Communication Studies Instructor - Tenure-Track - Spokane Falls Community College
- Spokane, Washington, United States
- Tenure Track Faculty
- Closing at: Mar 9 2026 - 16:00 PDT
Location: Spokane Falls Main Campus Spokane
Department: SFCC CAML - Communication Arts Modern Languages and Drama
Salary Information: This is a full-time, tenure track position with an entry level base salary (for a 175-day academic year contract) of $71,096 - $108,630 annually. Future advancement in base salary, up to the current maximum of $108,630, 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 Spokane Colleges and the Association for Higher Education (AHE).
About Us
Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is seeking applications from qualified candidates for a full-time tenure track instructional position in Communication Studies, housed in the department of Communication Arts and Modern Languages (CAML). The CAML Department is a large, diverse department with a strong regional reputation for innovation and excellence. CAML is committed to being an inclusive and equitable community. This instructor will teach communication studies courses with an emphasis in Intercultural Communication, depending on program needs.
SFCC seeks applicants with a high degree of professionalism, a strong commitment to collaboration, ability to motivate and educate in an engaging manner, and experience working with people with diverse backgrounds and academic skills. The college strives for faculty who are subject matter experts and who are also knowledgeable about best practices in course design and delivery, innovative strategies, and instructional technologies that support teaching and learning in various modalities.
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. More information about living and working in Spokane available at: https://www.spokaneteachinghealth.org/life-in-spokane/
SFCC is one of two accredited community colleges that comprise the Spokane Colleges. In addition to serving the urban and suburban population in greater Spokane, including students from Fairchild Airforce Base, Spokane Colleges provides educational services to rural communities throughout our 12,302 square-mile region in Eastern Washington, including students from the Spokane and other Eastern Washington tribes.
Serving approximately 6,900 students, SFCC endeavors to be an educational leader and a responsive partner with the community and region to provide 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 (approximately 25%). As reflected in our mission statement, we strive to “provide all students an excellent education that transforms their lives and expands their opportunities.” SFCC embraces 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.
Spokane Colleges 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.
Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. PST on 03/09/2026. 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 Communication Studies Instructor - Tenure-Track - Spokane Falls Community College
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will:
- Demonstrate commitment to serving a socially and culturally diverse student population, promoting equity, and preparing students to live responsibly in an increasingly global civilization.
- Prepare for and instruct courses in communication studies through in-person, hybrid, flex, and online modalities, as appropriate to program needs. Courses assigned may include (but not be limited to):
- Intercultural Communication
- Introduction to Communication
- Job Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Communication
- Public Speaking
- Gender Communication
- FYE (First Year Experience)
- Introduction to Humanities
- Utilize equity-minded practices in the development of course syllabi, assessments, and materials supporting the instructional process.
- Evaluate student progress and provide clear, timely feedback.
- Provide availability and accessibility to students for the purpose of academic advising/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.
- Work collaboratively, strategically, and respectfully with diverse colleagues and community members.
- Attend, participate in department, division, and college council or committees; participate in district, division, department, or general faculty meetings; in-service training; program and curriculum development; workshops or seminars. Represent the department and division in college and/or district committees and governance councils.
- Actively participate in and support the planning and execution of department or division sponsored events relevant to promoting increased awareness of and respect for diverse cultural voices and perspectives. (e.g. Intercultural week events, Film series / showcases, etc.)
- 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, safety and health issues, and related administrative processes.
- In addition, faculty may:
- Advise student clubs or associations.
- Actively participate in the department and college events promoting intercultural awareness, diversity, and equity.
- Instruct courses in related disciplines based upon individual qualifications and expertise.
- Advocate for Communication Studies and/or CAML on campus and in the community.
MINIMUM QULIFCATIONS
- An earned Master’s degree in Communication Studies or Communication (or a closely aligned discipline) from an accredited institution.
- Previous experience teaching Communication Studies equivalent to one academic year (including during graduate school).
- Background or experience with intercultural communication.
- Demonstrated teaching experience and/or ability with various modalities (online, on ground, hybrid/flex).
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning, and working environment that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Demonstrated commitment to always promoting the welfare and best interests of students.
- Ability to articulate the community college mission and values and how SFCC advances them.
- Ability to perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and goals of the institution and the community/technical college system.
DESIRED QUALIFACTIONS
The following competencies are not necessary for application, but having one or more of these could increase a candidate’s success:
- An earned Ph.D. in Communication from an accredited institution by the beginning of the initial contract.
- Experience teaching intercultural communication.
- A concentration or emphasis of training and/or research related to intercultural communication from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated ability in curriculum design and development that is innovative, equity-minded, and engaging using classroom instructional technology and learning management system technology.
- Experience equivalent to two or more years of college-level instruction in Communication Studies.
- Professional and/or personal experience working with historically underrepresented or minoritized populations.
- Ongoing participation in activities that promote professional development, such as: conferences, workshops, publications, etc.
- Experience or active engagement with community organizations promoting intercultural relations.
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 Spokane Colleges maintain 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 (tenure track) 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:
- Spokane Colleges online application including supplemental questions.
- Cover letter addressing how your qualifications fulfill the required (and preferred) competencies for the position. *
- Comprehensive resume. *
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references. *
- Undergraduate and graduate college transcript(s) – unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial application. Official copies of transcripts must be submitted upon acceptance of job offer. *
- List of communication courses taught with modality. *
- Evidence of teaching excellence. This may include student, peer, and/or supervisor evaluations or any other documents which demonstrate teaching excellence in language and culture. (optional)
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
Equal Opportunity Institution
Spokane Colleges provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Frederick Davis, MA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040 / ccs.titleix@ccs.spokane.edu.