Job Description

Assistant Professor, Biology (TENURE TRACK)


Posting Number: F01387
Location: Contra Costa College
Salary:

Description of Position:
The Biology Department at Contra Costa Community College is accepting applications for a Tenure-Track Faculty (full time). This assignment begins August 2027.

The student population of Contra Costa College (CCC) reflects its surrounding diverse communities. CCC is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and serves predominantly historically disadvantaged and under-represented student groups including African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Latinx students. CCC is situated in a socioeconomically diverse, resilient, and culturally vibrant community. We seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population, and our central work: strengthening West County by meeting our students where they are and helping them get to where they want to be.

We seek candidates who operate with a growth mindset, a strength-based approach centered on students, and a commitment to equity, especially concerning the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion. The ideal candidate will be eager to help construct and maintain a culture of continuous improvement in instructional effectiveness.

This is a full-time, tenure-track academic position in Biology at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California. Non-majors Introductory Biology is a core teaching responsibility. In addition, the successful candidate must be prepared to teach at least one of the following: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, or Microbiology. Teaching responsibilities include both lecture and laboratory instruction in non-majors Introductory Biology and the selected additional area.

The successful candidate will provide engaging, accessible instruction for students completing general education requirements, preparing for allied health programs, and pursuing transfer. Responsibilities include developing and accessing lecture and laboratory learning activities, guiding safe laboratory practice, evaluating student learning, and collaborating with department faculty and laboratory staff to support curriculum and student success. Teaching assignments will reflect department needs and the selected candidate's preparation.

Inquiries:
Amber Tu, Sr. Administrative Assistant, to VP of Equity and Instructionmailto:[email protected]

Position Status: Tenure- Track
EEO Job Category: Faculty & Other Instructional Staff
Employee Group: Full-Time Faculty
Department: C7002-Biological Sciences

Duties and Responsibilities:
In addition to contractual duties, all full-time faculty are expected to participate actively in their disciplines, department activities, and the general intellectual life and governance of the college. Part of the teaching assignment may be in the evening and/or online. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. advancing equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established course outlines;
2. participating in the assessment of student learning outcomes for courses and programs; developing and implementing student learning outcomes assessment processes for courses and programs;
3. collaborating in the development and revision of curriculum and in program review;
4. engaging in department program improvement initiatives;
5. participating in department, division, and college committees;
6. participating in professional development activities, both departmental and college-wide;
7. maintaining current knowledge in the subject matter area and effective teaching/ learning strategies;
8. maintaining appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics;
9. informing students of course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements;
10. preparing and grading class assignments and examinations and informing students of their academic progress;
11. maintaining attendance, scholastic, and personnel records and submitting them according to published deadlines;
12. posting and holding sufficient and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy;
13. participating in College's shared governance processes.

Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience:
Understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and faculty.

EDUCATIONNote: Degrees must be from an accredited college/university. Transcripts must show degree(s) conferred.Master's in any Biological ScienceORBachelor's in any Biological Science AND Master's in Biochemistry, Biophysics, or Marine ScienceORthe equivalent

EQUIVALENCYIf you are applying for equivalency, please attach the Master's Degree Discipline Equivalency form contained in the application packet and explain how your background is the equivalent.

Desirable Qualifications:
Highly qualified candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and experience:Teaching Preparation and Experience1. Academic preparation and effective college-level teaching experience in both lecture and laboratory courses in non-majors Introductory Biology, the primary teaching area for this position, and at least one additional area: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, or Microbiology. Proficiency in all three additional areas is not expected.
Laboratory Skills and Safe Practice
2. Ability to teach foundational laboratory skills in non-majors Introductory Biology, including compound light microscopy, slide preparation, accurate measurement and solution preparation, experimental design with appropriate controls, and collection, graphing, and interpretation of biological data. Ability to guide students in safe equipment use and clear scientific communication.

3. Technical proficiency in laboratory methods and equipment relevant to at least one of the following areas, including the ability to teach safe practices and troubleshoot common problems. Proficiency in all three areas is not expected.

- Human Anatomy: Experience working with human cadavers and performing cadaver dissection; identification of anatomical structures using cadavers, anatomical models, and preserved specimens; microscopic identification of tissues; and application of anatomical terminology and structure-function relationships
- Human Physiology: Experience with frog pithing and specimen preparation; laboratory experiments in enzyme activity, membrane transport, sensory function, and muscle physiology; recording and interpreting EMG, ECG, and blood pressure data; use of systems such as PowerLab and LabChart; and proficiency in solution preparation, spectrophotometry, physiological calculations, and data analysis.
- Microbiology: Experience with aseptic technique, culture media preparation, microbial cultivation and isolation, microscopy and staining (including Gram staining), serial dilutions and viable plate counts, biochemical identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing; and proficiency in safe microbial handling, disinfection, sterilization, and biological waste disposal.




Effective and Inclusive Teaching4. Evidence of rigorous, engaging, and effective instruction that develops students' scientific reasoning and connects biological concepts to everyday life, human health, and scientific inquiry.

5. Ability to create an inclusive, accessible learning environment for students with varied academic preparation, abilities, backgrounds, and educational goals. Demonstrated sensitivity to differences in race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic circumstances, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, and disability in teaching pedagogy.

6. Ability to evaluate and improve instruction through evidence-based teaching strategies, student feedback, reflection, and assessment of student learning outcomes.
Commitment to Community College Students

7. Knowledge of and commitment to the open-access mission of California community colleges, demonstrated through support for students completing general education requirements, preparing for allied health programs, and pursuing transfer to four-year institutions.
Collaboration and Departmental Contribution
8. Effective communication and collaboration with students, faculty, and laboratory staff, including active listening, constructive responses to feedback, and shared work on curriculum development, laboratory instruction, assessment, and department and college initiatives.
9. Interest and ability to strengthen connections with high schools, counselors, college colleagues, and allied health and transfer programs through outreach and collaboration to help students understand and pursue their educational goals.

Job Open Date: 11/06/2026
Job Close Date: 01/10/2027
Open Until Filled: No
Employment Begins: August 2027
# of Months: 10

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/9959513

The Contra Costa Community College District does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sex, or sexual orientation. This prohibition against unlawful discrimination extends to any person who is perceived to have any of the above characteristics or who is associated with someone who has, or who is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.



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