West Hills Community College District

Job Description
West Hills College Coalinga

Agriculture Production/Technology Instructor
221 Duty Days

Expected Start Date: Fall 2024

*This position is non-tenured and contingent upon grant funding. Current funding is scheduled to end June 30, 2026.*
Position Duties
Our History
West Hills Community College District has a rich history of serving the educational needs of the west side of the San Joaquin Valley for more than 80 years. The district covers nearly 3,500 square miles with colleges in Lemoore and Coalinga, the Firebaugh Center and three child development centers throughout neighboring rural communities, and the Farm of the Future facility at the north end of Coalinga.

Summary
West Hills College Coalinga (WHCC) is seeking for a full-time Agriculture Production/Technology instructor (non-tenure). The successful candidate must be dedicated to serving students of varying skill levels, be a discipline expert in the field, and will champion, innovate and provide dynamic pedagogical approaches focused on student success.

The successful candidate will exhibit a passion for educating a diverse student population through culturally-responsive pedagogical and andragogical teaching methods and demonstrate the use of effective practices for engaging students with diverse learning needs, backgrounds, and academic goals.

Current course offerings include introductory courses designed to help students develop a foundational understanding of the discipline as well as the fundamental skills and knowledge to meet their educational and career goals. The successful candidate will be responsible for enhancing curriculum including modernizing and increasing the accessibility of the programs offered including the use of technology to deliver instruction in the classroom. Instructional delivery will include the development and implementation of non-traditional approaches and distance learning strategies such as face to face, online, hybrid, video conference (two-way interactive courses), etc.

The successful candidate must be dedicated to serving students with diverse backgrounds, learning styles and abilities. Additional responsibilities include involvement in instructional and departmental activities such as, student recruitment, advising, developing new and updating existing curriculum based on student need and industry/workforce standards including regulatory or accreditation requirements, developing and accessing learning outcomes consistent with the needs of the diverse backgrounds and abilities of students. Collaborate with other faculty (fulltime and adjunct) on program review to maintain compliance of the discipline including employer advisory committees, articulation, interdisciplinary projects, and college initiatives Faculty participation in college governance and other required campus meetings is expected, including, but not limited to, Academic Senate appointments to standing councils, committees, and/or a variety of ad-hoc task forces. Teaching assignments will include a mixture of day, evening, and weekend courses plus face to face, online, hybrid classes. Teaching assignments will include teaching courses at the West Hills College Coalinga, Firebaugh Center and/ or other off campus sites. Teaching at offsite locations may include correctional institutions as part of the Rising Scholars Program, high schools as part of the Dual Enrollment/Early College Program, and/or other community locations. Office hours are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and assess innovative and diverse approaches to learning that improve student retention and success such as deploying learning communities, integrating learning technology, rely on evidence-based practices, and various modalities such as online, hybrid, fast-track, accelerated, etc.
Instruct and evaluate students effectively in the college classroom (for face to face, online, hybrid, video-conference classes, etc.).
Instruct a full-time load of classes in Agriculture Production/Technology and related areas as assigned. This will require traveling and teaching at various sites throughout the District’s service area.
Implement contemporary teaching methods that enhance learning and utilize technology in performing instructional and non-instructional duties including, but not limited to, Canvas or other learning management system(s); other software/computer aided instruction and multi-media; Microsoft Office Suite; District student information management system(s) (Civitas); and District information management system(s) (Colleague).
Teach courses consistent with the adopted course outline.
Incorporate and include elements that prepare students for workplace to meet applicable industry and workforce standards.
Work within and across disciplines to develop and implement a guided pathways model to promote student success, completion, transfer preparation, and career readiness;
Work with other faculty to design, implement, and assess Student Learning Outcomes at the course, program, and General Education levels in an effort to improve the quality of educational delivery and ensure student success.
Champion collaborative practices in instruction that lead to an active student-centered environment and close equity and gender gaps.
Assist in the growth and success of a diverse population of students through careful preparation of course materials, effective teaching methodologies, as well as informed critical feedback on assignments and discussions.
Assess and evaluate class content, materials, and to make changes to address gaps and areas of growth based on student needs.
Design, develop, and deliver curricular with application and relevancy to the varied and diverse backgrounds of students.
Participate in faculty responsibilities such as: course and curriculum development, review, articulation, and evaluation; assist in budget preparation; program review; participatory governance and employer advisory committees; research; accreditation; and special projects as needed.
Partner/collaborate in employers, businesses, community organizations, regional consortium, and industry bodies including other educational entities to ensure curricular relevancy, applicability, and alignment with workforce standards and to facilitate career readiness and opportunities for students.
Meet record keeping obligations within specified time frames and in compliance with identified deadlines (e.g. grades, census, reports, rosters, textbook orders, requisitions, etc.).
Maintain and provide current course syllabi as required by California Education Code and West Hills College Coalinga.
Hold regular office hours.
Advise and assist students.
Commit to extracurricular activities as assigned (e.g., student club advisor, student newspaper, etc.)
Commit to professional excellence by remaining current in the subject matter and techniques of effective instruction through participation in professional development activities.
Be student focused in instructional and non-instructional elements and responsibilities.
Help to promote enrollment through student completion in classes, degrees, certificates, transfer preparation, and career readiness
Work with counseling/advising and student services team to support and address student needs.
Participate in teaching and learning and other professional growth opportunities in the discipline, with peers, and other areas to advance student success, associate degree/certificate program completion, transfer to universities, career readiness, etc.
Develop, design, and integrate practices to support experiential learning, student engagement, student connection, and student community.
Design/develop/deliver/facilitate/teaching in non-traditional format including credit for prior learning, competency-based education, etc., to meet student need.
Serve as programmatic educational resource for related agriculture production/technology programs and initiatives.
Make presentations and/or facilitate learning opportunities for internal and external groups to raise awareness and understanding of agriculture related programs and initiatives.
Advocate and promote non-traditional learning and solutions including agriculture production/technology programs and initiatives including support for agricultural communities.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of, and familiarity with the mission, vision, and philosophies of California Community Colleges.
Ability to instruct and evaluate students effectively in the college classroom.
Ability to provide work/business related application to advance student learning and achievement.
Demonstrated understanding of issues of equity in higher education and strategies to address equity gaps.
Experience with pedagogy and andragogy that engages students in their own learning process and develops critical thinking skills.
Ability to develop curriculum in the discipline.
Ability to implement contemporary teaching methods and technologies to promote and effectively facilitate innovation in teaching and learning practices.
Ability to communicate clearly with students and staff, both orally and in writing.
Knowledge of and ability to communicate various issues and concerns facing historically underrepresented students as it relates to course content.
Ability and commitment to working with a diverse division/team on implementing highly effective inclusive, culturally responsive practices and participating in dialogue on equity in education.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and community organizations as well as to be involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and development through memberships in regional, state, and national organizations or other activities appropriate to the discipline or assignment.
Ability and willingness to teach a wide range of classes as schedule and situation require including travel to the district’s various sites.
Knowledge of the use of technology in performing instructional and non-instructional duties, including distance education technology, online course delivery, computerized presentations, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Successful teaching experience at the secondary or post-secondary level.
Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students.
Ability to use data to drive decisions regarding student success and retention.
Evidence of an ability to self-reflect and respond to an evidence-based assessment of student learning.
Willingness to examine and re-mediate one’s instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support students.
Education and Experience
Evidence of sensitivity and responsiveness to as well as an understanding of the racial, ethnic, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, academic and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded educational services and practices.

Any bachelor’s degree or higher and two years of professional experience OR any associate degree and six years of professional experience. The professional experience must be directly related to the faculty member’s teaching assignment: Agriculture Production/Agriculture Technology.

EQUIVALENCY
Candidates not meeting the minimum qualifications as stated above may complete an equivalency form (linked under “Required Materials” below) to be submitted with the other required material. Requests for equivalency will be reviewed by the Equivalency Committee as assigned by the Academic Senate. If you need a copy of the equivalency form and are unable to download by clicking on the link below, please contact Human Resources at 559-934-2155 or via email at humanresources@whccd.edu.
Supplemental Information
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Cover letter addressing the essential functions of this position.
2. Online District Application
3. Resume
4. Unofficial transcripts verifying degree(s) received.
5. Equivalency Form (Download PDF reader) only needed if MQs are not met)

*Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidates responsibility to make sure the application packet is complete. *West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran’s status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.

Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.

West Hills Community College District offers a comprehensive benefit package.

Benefits offered are as follows:

20 Sick Days
$50,000 Life Insurance Policy (Option to purchase an additional $50,000 or $100,000 in addition to what is covered by the District)
$25,000 Accidental Life Insurance Policy (Option to purchase an additional $25,000 or $75,000 in addition to what is covered by the District)
Medical (Anthem Blue Cross through CVT)
Dental (Delta Dental)
Vision (VSP)
Prescription
Disability Insurance
CalSTRS Retirement
Employee Educational Assistance
Relocation reimbursement up to $2,000.00 covered expenses for those who relocate their primary residence into the district.
Current Employee Contribution for Insurance Premiums are as follows (there is not an additional charge to add dependents to your insurance):
$314.92 per month for Plan1A
$108.92 per month for Plan 4A
$99.92 per month for Plan 4B
$0 per month for Plan WELL 1C
District Paid Plan 7B and Bronze Plan