What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communication Studies Instructor position at Umpqua Community College?
The part-time faculty members of Umpqua Community College are committed to facilitating learning using the most up to date pedagogy, technology, and discipline specific knowledge. All faculty are responsible for teaching in all modalities and keeping current in new modalities that develop in higher education. Although facilitating learning is the most important role of the faculty, the needs of learners are also served when faculty are engaged in service to the college and student support activities. The following responsibilities and activities are listed in order to maintain consistency in the application of expectations and alignment of job duties with evaluation and promotion procedures.
While we are currently hiring for Winter 2027 instructional needs, this recruitment remains open year-round, allowing us to connect with qualified professionals as instructional needs arise. Applications are reviewed throughout the year, and qualified candidates may be contacted when teaching opportunities become available.
Teaching and Learning Responsibilities
UCC part-time faculty members are expected to meet the educational needs of the community by fulfilling the following responsibilities:
- Teach course-load as assigned using appropriate methodologies and discipline area expertise.
- Use Canvas effectively (the UCC LMS) for all credit courses to include:
- Use of canvas grade book
- Posting of syllabus
- Posting of course materials
- Posting of learning support materials that lead to student success may include but are not limited to recorded lectures, discussion boards, Open Educational Resources, announcements, and academic and student support information.
- Facilitate student achievement of course, program, and institutional learning outcomes established by UCC
- Continuously improve course and program curriculum, informed by student learning outcome data
- Complete all academic assessments, data analysis, and curricular improvement reporting as required
- Develop rapport with students that is professional and encourages teacher/learner communication in support of achieving expected learning outcomes
- Remain current with technological and pedagogical advances that promote continuous improvement of teaching and learning
- Participate fully in one's own performance review, evaluation, and plans for professional growth in support of student learning
Professional Responsibilities
- Comply with all department guidelines and college policies
- Support the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the College, using the governance structure of the institution to enact change where appropriate
- Maintain any required professional certification or licensure in the appropriate academic or technical discipline
- Maintain and publicly post office hours
- Certify student attendance in classes by the established deadline for financial aid purposes
- Use the Early Alert System with consistency
- Submit mid-term and/or final grades by the deadline established by the Records and Registration department
- Participate in orientation and recruiting activities as is reasonable.
- Attend and participate in program, discipline, in-service, and campus meetings
- Meet yearly with supervisor to review the year and set goals
Organizational Relationships
UCC recognizes that student learning is greatly enhanced by successful collaboration among faculty, staff, and administration. Part-time faculty will report to the appropriate Dean or designee and are expected to behave with a high level of professionalism and teamwork in order to cooperate with other faculty, work with student services personnel in advisement of students, work with any external partners and work cooperatively with academic services, student services, and administrative services personnel.
Commensurate with State of Oregon requirements of respective academic and/or technical field.
Required Qualifications:Educational qualifications may be met in one of the following ways:
- Master’s degree in Communication Studies - General or Speech Communication and Rhetoric from a regionally accredited college or university is highly preferred.
- Other Master’s degree with at least 9 quarter credits at the undergraduate level in Communication studies plus at least 12 quarter credits at the graduate level in Communication Studies.
- Applicants in progress for a Master’s degree who have completed a minimum of 18 quarter credits of coursework in Communication Studies or Rhetoric may also be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3 – 5 years current community college teaching experience in Communication Studies is preferred.
- Experience teaching in multiple modalities, including in person and online is preferred.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
For full consideration applicants must submit with their application all of the following:
- A cover letter which addresses your interest in Umpqua Community College and how you would excel in this position.
- Current resume that includes educational and professional work experience.
- A list of 3 professional references listing contact information including email address.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE STATEMENT:
Umpqua Community College provides employment preference to qualified veterans in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be given only if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position and electronically attaches the required documentation at the time of application.
Required Documentation:
Applicants claiming veteran's presence must submit one of the following:
- Member Copy 4 of the Certificate of Released or Discharged from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or
- Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs including receipt of a non-service connected pension. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans Disability Preference Letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Request military service records: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
- Veterans Preference information: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx
UCC prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity, or operation of the College. The College also prohibits retaliation against an individual for engaging in activity protected under this policy and interfering with rights or privileges granted under anti-discrimination laws.
Employment with Umpqua Community College is contingent upon background check approval.