Part-Time Biological Sciences Instructor (Pool)

San Mateo County Community College District; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 208,000; Part time

Job summary

San Mateo County Community College District seeks an adjunct biology faculty member to teach a range of biology courses across the curriculum. The role involves advising students during office and lab hours, updating course content, and contributing to curriculum development.

The ideal candidate will stay current with biology-related technologies, demonstrate commitment to equity and diverse learning needs, and participate in committee work as required by the college.

Qualifications

• Master's or higher in any biological science OR Bachelor's in any biological science AND Master's or higher in biochemistry, biophysics, or marine science OR the equivalent.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse student backgrounds and equity-minded practice.

Responsibilities

• Teach all courses offered in the biology curriculum.
• Assist in curriculum revisions and development of new courses.
• Consult with students during office and lab hours.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of technologies relevant to biology.
• Serve on division and college committees.
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and institutional needs.

Skills

Biology teaching

Communication

Team collaboration

Diversity & equity

Education

Master's or higher in biology or related field

Bachelor's with Master's in related science

Job description

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Salary Schedule:

Placement on the adjunct faculty salary schedule is based upon education and credited experience. Pending any course assignment, initial placement can range as follows: Lab Course (Salary Schedule HB) - $89.20 up to $130.94 per hour. Lecture Course (Salary Schedule HC) - $103.85 up to $151.07.

Months Per Year:

Semester assignments as needed

Mandated Reporter:

Yes

Campus Security Authority:

No

Duties And Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

• Teach all courses offered in the biology curriculum.
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development.
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours.
• Maintain expertise in current technologies.
• Serve as a member of division and college committees.
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and general institutional needs.

Knowledge Of

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

• Successful teaching techniques in biology that engage students in their learning, motivate students to develop higher-order thinking skills, and ensure consistent and appropriate monitoring of student progress
• Currency in the discipline and related technology appropriate to the subject areas of the assignment

Skills And Abilities

• Academic preparation for, or successful experience in, teaching biology, preferably at the college level
• Capacity to reflect on and evaluate one's pedagogy and examine its effects critically
• Enthusiasm for, understanding of, and commitment to the role and purpose of the community college
• Experience in, and commitment to using computer-based technology appropriate to the subject area
• Skill and experience motivating individuals from a broad spectrum of academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds and ability to use instructional strategies designed for diverse learning styles and academic goals
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Job Requirements

• Master's or higher in any biological science OR Bachelor's in any biological science AND Master's or higher in biochemistry, biophysics, or marine science OR the equivalent (see below)
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice both within and outside of the classroom.

Note: If you believe your degree, academic background, or professional achievements are equivalent to the stated minimum qualifications, please complete the Application for Equivalence - For Faculty Positions, an option during the application submission process. The three means of demonstrating equivalency are as follows. Applicants may select more than one form of equivalency but must provide applicable evidence for each type:

• Degree Equivalence The employee or applicant possesses a degree(s) with similar content to those listed for the relevant discipline. The name of the degree is close to that specified on the Disciplines List but the degree either has a different title or area of expertise, or the coursework is slightly different. Equivalence is established through analysis of transcripts and coursework.
• Academic Background Equivalence
• Professional Achievement Equivalence The employee or applicant must demonstrate equivalence to the general education requirements for any Bachelor's or Associate's degree, and show evidence of outstanding professional achievement and/or substantial training in the requested field. The employee or applicant must submit substantial evidence, which demonstrates that their preparation, teaching experience, work experience, publications, portfolios, speaking engagements, and ability are equivalent to those expected from a person who meets the minimum qualifications.

Additional Information

Safety:

• Position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• Position is a Responsible Employee under the Equity in Education Act and Title IX

Work Demands

The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Environmental: typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available.

• Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online
• Comprehend speech at normal levels
• Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment
• Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Frequent bending at the waist
• Physical presence at on-site locations
• Communicate and interact with others
• Observe and interpret people and situations
• Learn and apply new information or skills
• Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks
• Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits:

• Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS), a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California or they may choose to participate in the STRS Cash Balance program or Social Security.

EEO Statement:

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses [phone]. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Closes: 06/30/2027