Communications & Journalism Faculty (Tenure Track)
HIGHLINE COLLEGE
Des Moines, WA
Posting will remain open until filled. Priority screening for application received by March 8, 2026.
Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and many other Coast Salish tribes.
HC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. HC faculty value self-reflective practice and continued professional growth. We strive to cultivate a welcoming and supportive learning environment for our diverse students, including a significant number of students who transition from our very large non-credit ESL program to credit-bearing certificate and degree programs. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.
Highline prioritizes access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values. We are proud Highline strives to improve access to Education for our student community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering an equal opportunity focused workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Highline offers a unique variety of affinity groups for which all faculty are welcome to join.
We honor and value the dignity of all individuals and encourage all qualified individuals of all cultural backgrounds to apply.
Highline College offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement Systems. Additionally, we offer ample paid time off, as well as hybrid work and we value work-life balance.
Highline College is a comprehensive community college providing certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, and Adult Basic Education
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Communication & Journalism Department is a collaborative group of faculty, who focus on best practices in teaching and learning. The Communication & Journalism Department is an influential department offering a range of courses for students who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communication or Journalism at a transfer institution, as well as students in professional/technical programs. The types of classes offered include introduction to communication, public speaking, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, news writing, and mass media, as well as 300 level general education courses for Highline’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees including Presentation Skills and Organizational Communication. The department runs the school paper, the Thunderword, the Public Speaking Center, and the school’s radio station.This position is expected to begin in Fall Quarter, September2026.
HC Communication & Journalism faculty teach an equivalent of 15 credits per quarter, advise students, and participate in College service.Essential Tasks
- Professional Responsibilities
Please address the following responsibilities in your cover letter. If you don’t have experience in an academic setting, please address them within the context of your professional experience:
Teaching: Create a welcoming and supportive learning environment and use evidence-based practices to improve the success of all students; in collaboration with colleagues, identify and implement strategies designed to close educational gaps experienced by all students. Engage in self-reflective practice. Full-time faculty typically teach the equivalent of 15 credits per quarter;
Advising/ Coaching/ Mentoring: Work with students outside of class to help them choose courses and get connected with campus and community resources. Participate in professional learning opportunities focused on culturally responsive advising and establishing relationships with students;
Collaborate with colleagues/participate in shared governance: In collaboration with colleagues, engage in continuous improvement through college-wide assessment processes. Participate in department, division, and other College activities, including College governance. Establish and maintain respectful, ethical, and professional relationships with students and colleagues;
Professional development/ ongoing professional learning: Engage in ongoing professional learning. This includes remaining current in your discipline and evidence-based practices for culturally response, inclusive, and anti-racist pedagogies.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree (or higher) in Communication, Journalism, Mass Media or closely related field from an institution with regional accreditation or its international equivalent (pending degrees must be verified by a letter from the granting institution). This can include a Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA), Education; AND
Experience teaching communication courses at a 2-year college.
Pending degrees must be verified by a letter from the granting institution validating that the degree will be completed prior to September 2026.
Desired Qualifications:
- Education or Professional experience in Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Introduction to Communication, Mass Media, Journalism or Journalism related classes (print media, online news, social media, podcasting);
- Academic training or experience in assessment and curriculum design;
- Demonstrated experience working with students from a diversity of backgrounds.
Supplemental Information
SALARY, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Salary and Benefits:
Initial annual salary placement ranges from $81,992-$96,539 based on current contract for a standard 170-day contract. The College has a negotiated faculty wage scale. Placement on the salary scale in accordance with the HC-Highline College Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.
A standard 170-day contract is written annually for the period of September to June. Late contracts will be prorated on the basis of work days remaining in the contract year. This position is exempt from the overtime pay requirements of The Fair Labor Standards Act.
This is a union represented position subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Salary, retirement, medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, the candidate must complete a sexual misconduct declaration form and pass a sexual misconduct check.
If hired you will be required to provide proof that you are either 1) a U.S. citizen, or 2) an immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country.
Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.
Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position, applicants must include the following items in their application package:
- Cover Letter: Letter of formal application that addresses how your experience and education qualify you to perform the professional responsibilities listed above
- Supplemental Question: Highline College is committed to improving the success of all students and closing gaps. We believe that critical self-reflection is a key element in this process. Please attach a statement (approximately 500 to 700 words) describing how you have integrated elements of equal opportunity teaching methods into your professional practice. Effective responses will demonstrate awareness of your positionality as an instructor, knowledge of students or others with whom you've worked, and examples of strategies you have used.
Curriculum Vitae: Detailed curriculum vitae (resume) of all relevant educational and professional experience, including a listing of courses taught. Be sure your resume demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications.
Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts that include degree received and confer date. International transcripts MUST include a foreign transcript evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service: https://www.naces.org/members. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your application;
References: A list of four current professional references with name, relationship to candidate, address, email address, and telephone number. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of a list of professional references. References should not include immediate family members.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highline
NEED APPLICATION HELP?
Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524-5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time.
HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Highline College is an equal-opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects all cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.
TITLE IX POLICY
Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).
The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or DSlota@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, President’s Office
For accessibility needs, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or MLawson@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.
The Vice President of Human Resources, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or MLawson@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting hrstaff@highline.edu.