Full-Time Ethnic Studies Instructor

West Valley-Mission Community College District; Town of Saratoga (NY); On-site; USD 97,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-contributed medical, dental,

Vision coverage

Long-term disability

Sabbatical leaves

Banked leave

Professional growth opportunities

Retirement plan

Job summary

West Valley College, part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District, is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Ethnic Studies instructor to begin Spring 2027. The position involves teaching Ethnic Studies courses, engaging diverse student communities, and contributing to equity-focused student outcomes.

The role is 10 months, with assignments possibly including day/evening classes, and is represented by the WVM Federation of Teachers.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching Ethnic Studies courses.
• Ability to work with diverse student populations.
• Commitment to culturally sustaining pedagogies.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction for assigned Ethnic Studies courses with appropriate SLO assessment.
• Maintain accurate records and submit required reports.
• Post and maintain course syllabi and office hours; support distance education as needed.
• Refer students to college resources and advise on degree requirements.
• Participate in program and district initiatives to promote equity and student success.

Skills

Diversity & inclusion

Student engagement

Curriculum development

Education

Master’s in Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies credential OR equivalency

Job description

Full-Time Ethnic Studies Instructor

Closing Date: 11/18/2026

Definition

Tenured faculty may request a voluntary transfer to an open, full-time faculty position. A voluntary transfer is the reassignment of a current tenured faculty employee from the department where presently assigned to fill a full-time vacancy in which the member meets the minimum qualifications or equivalencies. The vacancy may be in another department at the same college, or in any department at the other college. See WVMFT Article 23.4 for more information. This notice serves to inform full-time faculty employees of an upcoming position opening.

Internal applicants who are eligible for the voluntary transfer opportunity will receive first-consideration for interview prior to non-eligible applicants.

This transfer opportunity period is open ONLY for 10 business days so as to allow eligible, current tenured faculty employees an opportunity to request a voluntary transfer, if interested. The deadline to apply is November 5, 2026. Applications that meet eligibility for a voluntary transfer but are received after this deadline will not be considered for a voluntary transfer opportunity but will still be considered along with all other applications.

ATTENTION ALL APPLICANTS:

West Valley College is now accepting applications for a full-time, tenure-track instructor position in Ethnic Studies Department, requiring the ability to teach courses from Ethnic Studies. We are currently seeking applicants who have successful experience and a genuine interest in working with under-represented groups.

West Valley College is part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, West Valley College enrolls over 15,000 students annually and is minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley in a beautiful park-like setting on 143 wooded acres. The student population represents diverse communities from the cities of Saratoga, Campbell, and Los Gatos. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research webpage.

The college is ranked number one in transfer in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area and number one in California out of 116 community colleges. The college is known for high quality academic and career education programs supported by talented faculty and dedicated classified professionals who bring an equity-minded approach to student success. Most recently West Valley College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 200 U.S. community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for community College Excellence. WVC inspires students to create a future for themselves so they can contribute to a world in need of their talents, drive, and enthusiasm. Centered on innovation, excellence, belonging, and inclusivity, the college was honored to receive the 2025-2028 FamilyU Seal for its service to parenting students.

As a campus community, West Valley is committed to addressing inequities and injustices, both societal and institutional, and so recognizes that institutions of higher education have colluded, harmed, and remained complacent in upholding aspects of white supremacy, ableism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression. The West Valley College community is committed to long-term equity, social justice, and racial justice work which will transform individuals, the institution, and the greater community. As a collective community, we embrace accountability and will act with courage, grace, and humility in fulfilling our commitment to learning and unlearning.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a culturally diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

Assignment

This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track faculty position that begins in Spring 2027. Instructional assignments may include day and/or evening classes, Monday through Saturday, as needed and rotate among the Ethnic Studies faculty. It is expected that over several semesters all levels of Ethnic Studies offered at the college will be taught. This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers (WVMFT / AFT Local 6554).

Work location

West Valley College, Saratoga, CA

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range

• $97,318 - $157,048 annually (10 months), based upon academic achievement, teaching and related experience (Academic Salary Schedule, Steps 1-9).

Benefits include

• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and dependents.
• Employer paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• Sabbatical, Rejuvenation and Retraining Leaves.
• Banked leave provisions.
• Professional Growth and Development activities.
• 10 days sick leave accrued annually; personal necessity and catastrophic leave.
• Conference leaves.
• Opportunity for overload assignments.
• Cal STRS Retirement.
• Position is union affiliated.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education - Possess one of the following:
• Master's in African-American/Black/Africana Studies or Latino Studies, La Raza Studies, Chicana/o Studies, or Asian-American Studies, or Native American/ American Indian Studies; OR
• Master's in Ethnic Studies; OR
• A valid California Community College Instructor's Credential in Ethnic Studies; OR
• The equivalent of the above.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

Desired Qualification

• Commitment to culturally sustaining pedagogies.
• Strong commitment to student-centered learning.
• Experience, skills, or ability teaching Ethnic Studies courses using a wide variety of instructional strategies, and in a distance education environment, preferably at the community college level.
• Commitment to on-going professional growth and development, dedication to fostering a positive work and classroom environment, and continued innovation and improvement of Ethnic Studies teaching.
• Emphasis in African American, Latino/a, Asian American, and/or Native American Studies in addition to general ethnic studies.
• Development of a classroom environment that recognizes and honors all marginalized, racialized student populations and their communities in the committed pursuit of social justice and greater student equity.

Knowledge and Abilities

N/A

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide instruction for assigned courses. This includes preparation, in-class activities, evaluation of students' work, consultation with students outside of class (scheduling time beyond normal office hours if necessary), ensuring regular effective student contact for Distance Education courses, maintenance of currency in the subjects taught and other efforts related to the teaching of the assigned classes, and participate in the process of SLO assessment and evaluation and use the results of these assessments in the process of continuously improving student learning.
• Maintain accurate class and other records.
• Submit, when due, all necessary reports, such as attendance, grade reports, rosters, class and office schedules.
• File a syllabus for each course with the appropriate division offices.
• Post and maintain office hours each week.
• Provide each student with a current course syllabus as required by Title 5, which includes SLOs, classroom procedures, requirements and grading policies and provide a copy to the Division Office.
• Refer students to appropriate college resources.
• Assist students by providing advice on requirements for successful achievement in the members' area of expertise.
• Assume institutional responsibilities, essential to the ongoing operation and effective achievement of department, division, college and district programs.

EEO STATEMENT

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.