Political Science Instructor (FT)

WELCOME:

Solano Community College values the diversity of our community and is committed to honoring and empowering all of our students. We are seeking highly motivated applicants who excel in their chosen fields and are committed to working with the students from our communities. We invite student-oriented applicants who provide culturally responsive teaching, use a strength-based approach centered on students and are committed to continuous improvement of instructional effectiveness. 

Solano Community College District is a single college district that serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in California. Located on the ancestral lands of the Patwin people, Solano Community College’s Fairfield campus is in the heart of Suisun Valley midway between San Francisco and Sacramento. We also serve students at centers in Vallejo and Vacaville, at Travis Air Force Base, and at three correctional facilities. Our many innovative programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including a new library, and learning center, science labs and lecture rooms.

Students who attend Solano Community College are dedicated, persistent, and remarkable individuals who deserve the best opportunities a community college can provide. Our students come from both urban and rural communities, the military, and other diverse economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We serve students who represent the following cultures: Asian American (6%), Black/African American (13%), Filipino/a/x (10%), Hispanic/Latino/a/x (33%), Pacific Islanders (1%), and White Non-Hispanic (24%). We seek candidates who embrace our community and our student population, and who have an unwavering commitment to equity, especially the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion. 

Solano Community College is committed to applying promising practices in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We are cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students.  We invite you to join us on our journey to provide equitable and anti-racist education honoring and empowering the students of Solano Community College. 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Solano College Political Science Department is housed in the Social & Behavioral Sciences Division. We offer an Associate’s Degree for Transfer (AA-T) in Political Science, and many SCC students take one or more Political Science courses as part of their General Education pattern. The Department currently offers courses in a variety of fields including a Pathway in Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, Contract and Criminal Law, and a Pathway in International Relations, Comparative Politics, and World Politics/Foreign Policy. Political Science courses are offered in a variety of modalities and at multiple campus locations. 

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a dynamic and creative instructor to primarily teach survey courses in Political Science to teach one of the Pathways described above. All candidates are expected to teach Introduction American Government and Politics and Introduction to Political Science. A background to teach in both Pathways would be ideal. The ideal candidate is a flexible, student-centered educator who is committed to equitable teaching practices and has a desire to work collaboratively with other faculty, classified staff, administration, and students to close equity gaps. We prioritize applicants who, through their teaching, research, service, and/or lived experiences, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the college. 

The position will also require providing instruction in accordance with established course outlines and expectations, preparing and grading assignments and examinations, meeting administrative timelines and submitting required documents and reports, participating in division meetings, coordinating course-level and program-level assessment and planning, and maintaining regular office hours in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. 

Teaching assignments may include evening hours and off-campus instruction in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, and participation in student outreach and recruiting as part of the Division and College-wide services. 

We anticipate the first round of interviews to be conducted in-person the week of March 23^rd, 2025. Second round interviews are tentatively set for the week of April 13^th, 2026. All dates are subject to change.

APPLICATION PROCESS DETAILS:

• To be considered for this position, all complete applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.
• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview. It is, therefore, important that the application be thorough and detailed.
• Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
• The College may re-advertise or delay filling a position.
• Candidates should not expect official notification until the selection of the final candidate has been completed.
• Reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.
• Finalists will be invited to a second interview with the Superintendent/President. 

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Teach survey course in American Government and Politics from Constitutional Foundations to Institutions and Political Culture.
• Teach foundation course- Introduction to Political Science, a detailed survey of Governmental Systems/Basis of Government, Constitutions, Electoral systems, Political Parties, Legal Systems and Political Rights.
• Develop, review, and maintain currency of curriculum for Political Science courses in collaboration with other discipline faculty as well as the articulation officer.
• Provide instruction in accordance with established program course outlines of record; inform/advise students about program requirements; evaluate and provide timely verbal and written assessments of student performance; prepare and grade assignments and examinations; meet administrative timelines and submit completed reports and required documents; and maintain required student attendance, scholastic records, and other related materials.
• Participate in the development, assessment, and evaluation of student learning outcomes (SLO) and Program Level Outcomes (PLO).
• Actively participate in department/school meetings and maintain regular office hours in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and College and School policies; participate in college-wide academic service and collegial governance.
• Assist the Department in developing and teaching courses at the Vacaville and Vallejo campuses, in the Rising Scholar’s program, and online.
• Maintain currency in academic field(s) of expertise. 
• Work in collaboration with other discipline faculty in hiring and mentoring new adjunct faculty. 
• Participate in professional development and/or personal growth activities 
• Maintain effective communication with peers, staff, students, and administrators.
• Teaching assignments may include evening and weekend hours, and off-campus instruction in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and College and School policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Business

A commitment to encouragement of learning and an enthusiastic attitude toward student learning; sensitivity to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds who may have wide ranges of abilities.

AND

Qualified candidates must have a Master's Degree in Political Science, Government, or International Relations OR

A bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND a Master’s Degree in Economics, Public Administration, Social Science, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, J.D. or L.L.B., OR the equivalent 

OR the equivalent

• • Understanding and practice of addressing student equity through best-practice teaching methodologies.
  • Use computers, multimedia, course-management software, and other interactive technologies as teaching and learning tools.
  • Demonstrate ability to utilize multiple teaching methods/strategies needed to address the diverse learning styles/need of students including integration of interactive technologies to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
  • Possess a commitment to teaching and learning and provide a supportive learning environment to enhance student success and completion.
  • Possess a willingness to take initiative in co-curricular activities, outreach and recruitment efforts, special events, and school projects.
  • Possess a willingness to participate in shared/participatory governance of the Division and the College.
  • Demonstrate an ability to self-evaluate and effect change for personal growth and improvement, as well as an ability to accept constructive feedback and effect change appropriately and participate in professional growth and development activities and lifelong learning.
• WORK ENVIROMENT:
  The recommended candidate(s) will work in a small office or larger room with multiple people, in a primarily sedentary nature, either sitting or standing. This role will require significant technology use, including long periods of looking at technology screens and entering information using a keyboard and/or mouse device.  Interruptions are likely in large room settings and in small office settings.   Frequent use of online meetings technology with webcam on, phone, and email will be required to communicate with all campus communities.  The recommended candidate(s) must utilize vision (near) to write and to read printed materials and computer screens; utilize hearing for ordinary and telephonic conversation and to hear sound prompts from equipment; utilize manual and finger dexterity to type/keyboard and/or utilize mouse and otherwise operate a microcomputer and other office equipment.