Full-Time Physics Instructor

Requisition Details

Position Information

Position Title Full-Time Physics Instructor

How many positions are you recruiting for? 1

Campus West Valley College

Position Summary Information

Definition

[INTERNAL VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY]

Tenured faculty may request a voluntary transfer to an open, full-time faculty position. A voluntary transfer is the reassignment of a current tenured faculty employee from the department where presently assigned to fill a full-time vacancy in which the member meets the minimum qualifications or equivalencies. The vacancy may be in another department at the same college, or in any department at the other college. See WVMFT Article 23.4 for more information. This notice serves to inform full-time faculty employees of an upcoming position opening.

Internal applicants who are eligible for the voluntary transfer opportunity will receive first-consideration for interview prior to non-eligible applicants.

This transfer opportunity period is open ONLY for 10 business days so as to allow eligible, current tenured faculty employees an opportunity to request a voluntary transfer, if interested. The deadline to apply is November 5, 2026. Applications that meet eligibility for a voluntary transfer but are received after this deadline will not be considered for a voluntary transfer opportunity but will still be considered along with all other applications.

ATTENTION ALL APPLICANTS:

The Department of Physical Sciences is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Physics/Physical Science Instructor.

West Valley College is part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, West Valley College enrolls over 15,000 students annually and is minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley in a beautiful park-like setting on 143 wooded acres. The student population represents diverse communities from the cities of Saratoga, Campbell, and Los Gatos. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research webpage.

The college is ranked number one in transfer in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area and number one in California out of 116 community colleges. The college is known for high quality academic and career education programs supported by talented faculty and dedicated classified professionals who bring an equity-minded approach to student success. Most recently West Valley College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 200 U.S. community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for community College Excellence. WVC inspires students to create a future for themselves so they can contribute to a world in need of their talents, drive, and enthusiasm. Centered on innovation, excellence, belonging, and inclusivity, the college was honored to receive the 2025-2028 FamilyU Seal for its service to parenting students.

As a campus community, West Valley is committed to addressing inequities and injustices, both societal and institutional, and so recognizes that institutions of higher education have colluded, harmed, and remained complacent in upholding aspects of white supremacy, ableism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression. The West Valley College community is committed to long-term equity, social justice, and racial justice work which will transform individuals, the institution, and the greater community. As a collective community, we embrace accountability and will act with courage, grace, and humility in fulfilling our commitment to learning and unlearning.

Under the direction of the Dean of Science/Math and the Physical Sciences Department Chair, the Physics/Physical Science Instructor will teach lecture and lab courses in physics and/or physical science, hold office hours, participate in department duties, and serve on college committees. The Department believes in “hands-on” learning experience through laboratory courses to complement lecture sessions. We have a strong commitment to our program and our students.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a culturally diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

Assignment This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track faculty position that begins in Spring 2027. Instructional assignments may include day and/or evening classes, Monday through Saturday, as needed and rotate among the Physics faculty. It is expected that over several semesters, all levels of Physics offered at the college will be taught. This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers (WVMFT / AFT Local 6554).

Work location: West Valley College, Saratoga, CA or Mission College, Santa Clara, CA

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range:

• $97,318 $157,048 annually (10 months), based upon academic achievement, teaching and related experience (Academic Salary Schedule, Steps 1-9).

Benefits include:

• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and dependents.
• Employer paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• Sabbatical, Rejuvenation and Retraining Leaves.
• Banked leave provisions.
• Professional Growth and Development activities.
• 10 days sick leave accrued annually; personal necessity and catastrophic leave.
• Conference leaves.
• Opportunity for overload assignments.
• Cal STRS Retirement.
• Position is union affiliated.

Minimum Qualifications 1.Education – Possess one of the following:

• Master’s in physics, astronomy or astrophysics; OR
• Bachelor’s in physics or astronomy AND Master’s in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics; OR
• A valid California Community College Instructor’s Credential in Physics; OR
• The equivalent of the above;

AND

2.Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired qualifications:

• Advanced education beyond the minimum required and possession of an excellent academic record that indicates a strong background in physics and/or physical science.
• Commitment to maintaining a current knowledge of recent developments in physics and physical science.
• Experience teaching lecture and laboratory courses in undergraduate physics courses.
• Experience using laboratory equipment in a community college or other college setting.
• Experience or interest in web enhancing and/or teaching online courses and ability to use technology.
• Commitment to execute extracurricular responsibilities within the Department and College.
• Commitment to a career in a diverse, student-centered Department and College.
• Ability to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, including those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
• Experience with best practices in tutoring and teaching related to student success and equity.
• Ability to teach introductory math courses.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various academic departments and service areas at the College.

Knowledge and Abilities N/A

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities Instructional duties and assignments may consist of one or more of the following:

• Provide instruction for assigned courses. This includes preparation, in-class activities, evaluation of students’ work, consultation with students outside of class (scheduling time beyond normal office hours if necessary), ensuring regular effective student contact for Distance Education courses, maintenance of currency in the subjects taught and other efforts related to the teaching of the assigned classes, and participate in the process of SLO assessment and evaluation and use the results of these assessments in the process of continuously improving student learning.
• Maintain accurate class and other records.
• Submit, when due, all necessary reports, such as attendance, grade reports, rosters, class and office schedules.
• File a syllabus for each course with the appropriate division offices.
• Post and maintain office hours each week.
• Provide each student with a current course syllabus as required by Title 5, which includes SLOs, classroom procedures, requirements and grading policies and provide a copy to the Division Office.
• Refer students to appropriate college resources.
• Assist students by providing advice on requirements for successful achievement in the members’ area of expertise.
• Assume institutional responsibilities, essential to the ongoing operation and effective achievement of department, division, college and district programs.

Working Conditions

Other Duties

Physical Demands

Applicant Information

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

• Interested applicants must submit online all materials requested, including: (1) A completed online West Valley-Mission Community College District application; (2) Supplemental application questions; (3) Resume; (4) Unofficial copies of transcripts; (5) Cover letter and/or reference list, if requested; and (6) Any requested licenses or certificates, if applicable.
• All sections of the online application, including Education and Educational Work History, must be completed thoroughly.
• Supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone numbers must be included in the application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Do NOT send unrequested materials. Unrequested materials will be removed from your application and will not be used for consideration of employment.
• The employment application and supporting documents represent you; it is to your advantage to fill out the application form carefully and completely.
• If you have a question that isn’t covered in our FAQs, please contact us at careers@wvm.edu.

ABOUT TRANSCRIPTS:

• If a minimum requirement is possession of a degree, then a copy of transcripts is required to be included with your application to verify the degree being awarded. If no transcripts are included or the transcript does not show a degree conferred AND degree conferred date, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements.
• Should the minimum qualifications state “any combination equivalent to,” then additional relevant work experience may substitute for education. In this case, please upload a document stating such in the Required Transcripts document field.
• Degrees must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
• Candidates with degrees earned outside of the United States must provide official certification of equivalency to U. S. degrees by a certified U. S. credential review service, must have a U.S. evaluation (course by course of the transcripts) and must be submitted with this online application.
• If you do not have an electronic version of the transcript, you can get it scanned at an office supply or copy store; then attach the electronic version of your transcript to this online application.
• Copies of diplomas, grade reports, graduation petitions, transcript evaluations requests, or similar documents WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of transcripts.
• When uploading transcripts, please ensure they are NOT encrypted, secured, or password-protected or they will be rejected by the system.

EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION:

Applicants applying under equivalency bear the responsibility of submitting the District’s Equivalency Application form with details and evidence of the factors (academic preparation and/or experience) that they believe to be equivalent of the required qualifications for this position. Application(s) for equivalency are required if degrees are not in exact discipline required.

The Equivalency Application is included in the online application as an OPTIONAL form to complete.

• ONLY complete the Request for Equivalency application if degree does not match discipline(s) stated in the Minimum Qualifications.

• List accurately and completely the courses taken that match requirements of the required degree.
• Do NOT attach documents such as course evaluations.

For reasonable accommodations and assistance, contact:

Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 741-2564 Email: Careers@wvm.edu

Selection Process

SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION:

• After the deadline date, a committee will review and evaluate applications and supporting materials to select the applicants to be interviewed. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview.
• All candidates will receive an e-notification to acknowledge receipt of their application materials. If not contacted within 3-6 weeks following the close of the recruitment, no suitable match was determined at this time.
• Travel expenses to attend first-level interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
• Application materials become the property of the District and will not be returned or duplicated.
• The district may choose to re-advertise or indefinitely delay filling a position. Some positions may include first and second level interviews.
• The district reserves the right to contact former, current, the most recent employers, and others to investigate past employment records of applicants.
• Any tentative verbal offer of employment is contingent upon formal approval of the college Governing Board.
• Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she is authorized to work in the United States.
• Prior to employment, the selected candidate must submit official transcripts.
• The district does not provide visa sponsorship.

EEO STATEMENT:

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number FY22/23-365FT

Open Date 10/23/2026

Close Date 11/18/2026

Open Until Filled No

Requisition Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What area(s) in physics or physical science is your expertise? Include information on your research and any job experience outside an academic institution. (Open Ended Question)
• * What is your recent teaching experience? Please include in your answer the specific courses you have taught or assisted in teaching (e.g. as a graduate teaching assistant) in physics or physical science (physics, geology, oceanography, or astronomy). (Open Ended Question)
• * Describe your experience in preparing laboratory materials and equipment in physics and/or physical science courses. In addition, describe your experience in writing physics labs and preparing (setting up) physics labs. Please include a copy of your favorite lab exercise and an explanation of why you picked that exercise. (Open Ended Question)
• * What strategies have you used to help students who have weak preparation in math and science from their high school experience? Give two specific examples. (Open Ended Question)
• * In your experience, both as a student and as an instructor, what teaching methodologies have been most effective in maximizing student success and why? (300-word limit) (Open Ended Question)
• * What was the most innovative class activity or project you have tried in your class? Describe how it was conducted and what the students learned. What changes or improvement, if any, would you make next time? (Open Ended Question)