West Valley-Mission Community College District Hiring for Paralegal Full-Time Instructor at Saratoga, CA Full Time

Position Title:

Paralegal Full-Time Instructor

How many positions are you recruiting for?:

1

Campus:

West Valley College

Definition:

West Valley College (WVC) is now accepting applications for a full-time, tenure-track instructor position in Che School of Professional Studies, requiring the ability to teach courses from Paralegal Studies. We are currently seeking applicants who have successful experience and a genuine interest in serving a wide range of students from different backgrounds, with a particular focus in serving students from historically excluded and marginalized groups.

West Valley College is a community of equity-minded educators who strive to be change agents. We are committed to providing education and access to opportunities that transform students’ lives. WVC utilizes community college education to enact generational change and economic prosperity for those who are systemically disadvantaged in our local communities. As a faculty member at West Valley College, you will have access to numerous equity-centered professional development resources, such as the Fostering a Culture of Belonging Community of Practice, LGBTQ+ Inclusion Workshops, and online education and accessibility training. The college leadership intentionally builds teams, structures and environments that support faculty who themselves come from historically minoritized communities.

West Valley College continues to build plans, programs, and infrastructure to address inequities in higher education. A few notable programs and efforts include Umoja (learning community focused on the Black/African American experience); Puente (learning community focused on the Latinx experience); Pride Center; El Centro Center; Black/African American Center; TRIO Student Support Services (first-generation/low income) program; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Support Program; MESA- Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (first-generation/low income STEM students); Veterans Resource Center; Disability and Educational Support Programs; and the Democracy Institute.

WVC Equity and Inclusion Preamble

West Valley College is committed to addressing inequities and injustices both societally and institutionally, and recognizes that higher education, and our institution, has 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 that will transform individuals, the institution, and the greater community. As a collective community, we embrace accountability and will take action with love, courage, grace, humility, and a commitment to learning and unlearning.

About the College and District

West Valley College is in beautiful Saratoga, California, on Muwekma Ohlone land. The 143-acre community college campus in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains and located at the southwest boarder of Silicon Valley is less than 15-minutes from San Jose. The campus and community are in a serene tree-filled locale, serving the Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, and nearby San Jose communities. The students and employees represent vibrant and diverse backgrounds of cultures, races, disabilities/abilities, genders, ages, religions, and other identities. The student body of over 8,600 students is 23% Asian, 2% Black/African American, 31% Latinx, 8% Multiracial, nearly 1% Native American, nearly 1% Pacific Islander, 4% White-Middle Eastern, and 33% White. The students are also diverse in age with 72% under 24 years old, 24% are 25-54, and 4% are 55 or over. Additionally, 12% identify as disabled.

West Valley College is part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District along with Mission College. The West Valley-Mission Community College District unites the colleges in a shared vision of educational excellence where students representing diverse experiences and identities feel connected and supported in pursuit of their goals and aspirations. The District is excited to launch its Free College Initiative in January 2024 where residents receive waived tuition and fees. West Valley College is about to celebrate 60 years of service to students and the community. WVC offers 122 associate degree and certificate programs within its six schools; School of Science & Math, School of Health & Human Development, School of Language Arts & Social Sciences, School of Continuing Education, School of Professional Studies, and the School of Art & Design. In 2022-23 WVC awarded 2,130 degrees and certificates and had 672 students transfer. WVC was named a 2023 Equity Champion of Higher Education for Latinx Students for exemplary work in implementing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) by The Campaign for College Opportunity. Additionally, WVC has 12 intercollegiate athletic teams including the award-winning Women’s and men’s Water Polo teams, and Beach Volleyball.

Saratoga and the South Bay area have nearly perfect sunny weather year-round and have robust culturally diverse communities where food, art, athletics, and cultural events are plentiful. Saratoga is less than an hour from San Francisco and Oakland.

About the Position

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 Fall 2024. Instructional assignments may include day and/or evening classes, Monday through Saturday, as needed and rotate among the Paralegal faculty. It is expected that over several semesters, all levels of Paralegal 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

Salary and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range:

• $83,274 to $134,386 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:

Education & Experience – Possess any one of the following:

1. Any bachelor’s degree or higher AND two years of professional experience; OR
2. Any associate degree AND six years of professional experience; OR
3. A valid California Community College Instructor’s Credential in the discipline; OR
4. The equivalent of the above; AND
5. 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:

• Broad general knowledge and experience in law and the paralegal field
• Teaching experience preferred
• Current experience within the paralegal/legal field
• Appropriate certification/license to practice
• Current training in the paralegal or related field including the area of patent prosecution and intellectual property law
• Active involvement in a professional or law organizations (PASCCO,ABA)
• Computer literacy in legal software, on-line legal research tools, and application programs
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from other disciplines, student groups, college support services and community/advisory groups
• Commitment to participation in department activities and the shared governance of 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.

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.

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, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements.
• 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 not identical to the required state or local qualifications must apply for equivalency by completing the equivalency form, which is part of the application package. See Equivalency Information below.
• 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.

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 assistance, contact:
Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment
14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 867-9059
Email: [email protected]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.

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.Posting Number:

FY22/23-171FT

Open Date:

12/21/2023

Close Date:

02/29/2024

Open Until Filled:

No