Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

Contra Costa Community College District

  • Pleasant Hill, CA
  • 2 days ago
  • $68,136–$112,848 Per Year

Highlights

Demonstrated commitment to student learning and to the success of all students in the open-access learning environment of a community college; Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and culturally-informed teaching practices; Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to reducing equity gaps college-wide as well as in biology courses; Experience developing effective approaches for teaching in both lecture and laboratory; Master's degree (MA or MS) or Doctoral degree (PhD) in any biological science; Demonstrated excellence in academic preparation and knowledge in Cellular and Molecular Biology and/or Human Biology; Demonstrated excellence in teaching Cellular and Molecular Biology and/or Human Biology; Effective written and oral communication skills; A commitment and ability to work within the department, division, and college community to achieve the goals outlined in the Educational Strategic Plan, which focuses on advancing equity in student goal completion by increasing holistic support and eliminating barriers to success. As an example: Cellular and Molecular Biology: BIOL 130: Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Diablo Valley College, IOR, Fall 2025 (IP), Spring 2025 (IP), Fall 2024 (IP) Human Biology: BIOL 117: Human Biology with Lab, Diablo Valley College, IOR Spring 2023 (IP), Fall 2022 (HY), BIOL 116: Human Biology, Diablo Valley College, IOR, Spring 2022 (IP).

Numbers & Facts

LocationPleasant Hill, CA
Salary$68,136–$112,848 Per Year

Description

Posting Details

Posting Details (Default Section)

Position Title Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Special Instructions to Applicants

Diablo Valley College welcomes all learners, enhances the community, and advances equity through high-quality education and support services that empower students to achieve their goals. DVC instructors use pedagogies that close equity gaps by fostering success among all students. To help further this work, DVC seeks a full-time tenure-track assistant professor of Biology to begin August 2020. The successful applicant will be well-qualified to teach BIOL-130 Cellular and Molecular Biology and BIOL-116/117 Human Biology, including lectures and laboratories and will demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic backgrounds, and abilities of community college students.

Recruitment Timeline:

1) Initial review of applications will occur January 2027.

2) Selected applicants will be contacted in February 2027 to schedule an interview. Interviews will take place in-person in February 2027.

3) If selected, classroom teaching demonstrations will occur the same week as the initial interview.

3) Final interviews will be held Early March 2027.

Applicants will be responsible for travel expenses. The college nor the District reimburses for travel expenses.

To support our students and campus community, faculty in this position are expected to work on campus.

No candidate for a full-time position shall be recommended as a finalist to the President without meeting the minimum qualifications or having been verified as meeting the equivalency. The disciplines listed in the minimum qualifications are determined by the statewide Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. A Doctoral degree (PhD) is considered to encompass a master's degree (MA or MS).

If you do not possess the exact degree listed in the minimum qualification section or if you have not finished your degree before submitting your application, you must fill out a Master's degree equivalency form and upload in the attachment section of the online employment application to be considered. All foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process.

Supplemental Questions:

The supplemental question section of this application is an opportunity for us to learn about your strengths and how your unique background, experiences, and skills will help to achieve the goals of the college and enhance our community. Please make sure to answer all parts of each supplemental question. In addition to information from your cover letter and resume/CV, your responses to the questions help us determine how you satisfy the desirable qualifications for this position. The information provided by your responses guides the decision on which individuals will be invited for an interview. Feel free to repeat information from a previous answer, cover letter, or resume if necessary to fully answer a question.

Description of Position

Diablo Valley College welcomes all learners, enhances the community, and advances equity through high-quality education and support services that empower students to achieve their goals. DVC instructors use pedagogies that close equity gaps by fostering success among all students. To help further this work, DVC seeks a full-time tenure-track assistant professor of Biology to begin August 2027. The successful applicant will be well-qualified to teach BIOL-130 Cellular and Molecular Biology and BIOL-116/117 Human Biology, including lectures and laboratories and will demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic backgrounds, and abilities of community college students.

