Adjunct Faculty, Adult Basic Education (ABE) Instructor

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

About Our Community

Whatcoms campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, youll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, youll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://www.bellingham.org

General Description of Work

Position Title: Adjunct Faculty, Adult Basic Education (ABE) Instructor

Classification: Faculty

FTE: Varies

Schedule: Flexible - 80 hours per quarter: fall 2026, winter 2027 and spring 2027

FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt

Teaching Modality: In-Person in the Whatcom County Jail

Job Summary

The Adjunct Faculty, Adult Basic Education (ABE), will teach within the Transitional Learning program beginning fall quarter 2026. This position requires scheduling flexibility, creativity, strong listening skills, the ability to individualize instruction, and the ability to coordinate with jail personnel.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• This Adjunct Faculty position reports to the Dean for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Develop, prepare, and deliver personalized instruction to incarcerated population.

• Collaborate and communicate effectively with college and jail administrators to support program development and continuous improvement.

• Apply current subject matter expertise and remain up to date in the field to ensure relevant, workforce aligned curriculum.

• Uses student centered, inclusive, and innovative teaching practices to support diverse learners.

• Assess student learning and provide feedback.

• Respond to student emails and requests in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to adapt lessons as appropriate to the individual learners.
• Ability to assess situations and needs of both inmates and jail staff to best deliver instruction.
• Ability to flex schedule as necessary to best serve incarcerated students (evening hours are generally best).
• Ability to express compassion and caring while setting clear expectations and boundaries.
• Knowledge of best practices for adult learners.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is completed primarily in the locations provided by the Whatcom County Jail. Position may use tablets and learning programs provided by the jail. Position may teach small groups in secured dedicated jail classroom and/or meet students individually in secured meeting spaces.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters degree in Adult Education or a closely related field.

• Teaching experience using a student-centered approach to teaching and learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing students to complete tests to earn a GED diploma.

• Experience teaching multi-level classes.

• Evidence of proficiency utilizing multiple instructional strategies.

• Experience working collaboratively to meet state or federal reporting requirements.

• Evidence of willingness to participate in continuing professional and program development.

• Evidence of commitment to diverse populations, and the incarcerated population in particular.

• Experience with curriculum and course development.

Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review.

Salary

Salary:

• $9,371.00 for fall quarter 2026, paid by the Whatcom County Jail.

Benefit:

• Accrues a percentage of 7 hours (equal to the percentage of workload) per month of sick leave (ex. 50% quarterly employment contract x 7 hrs for full-time = 3.5 hrs per month for that quarter).

Start Date:

• Fall quarter 2026. Quarter begins on September 22nd, 2026.

Application Due Date:

• For best consideration, applications packets should be received as soon as possible. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Letter of application detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.

• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals, and the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

• Current resume.

• Unofficial Transcripts for all earned degrees; official transcripts required prior to the official start date.

• List of five recent professional references with contact information.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: hr@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleIX@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: 360.383.3139, email: ADS@whatcom.edu, or Washington Relay: 711