Full-Time Physics Instructor

West-Valley--mission-Community-College-Distric; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-contributed benefits

Union-affiliated position

Professional development

Job summary

West Valley College invites applications for a full-time Physics/Physical Science Instructor. The position is a 10-month, tenure-track role beginning in Spring 2027, with instructional assignments in physics and physical science, plus office hours and department duties.

The successful candidate will support hands-on learning, equity, and student success across a diverse student population. Assignment locations include West Valley College in Saratoga, CA and Mission College in Santa Clara, CA.

Qualifications

• Master’s in physics or related field is required or equivalent.
• Credential or equivalent experience in physics instruction.
• Commitment to equity and student success in diverse settings.

Responsibilities

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in physics and physical science.
• Hold office hours and participate in department duties.
• Serve on college committees and support SLO assessment.
• Maintain currency in subject matter and course delivery.

Education

Master’s in physics, astronomy or astrophysics

Bachelor’s in physics or astronomy AND Master’s in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics

California Community College Instructor’s Credential in Physics

The equivalent of the above

Job description

Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Full-Time Physics Instructor

How many positions are you recruiting for?

How many positions are you recruiting for? 1

Campus

Campus West Valley College

Position Summary Information

Definition

[ INTERNAL VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY ] 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: The Department of Physical Sciences is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Physics/Physical Science Instructor.

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.

Under the direction of the Dean of Science/Math and the Physical Sciences Department Chair, the Physics/Physical Science Instructor will teach lecture and lab courses in physics and/or physical science, hold office hours, participate in department duties, and serve on college committees. The Department believes in "hands-on" learning experience through laboratory courses to complement lecture sessions. We have a strong commitment to our program and our students.

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 Physics faculty. It is expected that over several semesters, all levels of Physics 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 or Mission College, Santa Clara, CA

Salary and Benefits

• $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

• 1.Education – Possess one of the following:
  1. Master’s in physics, astronomy or astrophysics; OR
  2. Bachelor’s in physics or astronomy AND Master’s in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics; OR
  3. A valid California Community College Instructor’s Credential in Physics; OR
  4. The equivalent of the above;

2.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 Qualifications

• Advanced education beyond the minimum required and possession of an excellent academic record that indicates a strong background in physics and/or physical science.
• Commitment to maintaining a current knowledge of recent developments in physics and physical science.
• Experience teaching lecture and laboratory courses in undergraduate physics courses.
• Experience using laboratory equipment in a community college or other college setting.
• Experience or interest in web enhancing and/or teaching online courses and ability to use technology.
• Commitment to execute extracurricular responsibilities within the Department and College.
• Commitment to a career in a diverse, student-centered Department and College.
• Ability to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, including those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
• Experience with best practices in tutoring and teaching related to student success and equity.
• Ability to teach introductory math courses.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various academic departments and service areas at the College.

Knowledge and Abilities

N/A

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional duties and assignments may consist of one or more of the following:

• 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.

Working Conditions

Other Duties

Physical Demands

ABOUT TRANSCRIPTS :

• If a minimum requirement is possession of a degree, then a copy of transcripts is required to be included with your application to verify the degree