(JR-2224) Instructor, American Sign Language (FT)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

PERS pension contribution

Tuition waiver for employee and family

Gym/campus facilities access

Paid leave

Job summary

Portland Community College is seeking instructors for American Sign Language with native or near-native fluency. Classes are conducted primarily in‑person, with some online sections.

Successful candidates will teach ASL courses, advise students, and participate in committees. A strong commitment to equity and inclusive teaching practices is essential, with opportunities to work across department and college initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution and three years of experience teaching American Sign Language
• Native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language
• Master’s degree or higher in ASL or related field (preferred) or ASLTA certification (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive instruction, advising, and assessment that fosters an equitable, inclusive learning environment for ASL students
• Demonstrate awareness of structural inequities and adapt pedagogy to support diverse learners
• Assess ASL skills of students in ASL and ASL-English Interpreting programs
• Willingness to teach in the ASL-English Interpreting Program as a fluent ASL signer/Deaf consumer when needed
• Communicate effectively in a collaborative environment and engage with part-time faculty and community stakeholders

Skills

Culturally responsive instruction

Equity and inclusion awareness

Assess ASL skills (ASL/Interpreting)

Collaborative communication

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Master’s degree or higher (preferred)

ASLTA – Certified Level (preferred)

Job description

Join our Team at Portland Community College

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].

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.

Our Program and Who We Are Looking For

Apply by October 31, 2026

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. The ASL and ASL‑English Interpreting Programs are within PCC's Arts, Humanities, Communication, and Design (AHCD) Pathway.

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. In your application materials, please clearly address your experience with the following Success Criteria, Minimum and Preferred Instructor 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

Learn more about our programs here: ASL (American Sign Language) and ASL/English Interpreting. You may indicate the current PCC courses which you would be able to teach.

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

There is never a dull moment at PCC. We offer more than just a competitive salary. When you join our team at PCC you’ll also enjoy:

• 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)

Paid Leave:

• 1 day of sick leave for every 18 days worked (~10 days per year)
• 4 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.

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. You will be given instructions during the application process to claim Veterans' Preference in the recruitment of this position, and to provide the documents required for verification of eligibility. Please do not send your documentation to the hiring manager directly. For verification of eligibility, please submit the following documentation:

• Veterans: DD214
• Disabled Veterans: DD214 and Letter from the Department of VA

Notice of the Availability of the Annual Security Report

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.

PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check

PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Contact PCC at [e-mail]

[e-mail]