Full-Time Ethnic Studies Instructor

Full-Time Ethnic Studies Instructor

Closing Date: 11/18/2026

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:
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:

1. 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.

AND

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 Qualification:

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired
qualifications:

• 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:

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:

Application Information:

Physical Demands:

Applicant Information:

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

• Interested applicants must submit online all materials

requested, including: (1) A completed online West Valley-Mission
Community College District application; (2) Supplemental
application questions; (3) Resume; (4) Unofficial copies of
transcripts; (5) Cover letter and/or reference list, if requested;
and (6) Any requested licenses or certificates, if applicable.

• All sections of the online application, including Education and

Educational Work History, must be completed thoroughly.

• Supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone numbers must be included in

the application.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Do NOT send unrequested materials. Unrequested materials will

be removed from your application and will not be used for
consideration of employment.

• The employment application and supporting documents represent

you; it is to your advantage to fill out the application form
carefully and completely.

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 being awarded. If no transcripts are included or
the transcript does not show a degree conferred AND degree
conferred date, the application may be screened as not meeting
minimum requirements, the application may be screened as not
meeting minimum requirements.

• Should the minimum qualifications state "any combination

equivalent to," then additional relevant work experience may
substitute for education. In this case, please upload a document
stating such in the Required Transcripts document field.

• Degrees must have been awarded by a college or university

accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on
Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of
Education.

• Candidates with degrees earned outside of the United States

must provide official certification of equivalency to U. S. degrees
by a certified U. S. credential review service, must have a U.S.
evaluation (course by course of the transcripts) and must be
submitted with this online application.

• If you do not have an electronic version of the transcript, you

can get it scanned at an office supply or copy store; then attach
the electronic version of your transcript to this online
application.

• Copies of diplomas, grade reports, graduation petitions,

transcript evaluations requests, or similar documents WILL NOT be
accepted in lieu of transcripts.

• When uploading transcripts, please ensure they are NOT

encrypted, secured, or password-protected or they will be rejected
by the system.

EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION:Applicants applying under equivalency bear
the responsibility of submitting the District's Equivalency
Application form with details and evidence of the factors (academic
preparation and/or experience) that they believe to be equivalent
of the required qualifications for this position. Application(s)
for equivalency are required if degrees are not in exact discipline
required.

The Equivalency Application is included in the online application
as an OPTIONAL form to complete.

• ONLY complete the Request for Equivalency application if degree

does not match discipline(s) stated in the Minimum
Qualifications.

• List accurately and completely the courses taken that match

requirements of the required degree.

• Do NOT attach documents such as course evaluations.

For reasonable accommodations and assistance, contact:

Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment

14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070

Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 741-2564

Email: Careers@wvm.edu

Selection Process:

SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION:

• After the deadline date, a committee will review and evaluate

applications and supporting materials to select the applicants to
be interviewed. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure
the candidate an interview.

• All candidates will receive an e-notification to acknowledge

receipt of their application materials. If not contacted within 3-6
weeks following the close of the recruitment, no suitable match was
determined at this time.

• Travel expenses to attend first-level interview are the

responsibility of the candidate.

• Application materials become the property of the District and

will not be returned or duplicated.

• The district may choose to re-advertise or indefinitely delay

filling a position. Some positions may include first and second
level interviews.

• The district reserves the right to contact former, current, the

most recent employers, and others to investigate past employment
records of applicants.

• Any tentative verbal offer of employment is contingent upon

formal approval of the college Governing Board.

• Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required

documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she
is authorized to work in the United States.

• Prior to employment, the selected candidate must submit

official transcripts.

• The district does not provide visa sponsorship.

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.

Special Instructions to the Applicant:

Posting Number: FY22/23-364FT

Open Date: 10/23/2026

Close Date: 11/18/2026

Open Until Filled: No

For more information on this position and to apply, please visit
our website at the following link: wvm.peopleadmin.com

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.

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