Inquiries

Carol Trost (ctrost@dvc.edu)

Recruitment Type Faculty Location Diablo Valley College Posting Number F01370 # of Openings 1 Salary

Initial salary placement for full-time, tenure track positions is based on academic degree(s), upper/graduate level units earned, teaching experience and/or qualifying related professional occupation experience which ranges from $68,136 to $112,848 per year (Up to $132k).

Position Status Tenure- Track EEO Job Category Faculty & Other Instructional Staff Employee Group Full-Time Faculty Department D3530-Biological Sciences Discipline Biological sciences Alternate Discipline Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to contractual duties, all full-time faculty are expected to participate actively in their disciplines, department activities, and the general intellectual life and governance of the college. Part of the teaching assignment may be in the evening and/or online. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  1. advancing equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established course outlines;

  2. participating in the assessment of student learning outcomes for courses and programs; developing and implementing student learning outcomes assessment processes for courses and programs;

  3. collaborating in the development and revision of curriculum and in program review;

  4. engaging in department program improvement initiatives;

  5. participating in department, division, and college committees;

  6. participating in professional development activities, both departmental and college-wide;

  7. maintaining current knowledge in the subject matter area and effective teaching/ learning strategies;

  8. maintaining appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics;

  9. informing students of course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements;

  10. preparing and grading class assignments and examinations and informing students of their academic progress;

  11. maintaining attendance, scholastic, and personnel records and submitting them according to published deadlines;

  12. posting and holding sufficient and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy;

  13. participating in College's shared governance processes.

Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience

The applicant must possess one of the following qualifications (earned degrees must be from an accredited college/university):

Master's in any biological science

OR

Bachelor's in any biological science AND Master's in Biochemistry, Biophysics, or Marine Science

OR

A valid California Community College Instructor Credential authorizing full-time instruction in any biological science

OR

The equivalent.

If you do not possess the EXACT minimum qualifications (i.e., you do not possess the EXACT degree title listed) and believe that you meet the minimum qualifications, fill out the equivalency petition form in the document section of the online application. If you are unsure that you meet the minimum qualifications, please fill out the equivalency petition. The equivalency form can be downloaded here.

If your degree is not conferred by the time you submit your application, you must fill out an equivalency. All foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process.

License/Certificates/Credentials Desirable Qualifications

  1. Demonstrated commitment to student learning and to the success of all students in the open-access learning environment of a community college;

  2. Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and culturally-informed teaching practices;

  3. Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to reducing equity gaps college-wide as well as in biology courses;

  4. Experience developing effective approaches for teaching in both lecture and laboratory;

  5. Master's degree (MA or MS) or Doctoral degree (PhD) in any biological science;

  6. Demonstrated excellence in academic preparation and knowledge in Cellular and Molecular Biology and/or Human Biology;

  7. Demonstrated excellence in teaching Cellular and Molecular Biology and/or Human Biology;

  8. Effective written and oral communication skills;

  9. A commitment and ability to work within the department, division, and college community to achieve the goals outlined in the Educational Strategic Plan, which focuses on advancing equity in student goal completion by increasing holistic support and eliminating barriers to success.

Educational Strategic Plan: https://www.dvc.edu/about-dvc/college-plans/educational-strategic-plan

Job Open Date: 10/16/2026 Job Close Date: 01/04/2027 Open Until Filled No Employment Begins: Fall 2027 # of Months 10 Months Employee Benefits

Membership in State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)

District-paid benefits (employee contributes 6%) for employee and dependents/domestic partners include:

  • Medical (Anthem Blue Cross or Kaiser) insurance including chiropractic services
  • Dental and vision
  • Flexible spending (125) plan
  • Life and long-term disability insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Deferred compensation (403b and 457)
  • Sabbatical Leave

Additional Benefits: The District also offers eligible faculty employees, travel assistance plan, retiree benefits, and employee discounts on health memberships.

Newly hired employees may notify the respective union (Local 1 or United Faculty) if they opt to join and/or authorize payment to the union. If the newly hired employee authorizes payment to the union then the following fees apply: Local 1 has a one-time initiation fee of $45.00 and monthly contribution of 1% of gross pay +$1. United Faculty has an agency fee of .55% of gross pay plus $2.50.

How to Apply

  1. Interested applicants must submit all of the application materials online to be considered for this position. We do not accept hand-delivered, e-mailed, faxed or postal mailed application packets.

  2. It is your responsibility to ensure that all application materials are received on or before the closing date. Our application deadline time is 11:59pm on the specified closing date.

  3. You should submit an unofficial transcript for screening purposes. If you do not have electronic version of the transcript required for the position, you can have it scanned by a Staples, Office Max or Office Depot, etc. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload transcripts when completing our online application process. You should be prepared to provide an official transcripts prior to employment start date should the position be offered.

  4. If you do not possess the required educational degrees and are applying under the equivalency process, you bear the responsibility of submitting the District's Equivalency Application. Equivalency applications with supporting documentation should be submitted when 1) degrees are not in exact discipline required; 2) degree is in progress; 3) degrees were earned at a college or university outside of the United States. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload an equivalency form for evaluation by a college equivalency committee when completing our online application process.

  5. Applicants with foreign degrees must provide official certification of equivalency to United States degrees. An approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency must evaluate your course work. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload a foreign degree evaluation for review of by a college equivalency committee when completing our online application process. Please read more details in the Foreign Degree and Credit Statement section of the job announcement.

  6. Documents uploaded online must be the actual documents to be considered for review. Do not upload a "placeholder" document. Applications with placeholder documents are considered incomplete and will be rejected. Only upload the required documents, other materials can be presented if you are selected for an interview.

  7. All application materials become the property of the district and will not be returned or duplicated.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to ensure the applicant meets the minimum qualifications as stated in the job announcement.

  1. The applications, cover letters, answers to required supplemental questions, resumes, unofficial college transcripts, and other supporting materials submitted by all qualified applicants will be reviewed by a screening committee. Those who are deemed to possess the highest degree of desirable qualifications will be invited to the college at their own expense.

  2. During the campus visit, each applicant will be interviewed and may be asked to conduct a demonstration appropriate to the discipline. Selected interviewees may be invited to present an entire lecture in front of a class. Responses to the interview questions and demonstration will be rated by the interview committee.

  3. Based upon the overall rating, a small number of applicants will be invited at their own expense to the campus for an interview with the college president and vice president of instruction.

  4. After consultation with the interview committee, the college president will make the final recommendation for employment to the chancellor and the governing board of the Contra Costa Community College District.

  5. Upon hire, the successful candidate must meet the conditions of employment. Finalists must provide verification of transcripts. TB test, physical examination, fingerprinting/conviction clearance and proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Foreign Degree and Credit Statement

In accordance with the United Faculty Contract, Article 20.3.1.3.2, all foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process. Please upload your evaluation with your application when you apply for this position. We cannot accept foreign degree evaluations after the closing date

ADA Accommodations:

Request For Reasonable Accommodation

Medical Verification

Candidates with legally defined disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by notifying the Human Resources Department by the deadline date. Candidates will be required to supply documentation supporting the need for the accommodation when the request is made. Please complete the forms provided in the links above and email to

slever@4cd.edu

COVID-19 Information Quick Link https://www.4cdcareers.net/postings/12413 Diversity Statement

