Instructor, Chemistry

Foothill-De Anza Community College District • Los Altos Hills, CA

261d • $72,704 - $119,405 • Onsite

About The Position

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District is currently accepting applications for the faculty position of Instructor, Chemistry, De Anza College. The chemistry department guides students in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in STEM transfer programs and career paths. More broadly, we prepare students to navigate the modern information landscape by nurturing the critical thinking skills necessary to screen that information for quality, credibility and relevance. Our lecture courses focus on building information literacy, quantitative intuition and abstract reasoning skills. Chemistry labs stimulate student curiosity about the natural world while providing the opportunity to apply the scientific method to generate and evaluate data, communicate scientific results, and develop the technical skills required to work safely and effectively in a professional laboratory environment. Beyond preparing students for their immediate transfer or career placement goals, the reasoning and communication skills that our students hone through our courses also build their capacity to act as informed and engaged citizens and empower them to act as positive change agents in furthering the vision of a more just, equitable and sustainable society.

Requirements

• Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
• Master's degree in chemistry OR bachelor's degree in chemistry or biochemistry AND master's degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical physics, physics, molecular biology, or geochemistry OR the equivalent.

Nice To Haves

• Recent lecture and laboratory chemistry teaching experience using different teaching modalities at the secondary or post-secondary level.
• Currency in chemical education as demonstrated by course work, research, presentations, or active participation in professional chemical societies.
• Hands-on experience maintaining and operating instrumentation used in community college laboratories, especially in organic synthesis, such as GC-MS, NMR, and IR.
• Experience with and knowledge of hazardous materials handling, disposal, and storage in a chemistry laboratory.
• Experience maintaining a safe laboratory environment in compliance with safety rules.
• Motivating and teaching students with diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds, preparation, learning styles, and disabilities.
• Working with community organizations, local universities, and high schools to promote chemical education and articulation at all levels.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues at the department and division level.
• A commitment to actively participate and contribute to the work of the department and institution.

Responsibilities

• Instruct diverse community college students in lecture and lab-based chemistry courses, ensuring cultural competence.
• Teach full range of lower-division chemistry courses as needed, with a focus on curriculum development and laboratory oversight.
• Develop laboratory schedules and safety protocols for hazardous chemicals.
• Mentor part-time faculty and support student success through well-prepared instructional materials, effective teaching strategies, and timely feedback.
• Fulfill standard faculty responsibilities, including curriculum development and evaluation, office hours, department and division meetings, professional growth, committee service, and campus engagement.
• Contribute to program and curriculum development for both credit and noncredit courses.
• Analyze student success, completion, retention, and persistence data, with attention to diverse student impacts.
• Represent and promote the department and discipline along with colleagues through college events, activities, and community engagement efforts.
• Participate in college and district-wide planning initiatives.
• Advance curriculum diversity and accessibility through evolving instructional approaches.

Benefits

• Excellent package which includes medical coverage for employee and eligible dependents, dental, vision care, employee assistance program, long term disability, retirement and basic life insurance.
• Voluntary benefits such as legal assistance, pet insurance, and long-term care.
• Paid professional development leaves and stipends for educational and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree