Location: Spokane Falls Main Campus Spokane

Department: SFCC Physical Science Engineer

Starting salary for this position is: This is a full-time, tenure track position with an entry level base salary (for a 175-day academic year contract) of $73,813 - $104,495 annually. Future advancement in base salary, up to the current maximum of $104,495, is based upon a combination of years of service accrued at our college and professional development activity.

Annual salary is comprised of base salary plus any combination of academic year overload contracts, summer effort contracts, project stipends, student club advising stipends, and/or department chair program lead faculty stipends consistent with the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement between CCS and the Association for Higher Education (AHE).

About Us 

Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is a beautiful campus located in the inland Pacific Northwest, on the ancestral home of the Spokane Tribe, near the Spokane River. Our campus is not far from the urban center of Spokane, a mid-sized city with a high quality of life and quick access to the outdoors.

SFCC is one of two accredited community colleges that comprise the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS). Serving about 6,000 students, SFCC endeavors to be an educational leader and a responsive partner with the community and region, offering access to relevant programs of the highest quality. We offer a large liberal arts/transfer program (approximately 75% of total enrollment) as well as state-of-the-art professional technical programs (about 25%). In addition to serving the urban and suburban population in greater Spokane, CCS provides educational services to rural communities throughout a 12,302 square mile region in Eastern Washington. This region includes all of Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, Ferry, and Pend Oreille Counties as well as portions of Lincoln County.

SFCC’s mission is to provide all students with an excellent education that transforms lives and expands their opportunities. We fulfill this mission by embracing Guided Pathways, whereby all students discover and engage their passions and get on the path to achieve their educational goals in a cost-effective and focused way. We foster equity and inclusion by addressing every student’s unique needs. We celebrate the opportunity to meet individual students where they are and provide them with excellent education and holistic support to reach their full potential.

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. PST on 01/24/2024. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.

About the Astronomy Instructor - Tenure-Track - Spokane Falls Community College

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high-quality, effective, college-level instruction in introductory level non-laboratory and laboratory Astronomy courses. Course assignments will be on campus and may include online and hybrid sections as well as evening or weekend classes depending on the need of the discipline.
• Support the operation of the department’s planetarium and public outreach programming, including creating, developing and delivering engaging presentations on astronomical topics to diverse audiences, including schools, community groups, and public events.
• Create and deliver engaging presentations on local K-12 science standard topics in Astronomy to diverse audiences, including schools, community groups, and public events.
• Maintain knowledge of current software and equipment related to planetarium usage, along with understanding and collaborating with scheduling and online ticketing processes, and planetarium website content.
• Provide available and accessible academic consulting and support, in a manner appropriate to meet student needs, through a combination of scheduled office hours, e-mail accessibility, or other effective means of responsive and timely communication.
• Communicate expectations and establish clear grading criteria through appropriate instructional means, to include but not limited to developing course syllabi, handouts, and materials supporting the instructional process.
• Evaluate student progress and provide clear, timely feedback.
• Demonstrate  commitment to advance diversity, promote equity, and prepare students to live responsibly in an increasingly global civilization.
• Demonstrate  a commitment to serving a socially and culturally diverse student population.
• Participate in advising and mentoring a diverse student population.
• Participate in development, assessment, and revision of curriculum in the Astronomy department as needed.
• Develop quality programs through active participation in strategic planning, assessment of course and program outcomes, and implementation of approaches to address equity gaps.
• Participate in ongoing faculty development to complement and improve teaching.
• Participate in district, division, department, or general faculty meetings: in-service training; curriculum development; academic consulting; workshops or seminars; service on district and college councils or committees, or other activities within the scope of the position.
• Comply with state and federal law applicable to professional duties and responsibilities; follow established procedures in areas such as printing, turning in grades, bookstore orders, office support, student financial aid requirements, safety and health issues, and related administrative processes.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal and professional interactions.
• Support and advance the CCS strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned.
• In addition, faculty may:
  • Instruct courses in related disciplines based upon individual qualifications and expertise.
  • Supervise and direct the work of assigned work-study students.
  • Advise student clubs or associations.
  • Advise students in their chosen pathway.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned Master's degree in Astronomy or a closely related field (e.g., Astrophysics, Physics, Planetary Science) from an accredited institution.
• Evidence of a commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning, and working environment that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience with planetarium operations and/or public outreach in astronomy. Familiarity with planetarium software and equipment may be considered an asset.
• Experience teaching post-secondary Astronomy, related Physics, or Planetary Science courses. This may include serving as a lead instructor in a classroom setting or as a graduate teaching assistant with primary teaching responsibilities.
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting student success and promoting the welfare and best interests of students at all times.
• A clear understanding of and willingness to support the role of community colleges in higher education, particularly the mission, values, goals, and objectives of the Community Colleges of Spokane.
• Proven ability to perform assigned duties in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional goals of the community and technical college system.
• A demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to the success of the organization and the students it serves.
• A strong commitment to working effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators, and others from various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to integrate technology, online platforms, or innovative teaching methodologies into astronomy instruction.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The following competencies are not necessary for application, but having one or more of these could increase a candidate’s success.

• Proven experience implementing strategies that address equity and diversity in education, including developing or supporting initiatives such as Guided Pathways, enhancing student retention and success, and addressing barriers to student placement, particularly within a community college setting.
• A doctoral degree in Astronomy or a related field (Astrophysics, Physics, Planetary Science) from an accredited institution.
• At least one year teaching post-secondary introductory-level Astronomy, related Physics, or Planetary Sciences.
• Experience delivering presentations in a planetarium setting, including to college students or general audiences.
• Experience and proven expertise with planetarium operations and presentation technologies.
• Demonstrated experience teaching in multiple instructional modalities, including online and hybrid formats.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with colleagues on curriculum development, assessment of learning outcomes, and implementing innovative teaching techniques.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Community Colleges of Spokane maintains a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.  

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Benefits Information

This is an annually contracted (either tenure track or annualized) position. Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board; TIAA-Cref retirement plan or WA State Retirement Plan.; leave accruals and usage are governed by the faculty master contract.

Public Employees Benefits Board

Additional benefits information

Required Application Materials

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• CCS online application. *
• Cover letter addressing your qualifications relevant to the responsibilities of this position. *
• Resume/CV *
• One-page submission that describes the applicant’s approach to delivering complex scientific topics to students and the general public who may not have math and science backgrounds.*
• References – the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references. *
• College transcript(s) if applicable - unofficial/copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial application, official copies must be submitted upon acceptance of job offer.*

For questions regarding a job application or the hiring process, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at CCS.Recruiter@ccs.spokane.edu.

Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) Equity Statement

CCS believes that access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. We also believe higher education institutions have an obligation to work toward and demonstrate progress in ensuring equity amongst their students, faculty, and staff. Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness. In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.

Native Land Acknowledgement

We are honored to acknowledge that the Community Colleges of Spokane, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe.
 
We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all Indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA, and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.

Equal Opportunity Institution

Community Colleges of Spokane does not discriminate in its programs, activities and employment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, parental status or families with children, status as a mother breastfeeding their child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, honorably discharged veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected category. 

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Fred Davis | Chief Human Resources Officer
Community Colleges of Spokane
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040