Biological Sciences Instructor (Initial Focus: Microbiology) Temporary Non-Tenure Track

Ventura County Community College District; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid holidays and academic breaks

Full-time faculty benefits

Job summary

Ventura County Community College District seeks an Instructor to provide comprehensive classroom instruction in biology to students from diverse backgrounds.

Under the supervision of a dean, you will deliver lectures and labs, advise on study pathways, and maintain records to support student success within a 10‑month faculty calendar. Competitive benefits accompany the role.

Qualifications

• Master’s in any biological science or a Bachelor's in biology with Master’s in biochemistry/biophysics/marine science or equivalent.
• Equivalent qualifications may be considered through the district’s equivalency process.
• California Community College Credential may satisfy minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction via lecture, lab, or performance courses to diverse students.
• Advise students on study programs and available support services.
• Assess student performance and provide timely feedback.
• Maintain accurate course records and progress data.

Skills

Lecture delivery

Student advising

Assessment & feedback

Curriculum planning

Education

Master’s in biological science

Bachelor’s in biological science + Master’s in biochemistry/biophysics/marine science

California Community College Credential

Job description

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Under the general direction of a dean, an Instructor provides comprehensive classroom instruction to students from diverse backgrounds for the purpose of facilitating the attainment of their academic or vocational objectives.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

Established in 1925, Ventura College was one of the first community colleges in California and currently has an enrollment of 14,500 students. Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara, the 112‑acre campus is set in the rolling hills of Ventura – so close to the ocean that there is a clear view of the Channel Islands from several spots on campus.

Who We Are

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is a public community college district serving residents throughout Ventura County. VCCCD's three colleges – Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College – offer programs for transfer to four‑year colleges and universities; career technical training, basic skills instruction; as well as community service, economic development, and continuing education for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement.

The Ventura County Community College District recognizes that a diverse community of faculty, staff, and administrators promotes academic excellence and creates an inclusive educational and work environment for its employees, contractors, students, and the community it serves. With the understanding that a diverse community fosters multi‑cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides role models for all students, VCCCD is committed to recruiting and employing a diverse and qualified group of administrators, faculty, and staff members who are dedicated to the success of all college students.

The Ventura County Community College District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, political beliefs, age, gender, sex, religion, transgender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, and/or physical or mental disability.

Representative Duties

• Provide academic instruction to students through lecture, lab, or performance courses; assess and develop cognitive abilities, communication skills, and higher order thinking skills among students through appropriate assignments and activities in one‑on‑one, classroom, and distance mediated instructional settings.
• Advise and instruct students regarding programs of study, other institutions of higher education, lifelong learning resources, and effective study skills; refer students to support services, programs, resources, and other professionals as appropriate.
• Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments, projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback in a timely manner to student inquiries in class, online, or during established consultation office hours.
• Plan and organize instruction according to approved course outlines and student learning outcomes to maximize student learning in alignment with department, college, and district goals; implement the student performance objectives as listed on the official course outline of record.
• Maintain current, accurate records of course enrollment, attendance, student academic progress, course curriculum, and student learning outcomes; prepare and submit data and reports related to course and student progress in a timely manner.
• Evaluate and select instructional materials such as textbooks, manuals, software, and tools in collaboration, as appropriate, with discipline faculty; order instructional materials according to campus bookstore procedure to ensure timely delivery.
• Participate in curriculum and program development; update syllabi; collaborate with discipline faculty on a regular basis to assess and revise measurable student performance indicators for each course; may provide input into the development of student learning outcomes.
• Revise and update course content and materials of instruction in accordance with new theory, application, and industry developments within the discipline or area of specialization.
• Attend and participate on committees and in department, division, campus, and district meetings; may participate in articulation and matriculation related activities.
• May provide work direction to others.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess the minimum qualifications for the discipline as approved by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and defined in the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook.

Master’s in any biological science OR Bachelor’s in any biological science AND Master’s in biochemistry, biophysics, or marine science OR the equivalent*; OR Possession of an appropriate California Community College Credential.

