policies and programs of the District and college.
• Provide each student with a written course syllabus at the beginning of the course, as per instructions in the Faculty Handbook.
• Refer students to appropriate college sources for information on counseling and other student services.
• Assist students by providing advice on requirements for successful achievement in the members’ area of expertise.
• Work cooperatively within the college community.
• Foster an environment that protects academic freedom within the college community.
• Foster a positive working environment that is free from harassment, prejudice and/or bias.
• Demonstrate a respect for the dignity of each individual.

Other Duties

Not Applicable

Application Information

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

• Interested applicants must submit online all materials requested, including: (1) A completed online West Valley-Mission Community College District application; (2) Resume; (3) Unofficial copies of transcripts; (4) District Equivalency Application, if applicable; and (5) Any requested licenses or certificates, if applicable.
• All sections of the online application, including Education and Educational Work History, must be completed thoroughly.
• Supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone numbers must be included in the application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Do NOT send unrequested materials. Unrequested materials will be removed from your application and will not be used for consideration of employment.
• The employment application and supporting documents represent you; it is to your advantage to fill out the application form carefully and completely.

About Transcripts

• If a minimum requirement is possession of a degree, then a copy of transcripts is required to be included with your application to verify the degree being awarded. If no transcripts are included or the transcript does not show a degree conferred AND degree conferred date, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements.
• Degrees must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
• Candidates with degrees earned outside of the United States must provide official certification of equivalency to U. S. degrees by a certified U. S. credential review service, must have a U.S. evaluation (course by course of the transcripts) and must be submitted with this online application.
• If you do not have an electronic version of the transcript, you can get it scanned at an office supply or copy store, then attach the electronic version of your transcript to this online application.
• Copies of diplomas, grade reports, graduation petitions, transcript evaluations requests, or similar documents WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of transcripts.
• When uploading transcripts, please ensure they are NOT encrypted, secured, or password-protected or they will be rejected by the system.

Equivalency Information

Applicants applying under equivalency bear the responsibility of submitting the District’s Equivalency Application form with details and evidence of the factors (academic preparation and/or experience) that they believe to be equivalent of the required qualifications for this position. Application(s) for equivalency are required if degrees are not in exact discipline required.

The Equivalency Application is included in the online application as an OPTIONAL form to complete.

ONLY complete the Request for Equivalency application if degree does not match discipline(s) stated in the Minimum Qualifications. List accurately and completely the courses taken that match requirements of the required degree. Do NOT attach documents such as course evaluations.

For reasonable accommodations and assistance, contact:
Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment
14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 741-2564
Email: careers@wvm.edu

Selection Process

SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION:

• Applications will be screened by appropriate department representatives on an as-needed basis. Qualified applicants who best meet the needs of the division will be contacted for an interview.
• Travel expenses to attend the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
• Applications will remain in our online system for 1 year. Each year, part-time pools will be refreshed and applicants will be notified of the opportunity to re-submit application.
• Application materials become the property of the District and will not be returned or duplicated.
• The district reserves the right to contact former, current, the most recent employers, and others to investigate past employment records of applicants.
• Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she is authorized to work in the United States.
• The district does not provide visa sponsorship.

EEO Statement

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Posting Number

FY14/15-010POOL

Open Date

05/20/2025

Open Until Filled

Yes

Organization

West Valley-Mission Community College District has a devoted Board of Trustees and a dedicated staff that serves its two colleges. West Valley College in Saratoga and Mission College in Santa Clara are on the cutting edge among higher education institutions in the Silicon Valley. Every semester over 20,000 students enroll in courses at the colleges. Thousands of others take online, off-campus, or non-credit courses and seminars offered through a variety of programs. These programs are aimed at meeting the training and retraining needs of the people of Silicon Valley.

Mission College

Mission College is a public community college located in the City of Santa Clara, and in the heart of the Silicon Valley. We offer a future of transfer to a four year institution, a future in a career of your choice, a future of increasing skills for both higher education and the workforce and a future for an Associate’s Degree or Certificate that can get you on your way to any goal.

The highly diverse and active student population makes the environment at Mission College energetic and vibrant. It is a great place to meet new friends, participate in clubs and make your voice heard in student advocacy. Our faculty is among the most qualified in the state and our students appreciate the college for its friendly staff and supportive atmosphere. The staff at Mission College is uniquely poised to help and guide your path to the future.

Mission College has many programs and services to ensure student success and support. Financial Aid can assist in making college affordable. Counseling helps students set achievable goals and provides guidance through orientation, study skills, and career courses. The college Career Center and Job Placement Office help students transition to the working world after college and each year sponsor’s a job fair featuring more than 60 employers. Finally, our Transfer Center helps to guide the transition from the two-year college to a four-year college so that students can easily gain a Bachelor’s degree. Each spring semester, Mission College hosts the largest college fair in the San Francisco Bay Area, where more than 180 national and international colleges and universities are represented.

West Valley

West Valley is about success. It’s about helping students create a future for themselves so they can contribute to a world that needs their talents, drive and enthusiasm. We do that by providing as much one-on-one interaction with students as possible. The results speak for themselves.

• 571 students transferred to UCs and CSUs in 2012
• 552 students earned AA/AS degrees in 2012
• 170 students earned Certificates that led to careers in 2012
• We host learners from 25 countries who come to the United States looking for the kind of instruction that will help them contribute to the global economy.
• We offer classes on our beautiful 143-acre Saratoga campus in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, located at the southwest border of Silicon Valley. Here you can expand your mind, hang out with friends, and contemplate a world of ideas.

Why not join us, and build your future as we build the future of Silicon Valley, one student at a time.