TT at Pierce College

Are you passionate about increasing student success in physics? Are you excited about helping student discover and apply the concepts of physics to the everyday world? Do you want to work side by side with colleagues who are leading the national conversation on increasing retention and completion? Can you envision yourself challenging and being challenged to find innovative ways to address achievement gaps in science education? If these questions resonate with you, then we invite you to consider joining the team at Pierce College, an innovative and equity-focused community college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals.

About the Program:
The successful candidate will be a colleague in a district Physics department offering a wide range of courses that help students gain a competitive edge in any STEM field. Courses are designed to help students think critically, flexibly and creatively, and stand out in the marketplace. Faculty are engaged in interdisciplinary solutions focused on integrating concepts and advancing completion.

The successful candidate's responsibilities include:

• Designing and teaching assigned courses throughout the spectrum of the physics curriculum (Physics for Non-Science Majors, Preparation for General Physics, General Physics, Engineering Physics) in a manner that promotes student engagement and success for diverse student populations;
• Leading efforts to increase student success in physics, including closing achievement gaps between demographic groups;
• Working within a collaborative and innovative department;
• Engaging in district-wide efforts to improve student retention and success;
• Engaging in curriculum and program development incorporating current educational theories and research;
• Incorporating active student learning and appropriate use of technology in the classroom;
• Analyzing course assessments, evaluations, and data and engaging in continuous improvement of courses based on that analysis in order to advance student achievement of outcomes, success in subsequent courses, and impact on retention and graduation;
• Continuously innovating learning experiences (campus, online, hybrid) in response to assessment and evidence/data analysis;
• Demonstrating multicultural competence, including an awareness and understanding of historically disadvantaged populations, and creating an educational environment that affirms commitment to equity and diversity;
• Setting the stage for a high level of student engagement;
• Creatively designing learning experiences that extend beyond delivering content and assisting students in achieving course, program, and degree outcomes, including the college's five core abilities of Multiculturalism, Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking, Information Competency, Responsibility, and Effective Communication;
• Teaching, advising, and mentoring students holistically from recruitment to completion;
• Engaging in shared governance;
• Participating in the First-Year Faculty Cohort in the first year of the tenure process.

About Pierce College:
Pierce College is an innovative community college committed to student engagement and learning. We value student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity in the classroom and expand into our local and global communities. From closing achievement gaps for all students to building directed career pathways, faculty, staff, and administrators work collaboratively to lead initiatives that advance student success. The college serves over 15,000 students in basic skills, transfer, and professional technical programs. Through conscious efforts, we have improved retention rates by 16% and graduation rates by 25%. This year, Pierce was named as a top community college in several national polls.

Pierce College employees and students live and work in various communities that offer the diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest. As part of the community and technical college system in Washington State, the District includes Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College Puyallup, Pierce College at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as other extended learning sites.

Required Qualifications:
Graduate degree in Physics or related field

Terms of Employment:
This position, which is contingent upon funding, is a full-time, tenure-track assignment of 173 contracted days per year, anticipated to begin September 2016. Assignment may include district discipline/program coordination, as well as evening, hybrid, and/or online teaching. This is a District position with a "home" campus assignment. Initial placement of this position will be at the Fort Steilacoom campus. Candidates will be working for a District Dean and will be required to attend district meetings as well as collaborate with colleagues across the district and across departments.

Initial salary placement is based on the current full-time faculty salary schedule and is dependent upon education and experience. Salary placement for newly hired full-time faculty will be at one of five levels based upon qualifications including teaching experience and credentials. The five levels range from $48,000 to $52,000 per 173-day academic year. Opportunities for summer employment and other assignments are in addition to the base salary.

Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position, applicants must include the following items in their application package:

1. Letter of formal application that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the assigned responsibilities (Cover Letter).
2. Responses to the following: What personal and professional work have you done in order to broaden your understanding of multiculturalism? AND How have you infused multiculturalism into your classroom in order for students to be challenged/motivated/inspired to be a part of a multicultural society? AND Pierce College has set a goal of closing achievement gaps for all student populations by 2020. How will you contribute to this effort at the classroom, program, and institutional levels? (Supplemental Question).
3. Detailed curriculum vitae of all educational and professional experience, which includes a list of courses taught (Curriculum Vitae).
4. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts that include degree received and confer date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: http//ncaes.org/members.htm. (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required prior to hire) (Transcripts).
5. A list of four current professional references with name, relationship to candidate, address, email address, and telephone number. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of a list of professional references (References).

Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service

Screening & Interview Process:
Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and have met the required qualifications will be considered. The most desirable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

For more information or assistance regarding your application, contact Human Resources at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu.