Communication Studies - Part-Time Faculty

Who We Are Tacoma Community College (TCC) is a public two-year institution that serves a diverse population of approximately 14,000 students. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our stated mission is to create meaningful and relevant learning, inspire greater equity, and celebrate success in our lives and in our communities. We are recognized nationally as an Achieving the Dream “Leader College,” and 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: 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 underrepresented 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: https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/life_in_tacoma Part-Time Faculty positions at the college are open continuous 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 Highlights This position is responsible for preparing and teaching courses in Communication Studies. Essential Functions Prepare, teach, and assess outcomes in assigned courses in accordance with department and college standards Assess student learning and use data to improve teaching and learning Maintain current knowledge in the field of composition and effective pedagogy Perform related duties as assigned. Minimum QualificationsMaster's degree in Communication Studies, Speech, or closely related field from an accredited college or university Conditions of EmploymentSuccessful completion of a criminal background check. The Successful Candidate Must DemonstrateEthics, integrity, and sound professional judgment Commitment to ensuring equitable access within the learning environment, including but not limited to considerations related to cost; universal design for learning (UDL); and the integration of culturally relevant teaching practices Commitment to and respect for diverse views and opinions in the classroom and in the workplace Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff from diverse backgrounds Commitment to developing and implementing instructional strategies and practices that enhance student success, particularly those that support and enhance outcomes for traditionally underserved populations Ability to integrate non-traditional delivery methods, as appropriate, to teach students of varying backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles Competence to teach a variety of courses and to review and develop curriculum. Effective classroom management skills, including the ability to facilitate and navigate challenging conversations related to differing points of view Commitment to integrating educational technologies as an instructional aid in and out of the classroom Commitment to functioning as an effective team member Commitment to participate in ongoing academic and professional work to strengthen the department, division, campus and our community Commitment to professional growth. Qualifications Application Materials & Procedures Complete application packages must include the following: Tacoma Community College online application. Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications. UNOFFICIAL copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. 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 $1,208.89 to $1,422.22 . 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 2024 Faculty Negotiated Agreement(Download PDF reader) (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: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. 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 http://www/tacomacc.edu/about/employment The benefits information presented on this page is a summary of College provided benefits. This information is subject to change and is subject to the provisions of any legislative mandates and College policy changes. For more detailed information about Tacoma Community College (TCC) benefits, please do not hesitate to contact the College benefits coordinator at (253) 566-5024. TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System Eligibility Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources. Effective Date of Coverage Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately. Health Insurance Medical Plans Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction. Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024 Resources: PEBB Website Medical Plan information PEBB Medical Plan Comparison Dental Plans Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents. Resource: Dental Plan Comparison Vision Covered under medical plan chosen. Waiving Medical Coverage If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan. Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & LimitedPurpose FSA FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses. Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia. The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses. Resource: Navia Benefit Solutions Life Insurance Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date. Basic Coverage: $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee. Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s): Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee. Resource: MetLife Life Insurance Long Term Disability(LTD) Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee. Supplemental LTD: Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee. Resource: PEBB Long-Term Disability Insurance PAID LEAVE Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays. Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays. Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays. Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next. If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays. Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month. All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave. RETIREMENT Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC. Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly: Classified employees and eligible part-time hourly employees must choose between the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3. More information about these plans can be found at this link: Department of Retirement Systems Plans Faculty: Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice. Click here to compare TRS Plan 2, TRS Plan 3, and SBRP. SBRP -TIAA – This is a Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age. TRS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation. TRS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part. Administrative/Exempt Employees Administrators and Exempt employees may choose to participate in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP), administered by TIAA, or the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3, administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Prior history in a Washington State Retirement Plan may limit plan choice. Click here to compare PERS Plan 2, PERS Plan 3, and SBRP. SBRP/TIAA – This is a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age. PERS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation. PERS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part. PERS Rates Effective September 1, 2023 TRS Rates Effective September 1, 2023. State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) - Contributions Rates: Contributions are based on your age: Voluntary Retirement Savings: State Board Voluntary Investment Program (SBVIP): SBVIP is a voluntary, optional, unmatched retirement savings plan, operating under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), administered by TIAA. SBVIP participants may contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) basis, up to the annual IRS limit and can start and stop their contributions at any time during employment. Contact Human Resources to start/stop contributions. Deferred Compensation Program (DCP): Tax-deferred savings plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. New Full-timeemployees are automatically enrolled in DCP 3 months after hire at a contribution rate of 3%. Employees are sent a notification letter within approximately 30 days of hire. This notice includes information about auto-enrollment and the necessary steps to take if one chooses to opt-out or make changes to their DCP enrollment. Contributions can be changed at any time during employment. Following the initial auto- enrollment possibility, employees would contact DRS to setup contributions and can contribute on a pre- tax basis up to the annual IRS limit. Tuition Waiver Administrative, Classified, Full-time Faculty, and Part-Time faculty employed for more than 50% FTE are eligible to register for space-available classes, up to 10 credits per quarter, with the State Employee Tuition Waiver program. Class registration and any applicable class fee will still apply. Click here for the Tuition Waiver form(Download PDF reader). Liberty Mutual PEBB members may receive a discount of up to 12% off Liberty Mutual’s auto insurance rates and up to 5% off of Liberty Mutual’s home insurance rates. Contact Liberty Mutual at 1-800-706-5525 and mention that you are a State of Washington PEBB Member (client 8246) or visit a local Liberty Mutual office and let them know you are State of Washington PEBB Member (client 8246) for a quote. Collective Bargaining Agreements: WFSE Higher Education Community College Coalition: WFSE (HE CCC) CBA(Download PDF reader) WPEA Higher Education: WPEA CBA(Download PDF reader) WFSE Represented Exempt Bargaining Unit: WFSE-Exempt CBA TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement: TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement 01 Which best describes your level of education? High School graduate or equivalent Some College Associates degree from an accredited college or university Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university Masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university 02 Is the field or discipline of your degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas; Communication Studies, Speech or closely related field? Yes No 03 Please describe your teaching experience. 04 Please describe your experience assessing student learning and use of data to improve teaching and learning outcomes. 05 Please describe your process of maintaining current knowledge in the field of composition and effective pedagogy. Required Question