Degrees that qualify for a degree in a biological science:

• Anatomy (and any derivative or type thereof, including but not limited to anatomical sciences, etc.); Animal Behavior; Bacteriology; Biology (and any derivative or type thereof, including but not limited to biological sciences, cellular biology, behavioral biology, developmental biology, environmental biology, wildlife biology, etc.); Biomedical Sciences; Bio‑sciences (and types thereof, including but not limited to biotechnology, molecular biosciences, etc.); Botany (and any derivative or type thereof, including but not limited to botanical sciences); DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine); Ecology (and any derivative or type thereof); Embryology; Endocrinology; Evolution; Genetics (and any type thereof, including but not limited to molecular genetics); Immunology; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Neurobiology (and derivatives of “neuro,” including but not limited to neuroscience, neurology, etc.); Organismal Biology (and any type thereof, including but not limited to araenology, entomology, herpetology, ichthyology, mammology, mellicology, mycology, nematology, ornithology, parasitology, primatology, etc.); Pathology; Physiology (and any derivative or type thereof, including but not limited to physiological science, molecular physiology, cellular physiology, etc.); Virology; Zoology (and any derivative or type thereof, including but not limited to zoological sciences, vertebrate zoology, invertebrate zoology, etc.)

EQUIVALENCY

• The Ventura County Community College District, in its desire to select outstanding faculty members from the largest possible pool of qualified applicants, recognizes the fact that candidates may attain expertise in a discipline through a variety of means. Certain combinations of education, experience and other accomplishments in the field may be judged by the District as equal to the stated minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates whose transcripts do not list the title of their degree exactly as listed above, but feel they possess such equivalent qualifications are encouraged to complete and submit the Supplemental Questionnaire for Equivalency (Download PDF reader) with their application for review by the Districtwide Equivalency Committee.

Example

Minimum Qualifications state: “Master’s degree in agriculture”.

Candidate’s transcripts state: “Master’s degree in agricultural science”.

Since the degree on the candidate’s transcripts in the example do not EXACTLY MATCH the degree listed in the minimum qualifications section, this candidate MUST complete the Supplemental Questionnaire for Equivalency in order to be considered (Download PDF reader). When completing the form, be sure to explain in detail how your qualifications are equivalent to the required minimum qualifications. Do not assume that you do not need to submit a Supplemental Questionnaire for Equivalency because your degree is similar to a degree stated in the minimum qualifications. Degree titles that are not an exact match will not be considered outside of the equivalency process.

SELECTION PROCESS

A screening committee will review and screen all applications and associated materials. The candidates deemed most qualified for the position will be invited to an interview. When completing the application and the supplemental questions, it is important to outline in detail your education, training (classes, seminars, workshops), and experience. You will be evaluated based upon the information provided.

PAY PHILOSOPHY

Annual salary is based on a ten month contract. Salary is commensurate with academic preparation and experience for placement on the salary schedule. Maximum advanced salary placement credit for prior experience is 7 steps in column I on the fulltime academic salary schedule. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents.

SALARY RANGE

$61,599 to $83,153

ACCOMMODATIONS

Individuals who are invited to participate in the interview process who require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, must notify the Ventura County Community College District Human Resources Department in writing at least two business days prior to the interview. Those applicants needing such accommodations should document this request in an email to [e-mail] and include an explanation as to the type and extent of accommodation needed to participate in the selection process.

Full‑Time Faculty Benefits

Paid Holidays and Academic Breaks: Full‑time contract faculty work under a negotiated 175‑day academic calendar that includes District holidays, academic recess periods, and designated professional development (flex) days. The academic calendar includes seven flex days, including one mandatory fall orientation day and six self‑assigned professional development days.

Health Benefits: The District contributes up to the full premium cost of the PPO 90C or Kaiser HMO plan (whichever is higher) toward eligible medical coverage for full‑time contract faculty employees and their eligible dependents. Dental, vision, and group term life insurance benefits for eligible full‑time contract faculty employees and their eligible dependents are also District provided.

Benefit providers available to eligible full‑time contract faculty employees include:

• Medical: Anthem Blue Cross HMO and PPO Medical Plans, Kaiser Permanente HMO Medical Plans, and WABE (for eligible new hires)
• Dental: Delta Dental DHMO or PPO Plus Premium
• Vision: EyeMed PPO Vision Plan

Retirement: Faculty retirement benefits are provided through applicable California public retirement systems, including CalSTRS.

Paid Sick Leave: Full‑time faculty members earn one (1) day of paid sick leave for each full academic month of paid contract service. Unused sick leave accumulates from year to year, subject to applicable exceptions.

Additional Leave Benefits: Faculty members may be eligible for bereavement leave, parental leave, jury duty leave, personal necessity leave, sabbatical leave, conference leave, and other negotiated leave benefits in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Learn More: For a full overview of employee benefits, visit the District's Benefits page: https://www.vcccd.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits.