COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND DIVERSITYWith the goal of ensuring the equal educational opportunity of all students, Santa Monica College embraces diversity among students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve as an integral part of our history, a recognition of the complexity of our present state, and a call to action for a better future. Embracing diversity means that we must intentionally practice equity and respect toward one another, and understand that discrimination and prejudices create and sustain privileges for some while creating and sustaining barriers for others. In order to embrace diversity, we also acknowledge that institutional discrimination and implicit bias exist, and that our goal is to eradicate those vestiges from our system. Our commitment to diversity requires that we strive to eliminate those barriers to equity, and that we act deliberately to create a safe and positive environment where individual and group differences are valued and leveraged for our growth and understanding as an educational community. To advance the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice for the success of students and employees, we must honor that each individual is unique and that our individual differences contribute to the ability of the college to prepare students on their educational journeys. This requires that we develop and implement policies and procedures, encourage individual and systemic change, continually reflect on our efforts, and hold ourselves accountable for the results of our efforts in accomplishing our goals. We are invested as a community in cultivating and maintaining a climate where equity and mutual respect are both intrinsic and explicit by valuing individuals and groups from all backgrounds, demographics, and experiences. Individual and group differences can include, but are not limited to the following dimensions: race, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, immigration status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, religion, creed, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, and any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. We acknowledge that the concept of inclusion and diversity is ever-evolving, thus we create space to allow our understanding to grow through the periodic review of this statement. In service of these goals, Santa Monica College is committed to fostering an employment environment that offers equal employment opportunity for all and an educational environment that ensures the equal educational opportunity of all students. Primary Duties and Responsibilities We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Chemistry faculty member to join our department. The successful candidate will teach introductory and general chemistry courses, encompassing both lectures and laboratories. In this role, you will contribute to curriculum development, collaborate with departmental colleagues on faculty evaluations and innovative teaching methods, and support student success in a dynamic and diverse educational environment.
Key responsibilities include:
Teaching and Curriculum Development: Deliver engaging lectures and laboratory sessions for introductory and general chemistry courses. Develop and implement innovative teaching strategies, applying interactive methods informed by current advances in chemistry education research. Collaborate on creating new curricula, such as a biology-focused chemistry program and career technical education pathways.
Student Support and Equity: Employ effective equity practices to support a diverse student population, including underrepresented groups in STEM fields like Latinx, African American, and women students. Advise student clubs and mentor students pursuing STEM disciplines.
Assessment and Professional Development: Assess student learning outcomes and analyze data to inform instructional strategies. Participate in faculty evaluations, peer mentoring, and engage in professional development activities to stay abreast of trends in chemistry education.
Departmental and Institutional Service: Actively participate in departmental meetings, contribute to policy development, and serve on college-wide committees to advance the institution's mission and vision. Collaborate effectively with colleagues on departmental projects and initiatives.
Laboratory Management: Assist in selecting and maintaining laboratory instrumentation, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and promoting a safe learning environment.
Possess a Master's degree from an accredited institution in chemistry
OR Bachelor's in chemistry or biochemistry AND Master's in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical physics, physics, molecular biology, or geochemistry
OR the equivalent
Must have evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the socio-economic, academic, cultural and ethnic diversity within the community college student population, including students for whom English is not their first language, first generation college students, and students with physical and/or learning disabilities as these factors relate to differences in learning styles.
*The Santa Monica Community College District, in its desire to select outstanding faculty members from the largest possible pool of qualified applicants, recognizes the fact that candidates may attain expertise in a discipline through a variety of means. Certain combinations of education, experience and other accomplishments in the field may be judged by the District as equal to the stated minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who feel they possess such equivalent qualifications are encouraged to apply and provide appropriate documentation of their qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
While many applicants will meet the minimum qualifications, the preferred qualifications below are crucial in distinguishing between the candidates for this position. We ask that you clearly address in your application, with evidence, if possible, any of the preferred qualifications below that you possess.
Teaching Experience:
Experience teaching college-level chemistry lectures and laboratories, particularly at the introductory and general levels.
Experience developing innovative strategies for teaching entry-level STEM students.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion:
Demonstrated experience implementing equity practices that improve outcomes for underrepresented populations in STEM.
Professional Engagement:
Recent participation in professional development programs or postgraduate degree programs aimed at enhancing teaching effectiveness and student support.
Involvement in service-related activities, such as committee work or community outreach and engagement, to advance departmental or institutional missions.
Subject Matter Expertise:
Advanced education or experience in areas such as inorganic, organic, physical chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical education.
Knowledge of current advances in chemistry education research and experience applying interactive teaching methods.
Communication and Collaboration:
Strong ability to communicate effectively with college students and professional colleagues.
Proven track record of collaborative efforts in academic settings.
Additional Information
Full-Time Faculty Application Requirements
A standard application consists of the following:
Online District Application
Cover Letter
Briefly address how you meet the minimum qualifications.
State which preferred qualifications you meet and how you have met them.
Explain your interest in the position.
Resume
Transcript
Sample Syllabus (see special instructions)
Include a syllabus for a chemistry class you have taught recently.
If you have not taught a chemistry class recently, design a syllabus for Chem 10: Introductory Chemistry.
Note: You may find it helpful to review the course outlines for the introductory and general chemistry classes at SMC:
*SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: To successfully add the additional required documentation to your application, please select "add Supplemental Attachment" and then select "OTHER" when uploading the following documents: Teaching Philosophy Statement and Sample Assignment. PLEASE NOTE: The system will not prompt you to upload supplemental attachments; however, they are required. Please refer to the application requirements before submitting your application.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE SELECTED FOR A FINAL INTERVIEW YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TO BE REVIEWED AS A PART OF THE FINAL PROCESS. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application materials are received prior to the recruitment deadline.
Pay Philosophy
Starting salaries for Full-Time Faculty are based on a combination of experience (step) and educational (group) achievement. Initial placement is within the starting salary range and a minimum of step 5 within the applicable group. Further advancements are based on longevity and educational growth.
This advertised salary range is based on the contracted regular semesters (Fall and Spring). Intersessions (Winter and/or Summer), additional teaching load, and/or substitute teaching may result in increased earning potential.
Diversity Statement Recent experience working with African American, Latinx, Native American, and other racially minoritized students in the classroom; and a willingness to use culturally responsive instructional practices. Demonstrated sensitivity to issues of diversity, and ability to motivate and teach community college students of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, cultures, and learning styles, as well as students with disabilities or varied levels of academic preparation.
Please review our Diversity Report: Faculty/Staff Diversity Reports - Santa Monica College (smc.edu) Equity StatementSanta Monica College encourages candidates that are equity-minded to apply. SMC is a minority-serving, Hispanic-serving institution. We actively seek to attract candidates from minority groups that value equity, diversity and inclusion. Equity, diversity and inclusion are built into the culture at SMC and are an essential component of the work that we do. SMC is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity as it is a reflection of our student population and we strive to hire candidates that share this commitment. Equal Employment Opportunity Disclosure The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunity. No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District. The District's Board Policy 3420 (Equal Employment Opportunity) may be accessed at: https://www.smc.edu/administration/governance/board-of-trustees/documents/board-policy-manual/board-policies/chapter-3-general-institution/BP-3420-EEO.pdf(Download PDF reader)
Equivalency Statement
The Santa Monica Community College District, in its desire to select outstanding faculty members from the largest possible pool of qualified applicants, recognizes the fact that candidates may attain expertise in a discipline through a variety of means. Certain combinations of education, experience and other accomplishments in the field may be judged by the District as equal to the stated minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who feel they possess such equivalent qualifications are encouraged to apply and provide appropriate documentation of their qualifications. If you are applying for the recruitment through equivalency based on work experience, you will be required to submit proof of your work history.For further details regarding equivalency criteria, please download the Equivalency Application Statement Form available at: https://www.smc.edu/administration/human-resources/employment/documents/equivalency-statement-for-application.pdf(Download PDF reader)
Conditions of Employment
Appointment is subject to verification of official transcripts, current or previous employment, tuberculosis and fingerprint clearance. Selected candidate must provide identification and work authorization.
For more information about Santa Monica Community College: