Psychology Instructor

Social Sciences Department

Opening Date	February 1, 2008
Closing Date	March 21, 2008
Starting Date	September 2008
Position Number	P41120

Position Overview

This Psychology instructor position works closely with other Psychology faculty in overseeing the Psychology curriculum at the college. Our Psychology program’s goal is to provide our students with a broad-based understanding of theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and core-content areas in the discipline.  The instructor also works closely with other Social Science instructors to manage the general Social Science program curriculum.  The typical assignment consists of teaching 15 credits each quarter delivered via online, face-to-face, and/ or combination hybrid of these and other methods.

Terms of Employment

This is a 100%, 180 days academic year assignment.

Teaching assignment(s) may include evening and week-end courses and the use of non-traditional delivery methodologies, e.g. telecourses, cable television and online/Internet courses.  Duty days may fluctuate from the traditional September-June schedule.  Recently hired faculties are expected to participate in a new faculty orientation program.

Must provide official transcript to support degree and/or course work from accredited institution.  As applicable, must complete agreement to engage in completion of Master’s degree within one year of hire.

Salary and Benefits

2007/2008 Salary Range:  $38,378 – $66,944/yr.  Salary placement is subject to contract negotiations; newly hired normally begin at Step 3, depending on education and experience.

The college also provides an excellent benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to employee and college collective bargaining agreements).  Benefits also include: life, and disability insurance and membership in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) or Oregon Public Services Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates must:  Hold a Master’s degree or higher in Psychology from an accredited institution with at least 24 graduate credit hours in Psychology; OR be currently enrolled in a Master’s or higher degree program in Psychology from an accredited institution, with the degree obtained one year from the hire date AND at least 24 graduate credit hours in Psychology.  

Candidates must provide evidence of broad-based Psychology graduate study and a passion for teaching and learning at the community college level.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate the following:

• A sound understanding of the community college learning environment and a commitment to the comprehensive community college mission.
• The desire, ability, and dedication to employ technology as an effective instructional tool in the face-to-face and distance delivery of courses.
• The ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, educational partners and community members who span a diverse range of cultures, languages, nationalities, socioeconomic, and educational experience.
• The ability to demonstrate effective teaching to adult learners.
• A desire and commitment to create a classroom environment focused on active learning in which all students are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural.

Essential Functions

The Psychology Instructor will be responsible for the following:

• Understand, develop, and provides a learning environment that supports diversity and incorporates a sensitivity to diversity into the workplace
• Actively participates in the retention and recruitment of students
• Use appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions; understand and utilizes available technology as communication and data gathering tools and integrates technology into curriculum and classroom presentations
• Teach the college’s standard Psychology courses. Course descriptions can be found on the Chemeketa Web site at http://www.chemeketa.edu/exploring/areas/courses/psy.html
• Develop and teach online and/or hybrid versions of the standard courses
• Develop and teach new courses in response to diverse community and student needs and interests
• Maintain an awareness of current trends in Psychology and incorporate these trends within instruction
• Maintain regular office hours, provide timely responses to student inquires, and advise/assist students so that they become more likely to succeed both within their Chemeketa experience and the broader educational community
• Actively participate with other faculty in regular departmental duties and in the on-going planning, oversight and assessment of the Social Science program college curriculum
• Actively participate in college and community committees and functions as a representative of the Social Science program
• Promote and apply the college’s values for teaching and learning: 
  • creating a learning climate of mutual respect and fairness
  • encouraging creative and critical thinking; actively engaging students in the learning process
  • facilitating learning that applies to and enriches a student’s life
  • encouraging mutual responsibility for a supportive learning environment
  • clarifying expectations and encouraging student responsibility for learning
  • promoting learning as a life-long process
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Application Packet Must Include:

• Chemeketa application
• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three recent letters of reference specific to this position (within past 3 yrs)
• Transcripts from accredited institution (official or unofficial at time of application) to support required degree and/or coursework
• Supplemental Question:  Prepare a written philosophy statement in 3 pages or less addressing the following:
  • How would/do you present broad-based Psychological curricula in the community college classroom?
  • What strategies and techniques do you use to instruct adult learners who come from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds?
  • In addition to your full-time teaching assignment, you will be called upon to attend staff meetings, be a member of committees, advise students and work as a team member both on campus and with the community.  In view of this, please speak to the rewards and demands of the position.

About Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa Community College is a public, two-year institution located in Salem, Oregon. It is the second-largest college in the Oregon Community College System and serves more than 55,000 students each year with an FTE of over 10,000. Chemeketa is the largest Latino-serving institution of higher education in Oregon both by number and by percentage, and has the highest number of federal grant-funded programs for under-represented students in Oregon. The college is an equal opportunity institution that values diversity in the workforce and is committed to affirmative action. We encourage people of color, women, and people with disabilities to apply. The name Chemeketa is a Kalapuya word meaning "place of peace." In the spirit of peace we invite you to join us at Chemeketa to encourage a better understanding of our community and our world. To learn more about Chemeketa, including our mission and strategic themes, please visit our website at http://www.chemeketa.edu.

About Salem, Oregon

Salem, the capital of Oregon, is the second-largest city in the state. Over 146,000 people call Salem home and enjoy its tree-lined streets, riverfront park, and convenient downtown shopping. Every year, Salem hosts the World Beat Festival organized by Salem's diverse cultural community and featuring cuisine, music, and dances from around the world. Salem and its surrounding communities have Latino, Russian, German, Vietnamese, Pacific Island, American Indian, and many other populations that bring a wealth of perspectives to the city.

Salem is surrounded by the vineyards, orchards, and farms of the fertile Willamette Valley. The Cascade Mountains are an hour's drive to the east, and the Oregon Coast an hour's drive to the west. Western Oregon is known for the rain that creates its green forests, but its summers are warm and dry. Portland, 45 miles to the north, also offers a wide variety of sporting events, cultural activities, and entertainment.

To learn more about Salem, visit the Salem Chamber of Commerce’s community page (www.salemchamber.org/community/index.html) or visit the Salem Community Guide website (www.oregonlink.com).

How to Apply

Only complete packets will be reviewed by the screening committee. It is important that your application clearly indicates that you meet the minimum qualification for the position. Please include enough relevant training and experience to demonstrate that you possess the minimum qualifications.

Application material may be faxed and must be received by the application deadline. However, a signed hard copy of the application must be received by the Human Resources Department upon hire. (The Human Resources Department will not confirm receipt of application material and is not responsible for material not completely transmitted.)

Application Deadline

March 21, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department on the Salem Campus.

Chemeketa Community College
Human Resources Department
PO Box 14007
Salem, OR 97309-7070
503.399.5009 (phone)
503.399.7810 (fax)

Other Information

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity institution, values diversity in its workforce, and is committed to affirmative action: we encourage minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to apply. It is the policy of Chemeketa Community College that discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or family relationships will not exist in any area, activity, or operation of the college. Chemeketa Community College is also a smoke-free/drug-free environment.

Federal regulations require that all documents submitted by applicants be retained by the college for a period of two years. No submitted materials will be returned and/or duplicated.

For further information, to request an application packet, or to request disability accommodation during the application process, contact the Human Resources Department at 503.399.5009. You may also e-mail requests to humanresources@chemeketa.edu. Our office is located in Building 2, Room 214, on the Salem Campus.

Updated February 1, 2008 by the Human Resources Department