Paralegal Professor Part-time Faculty - Job at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, WA

Paralegal Professor Part-time Faculty

Tacoma, WA

Posted 3 days ago

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Job Description

Who We Are

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to the Puyallup Reservation to make way for settlers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of this community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. TCC is committed to increasing Native visibility by developing more culturally responsive curriculum. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. We are committed to infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives and experiences of the Black community into our curriculum. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

Tacoma Community College is a public two-year institution that serves a diverse population of approximately 12,000 students. Our students reflect the diversity of our community; we serve 27% students of color, 60% female, and a median age of 26. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our says, "As the community's college, we create meaningful learning, advance equity, and strengthen student and community success." Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion. According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty. To grow this workforce, we seek to recruit faculty who exemplify similar attributes:

Commitment to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population,
Reflects the diversity of our community,
Values intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching,
Honors the campus mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities,
Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for historically underserved populations,
Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others, and
Engages with the community both within and outside of TCC.

REGIONAL SETTING
For information on Tacoma and the surrounding area:

**Part-Time Faculty positions at the college are open continuously and reviewed on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Individuals who apply to the applicant pool are considered active for a period of 12 months from the application date and may be contacted when vacancies occur. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a position will be available or offered.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Tacoma Community College seeks student-centered educators to join our paralegal faculty team as part-time professors. The position includes development, preparation, and delivery of courses in the associate degree and certificate program level. Teaching assignments will regularly include daytime assignments scheduled between 10 am and 3 pm and may occasionally include evening classes all on the main campus. Classes are taught in various modalities including face-to-face, hybrid or fully online (synchronous or asynchronous). In-class teaching assignments will occur on Tacoma Community College's main campus. This position works closely with the Paralegal Program Chair and reports directly to the Dean of Business, Paralegal and Technology Pathways. Faculty will be required to work with the Program Chair to ensure that courses taught support overall Paralegal Program Objectives.

Essential Functions

Prepare curriculum and teach a variety of paralegal education courses including didactic classroom as well as hybrid or fully on-line.
Develop, implement, and evaluate curricula at the rigor appropriate for the degree and certificate program and in accordance with the ABA requirements on paralegal education.
Participates in program ABA approved activities, including meeting and data collection.
Motivate students by providing a positive and supportive environment for growth.
Communicate expectations and establish clear grading criteria through appropriate instructional means, to include but not limited to developing course syllabi, handouts, and materials supporting the instructional process; evaluate student progress and provide clear, timely feedback.
Participate in college, department, and general faculty meetings
Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
Use technology tools to enhance student learning in any learning environment.
Collaborate with other Paralegal Studies faculty and staff.
Participate in the college's professional development.
Maintain an effective working relationship with local legal community.
Commit to Tacoma Community College's mission and embrace the values of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Experience or demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning, and working environment that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Three years of work experience in a legal setting with Paralegal team members.
Ability to meet State of Washington vocational certification requirements.
Experience using online learning management software (LMS).
Ability to teach courses offered between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m

Preferred Qualifications

Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited college or university.
Current license to practice law in Washington.
Commitment to maintain a license to practice law in the State of Washington.
Experience teaching in higher education.
Online teaching experience including design, instruction, and assessment in an online learning environment.
Experience using Canvas or other LMS at an intermediate/advanced level.
Awareness of current trends in paralegal education, or experience supervising paralegal or legal assistant staff.

Required conditions of employment

Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.

The Successful Candidate will

Prepare and deliver courses at the associate level in the field of paralegal studies.
Work with faculty and staff on curriculum and program development incorporating current educational theories and research and integrating new and innovative approaches to instruction.
Develop and utilize a variety of instructional strategies appropriate to the needs of learners in any modality or classroom environment.
Evaluate student progress and provide clear, timely feedback using program criteria and expectations.
Maintain regular office hours according to the current CBA to improve student retention and success.
Support division and department goals.
Attend paralegal faculty meetings.
Engage in professional development to remain current in the legal field and in their teaching practice.
Support program activities required to maintain the program's ABA approval.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgement.
Commitment to the mission of Tacoma Community College.
Commitment to developing a diverse workforce for Pierce County.
Commitment to teaching in a community college setting and a strong awareness and appreciation of the benefits of diversity, cultural awareness, and sensitivity in the workplace.
Commitment to baccalaureate education in the community college setting.
Commitment to establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff representing diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work successfully with the varied and diverse students and staff of the college.
Dynamic, non-traditional delivery methods to teach students of widely varying levels of proficiency and from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
Experience using technology as an instructional aide to enhance learning.
Commitment to remain current in the field.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups from the community as well as students, staff, faculty, and administration.
Demonstrated strength in written and oral communication as well as listening.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Commitment to function as an effective team member.

Application Process

Application Materials & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following:

Tacoma Community College application form.
Cover letter and resume. In your cover letter indicate how your background and experience meets the qualifications for this position.
UNOFFICIAL Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended (official transcripts will be required for the successful candidate).

Terms of Employment

This is a part time faculty position contracted on a quarterly basis. Part time faculty salary range is per credit hour starting at $909.33 to $1,240.16. Salary ranges are subject to any approved COLA's after initial placement. If applicable, Lab credit hours are paid at 50% the credit hour rate. Professional Services hours are paid at a flat rate of $44.00-$44.00 per hour. Placement on the faculty salary schedule will commensurate with educational background and experience per the (Article 4.00 Academic Employee Compensation ). Part-time faculty may become eligible for healthcare and retirement benefits at the beginning of the second consecutive quarter of half-time or more employment at one or more Washington state institutions of higher education. Half time is determined based on each institution's definition of full time. Members may 'stack' workloads between other qualifying colleges. A part-time faculty member must qualify each quarter they teach, to maintain eligibility. Once eligible, part-time faculty will be notified of their benefit and retirement options. Tacoma Community College offers offers one personal leave day per academic year if the PTF have been awarded a multi-quarter appointment. Sick leave is awarded every quarter based on the full-time equivalent teaching percent. If eligibility requirements are met, a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: A collective bargaining agreement exist and membership in the TCC Federation of Teachers or payment of a service fee and is available anytime upon hire. Evening and off campus assignments may be a part of the instructional load. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the department. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, 253-566-5328. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.

Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466

Job Summary

Company

Tacoma Community College

Start Date

As soon as possible

Employment Term and Type

Regular, Part Time

Salary and Benefits

$909.33 - $1,240.16 Hourly

Required Education

Associate Degree

Required Experience

3+ years