Instructor, American Sign Language (FT)

PCC Portland Community College; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 74,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition waiver

Paid leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

Portland Community College (PCC) in Oregon seeks instructors for American Sign Language with native or near-native fluency. Courses are primarily in-person on PCC’s four campuses, with some online sections.

Candidates will teach roughly 45 course credits per year, assess and advise students, and communicate effectively in ASL and written English. Successful applicants will support both full-time and part-time faculty, participate in committees, and contribute to program development aligned with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with three years of experience teaching American Sign Language.
• Native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language.
• Ability to teach in the ASL-English Interpreting Program as needed.

Responsibilities

• Teach approximately 45 course credits per year (quarter system).
• Assess and advise students.
• Communicate effectively through ASL and written English.
• Support full-time and part-time faculty; participate in committees.

Skills

ASL fluency

Teaching experience

Written English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field

Master’s degree in ASL or related field (preferred)

Job description

Join our Team at Portland Community College. Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. With four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area, our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community. Please note: PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington. Employment offers are contingent upon the ability to establish residence in Oregon or Washington. Portland Community College will also ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail].

Our Program and Who We Are Looking For

Our instructors incorporate foundational approaches to teaching culture, language, and interpreting courses. ASL is the primary language of instruction from the first day of class, striving for 90%+ use during class time. Our classes are taught primarily in-person, with a handful of classes offered online with scheduled meetings.

Successful candidates can expect to: Teach approximately 45 course credits per year (on PCC’s quarter system); Assess, and advise students; Communicate effectively through ASL and written English; Support full-time and part-time faculty members; Participate in department, pathway, and college-wide committees.

ASL faculty are committed to developing professionally, contributing to the continuous improvement of the programs and the college community, and engaging with community stakeholders. This includes staying abreast of innovations in the ASL and ASL-English Interpreting fields, and equitable student success. They apply this expertise to improving existing courses, developing new courses, and ensuring the programs align with college curricular standards and practices.

Instructor Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited institution and three years of experience teaching American Sign Language.
• Demonstrate native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language.

Success Criteria

The success criteria and instructor qualifications noted below are critical for success in this position. Throughout the screening process, you will be evaluated based on the demonstration of these qualifications. Provide culturally responsive instruction, advising, and assessment that fosters an equitable, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for ASL students. Demonstrate awareness of structural inequities and changing community needs by critically reflecting on pedagogy, empowering students to navigate institutional barriers, and adapting teaching practices to support diverse learners. Ability to assess the ASL skills of students in both the ASL and ASL-English Interpreting programs. Willingness to teach in the ASL-English Interpreting Program as a fluent ASL signer/Deaf consumer, when the opportunity arises. Ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative environment, support part-time faculty, and engage with community stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or above from an accredited institution in American Sign Language or related field.
• Possess certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) – Certified Level Native signer with lived experience as a Deaf consumer.
• Experience teaching ASL or interpretation, or experience working or volunteering as a Deaf Interpreter.

The tentative timeline for recruitment of this position is: November: review of applications; December 2026-January 2027: remote video interviews; February 2027: finalists invited to campus for in-person interviews; February 2027: position offered.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

As part of our College community, you’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inspiring campus community.
• Opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority.

We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Total Rewards Package / What We Offer

Comprehensive benefit package designed to provide employees and their families, including domestic partners, with access to a broad range of benefit options. Includes Health, Dental, and Vision options, Group Life, Long-term Disability, Long-term Care, and Auto and Home Insurance programs. Oregon PERS contribution – PCC currently fully funds the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP) pension and contributes an additional 6% into the employee's Individual Account Program under PERS/OPSRP Tax deferred annuity program and a deferred compensation program where employees may save additional pre-tax dollars for retirement. PCC provides a tuition waiver for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 24 years of age, as well as partial tuition reimbursement for full-time employees at other accredited institutions. Free access to the sport centers / campus gymnasiums, performing arts, and cultural events. Generous Paid Leave – as determined by our collective bargaining agreement (Pro-rated by FTE for Part-Time Employees) – Faculty and Academic Professional Agreement Paid Leave: One day of sick leave for every 18 days worked (~10 days per year). Four paid holidays (which occur during the terms you are teaching). PCC Winter Break (when College is closed). 21 hours of personal leave per year. More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at pcc.edu/hr/benefits. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions.

How We Determine Initial Salary Placement

Initial Salary Placement will be between Step 1 ($73,911) and Step 3 ($78,408) based on related experience, per PCC's collective bargaining agreement. Placement at a higher step may be possible based upon additional experience and internal equity. The highest step of the range is Step 17, ($118,558). Please review the salary schedule here.

Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment Portland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment.

Please note that Portland Community College is not currently able to provide visa (e.g. H1-B Visa) sponsorship for potential employees. Contact PCC at [e-mail] if you have questions.

Employment Eligibility & Background Checking

PCC Employment Offers are contingent upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a workforce which reflects all aspects of the rich diversity of our student body.

We are an equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.

Portland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. Verification of eligibility is required during the application process.

PCC is seeking talented, hard-working individuals to join our growing team. We value collaboration, community, creativity, leadership and inclusion. As a PCC team member, you will join a dynamic group of more than 2,000 employees who believe that education is the path to a brighter future. As Oregon’s largest post-secondary institution, no single educational resource is more vital to our region than Portland Community College. We serve nearly 80,000 individual learners each year, creating educational possibilities for every student who wants to learn.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), you may view Portland Community College’s (PCC) most recent Annual Security Report (ASR) on the Department of Public Safety website. The ASR contains current security and safety-related policy disclosure statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and resources, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains crime statistics for Clery Act crimes which occurred on PCC properties for the last three calendar years. Paper copies of the ASR are available upon request at all Department of Public Safety offices.