General Summary

About the Department
The Biology Department currently consists of six tenured faculty plus several adjunct faculty. Key academic programs include preparation for biology majors, health professionals, and general science students. Highline is also home to the Marine Science and Technology center (MaST), a waterfront marine lab and aquarium that supports a strong marine science program.

For more information on the department, visit https://directory.highline.edu/?dept=LOGS

HC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. HC faculty value self-reflective practice and continued professional growth. We strive to cultivate a welcoming and supportive learning environment for our diverse students, including a significant number of students who transition from our very large non-credit ESL program to credit-bearing certificate and degree programs. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:
Priority screening for application received by May 4, 2022. This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

ANTICIPATED DATE OF EMPLOYMENT:
This position is expected to begin in Fall Quarter, Fall 2022. 

SALARY:
Salary is based on the negotiated faculty salary schedule. One year faculty salary is $53,414 for a 9 month contract (170 instructional days).

ABOUT HIGHLINE COLLEGE

Established in 1961, Highline College is a comprehensive community college providing certificates as well as associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, and Adult Basic Education.  We serve transfer students, Running Start students, Professional-Technical students, International Students, Adult Basic Education students, English Language Learners, students with intellectual disabilities, and lifelong learners of all ages.  

Committed to the success of all students and to closing racial equity gaps, Highline College is the most diverse community college in Washington State and one of the most diverse in the United States. 20% of current students identify as Black/African American, 18% identify as Asian, 18% identify as White, 16% identify as Hispanic/Latinx, 2% identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 1% identify as Native American or Alaska Native, and .7% identify as Filipino. Highline’s commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community.  Highline aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics of our region.  This aspiration reflects both our commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, and our desire to maintain the excellence of our faculty.

MISSION: As a public institution of higher education serving a diverse community in a multicultural world and global economy, Highline College promotes student engagement, learning, and achievement, integrates diversity and globalism throughout the college, sustains relationships within its communities, and practices sustainability in human resources, operations, and teaching and learning. Adopted August 2013.

VISION: Highline College is valued as the educational crossroads where dreams are shaped, communities are created, and excellence is achieved. As an essential part of our mission and vision, diversity, equity and inclusion are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. 

    VALUES: Highline College is committed to these values:

• Access: We believe education should be available to all who seek it;

• Collaboration: We value teamwork, joint responsibility and ownership;

• Community: We value our community and are dedicated to serving its educational needs;

• Diversity: We respect the rights and perspectives of the diverse populations, who live, learn and work in our community;

• Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in all our programs and services;

• Integrity: We believe in honesty and trustworthiness in all our college practices;

• Internationalization: We value a global perspective and respect cultural diversity;

• Learning: We develop an interactive, creative and learner-centered environment that supports student success.

LOCATION: Highline College is located in a diverse community just 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle, with easy access to a dynamic urban arts scene, world-class cultural and sporting events, and unsurpassed outdoor recreation opportunities.  The college annually serves more than 16,500 students, and with a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages, Highline has been consistently ranked as one of the most diverse colleges in the nation.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE OFFERS:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to increase access, improve learning, and strengthen partnerships with our surrounding community;

• Robust support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship;

• A friendly, supportive, and highly engaged work environment with diverse colleagues;

• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs. 

DID YOU KNOW? Highline College is in the process of implementing guided pathways as a campus-wide transformation strategy designed to improve student success and decrease equity gaps. HC received a federally funded, five-year Title III grant in October 2020 designed to support our guided pathways work. HC is also developing a new Equity-First Strategic Plan with broad campus participation. 

Essential Tasks

Teaching: 
Teach courses in anatomy and physiology and, dependent on the appointee’s expertise, additional courses in introductory cell biology, and/or microbiology (teaching assignments may include evening/weekend, on-line, hybrid, and off-campus sections); advise students in college success strategies, mastery of course content, and developing/monitoring their academic and career plans.

Service:
Engage in department, division, and college initiatives; participate in shared governance; promote the college's values, and perform other contracted duties (for example, advisory committee participation) as required.
 
Professional development:
Maintain competence in teaching and the discipline through professional development.
 

Faculty-wide skills and abilities

• Adopt and use equity-minded approaches to teaching and learning for all students, including designing curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments relevant to students; valuing what students already know; and empowering students to demonstrate knowledge in multiple ways as appropriate for the discipline(s) or program(s);

• Demonstrate commitment to student learning including planning, organizing, and creating an interactive, cooperative, and mutually respectful learning environment incorporating research-based practices to teaching and assessment;

• Encourage students to ask questions, confront limits, recognize complexities, think critically, and challenge assumptions;

• Convey information and expectations clearly, listening carefully, encouraging students to communicate, and acting with respect, enthusiasm, and empathy toward students;

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, including being professional, honest, and ethical in the selection and delivery of course content; 

• Establish and maintain respectful, ethical, and professional relationships with students and colleagues;

• Demonstrate cultural responsiveness in interactions with students and co-workers, and within the community. 

At Highline, successful faculty applicants demonstrate the ability to promote:

• Active, inclusive and culturally relevant learning environments and curricula that welcome and engage all students, incorporating instructional technologies as appropriate to improve student attainment.
• Cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in interactions with students, faculty, staff and community members who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities and educational experiences.
• Collaborative approaches to day-to-day activities, to the development of innovations and new initiatives and, when necessary, to problem-solving.
• Self-reflective practice in teaching and learning, assessment, leadership, professional development and service.

PECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS APPOINTMENT:
This one year temporary faculty position lasts for one academic year (Sept-June) and may be reopened every year depending on faculty evaluation and the needs of the department. One year faculty will be mentored and evaluated according to the HCEA Faculty Contract agreement by department tenured faculty.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree (or higher) in biology or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution or its international equivalent (pending degrees must be verified by a letter from the granting institution)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• College teaching experience, preferably in the community college;
• Strong background in anatomy and physiology, and/or any combination of the following: cell biology, anatomy and physiology, or microbiology;
• Experience teaching and/or developing culturally responsive and anti-racist curriculum;
• Significant experience working in multicultural/diverse environments;
• Experience teaching online and/or hybrid classes using Canvas;
• Fluency in an additional language(s).