It is the District's policy to ensure that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of ethnic group identity, race, color, ancestry, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, citizenship or because an individual is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    • Our department values authentic scholarly voice, reflective teaching practices, and genuine engagement with our academic community. To uphold these principles, all application materials, including cover letters and answers to supplemental questions, are to be written entirely by the applicant. We rely on application materials to understand how candidates think, teach, and communicate in their own words. We recognize that AI tools are increasingly present in academic work, but for this search, we ask applicants to rely on their own experience, judgment, and voice so we can understand who you are as an educator and scientist. 1. Describe the way(s) in which you meet the minimum qualifications. Important Note: The disciplines listed in the minimum qualifications are determined by the statewide Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. If the title(s) of your degree major(s) listed on your unofficial transcripts or other documents from the degree-granting institutions are not an EXACT match to the degrees listed below, please submit an equivalency form. Without it, your application will not be considered. Using the information below, please indicate in your response the method where you meet minimum qualifications and cite the corresponding evidence such as degree(s) conferred, date of graduation and granting institution. If you do not possess minimum qualifications or if there is the slightest doubt about your degree's exact match, please submit a completed master's equivalency form with the application. A. I have a Master's degree (MA or MS) or Doctoral degree (PhD) in any biological science; B. I have a Bachelor's in any biological science AND a Master's degree (MA or MS) or Doctoral degree (PhD) in Biochemistry, Biophysics, or Marine Science; C. I have a valid California Community College Instructor Credential authorizing full-time instruction in biology D. I do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated above and/or I do not possess an EXACT match to the degrees listed above and have applied for equivalency. Please complete and upload the master's equivalency form in the attachment section of the application.

(Open Ended Question)

    • Why are you seeking a career teaching at a community college? What preparations and/or specific experiences, inside and/or outside the classroom illustrate your ability to effectively teach Cellular and Molecular Biology and Human Biology with laboratory and related courses at Diablo Valley College? (500 words maximum)

(Open Ended Question)

    • Please make a list of the courses you have taught at the college level. In each subject area indicated, list the course number and title, whether the course included laboratory, the institution where it was taught, whether you were a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Instructor of Record (IOR), Modality (In-Person (IP), Hybrid (HY) or Online (OL) and the term and year you taught each course. -Cellular and Molecular Biology, -Human Biology, -Other Pertinent Biology Courses. To help with formatting, please list course number and title, whether it was taught with or without laboratory, institution where taught, TA or IOR, Modality (IP, HY or OL), Term and Year. You may list multiple semesters for a single course. As an example: Cellular and Molecular Biology: BIOL 130: Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Diablo Valley College, IOR, Fall 2025 (IP), Spring 2025 (IP), Fall 2024 (IP) Human Biology: BIOL 117: Human Biology with Lab, Diablo Valley College, IOR Spring 2023 (IP), Fall 2022 (HY), BIOL 116: Human Biology, Diablo Valley College, IOR, Spring 2022 (IP). Other Pertinent Biology Courses: BIOL C1001: Introduction to Biology, Contra Costa College, IOR, Fall 2021 (OL), BIOL 218: Human Anatomy with Lab, Napa Valley College; IOR; Spring 2019 (IP).

(Open Ended Question)

    • Please make a list of the courses you have successfully completed in each of the following subject areas. For each course indicate the course title, units, level of the course (L = lower division, U = upper division, G = graduate course), Modality (IP, HY or OL) and grade earned: -Cellular and Molecular Biology, -Human Biology. -Other Pertinent Biology Courses, -Other Science Courses. To help with formatting, you may adopt a format similar to the example shown: Cellular and Molecular Biology with Lab, 5 units, L, IP, A- Advanced Genetics, 3 units, U, OL, B+.

(Open Ended Question)

    • How do you provide a meaningful educational experience in your classroom for students who have cultural backgrounds different from your own? (500 words maximum)

(Open Ended Question)

    • Diablo Valley College has an Educational Strategic Plan that defines Diablo Valley College's current goal, six strategic priorities and 19 related objectives. Please select one of the objectives that is focused outside of the classroom and discuss any experiences and/or ideas you have had that would help DVC achieve this objective. The ESP can be found at: https://www.dvc.edu/about-dvc/college-plans/educational-strategic-plan (500 words maximum)

(Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

Required Documents

  • Unofficial Transcript (must show degree(s) conferred)
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume/CV

Optional Documents

  • Application for Equivalency
  • Foreign Degree Evaluation Form (NACES Approved Agency)
  • Unofficial Transcript 2
  • Unofficial Transcript 3
  • Unofficial Transcript 4

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