Part-time Instructor: Dental Assisting

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Part-time Instructor: Dental Assisting

Position Type: Instructor

College: Pikes Peak State College

Location: Colorado Springs

Salary Range: 81.66 per contact hour

 

Who We Are:

Pikes Peak State College is the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region, serving students with a wide range of goals, experiences, and responsibilities. Our students include recent high school graduates, working adults, military-affiliated students, parents, first-generation students, career changers, transfer students, and lifelong learners.

Our mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs. We fulfill that mission by creating affordable, flexible, and accessible pathways that help students transfer to four-year institutions, enter the workforce, advance their careers, and build better futures close to home.

As the needs of our students, employers, and communities continue to evolve, so do we. PPSC embraces innovation that is human-centered, ethical, and focused on student learning. Through strong workforce partnerships and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, we prepare students not only for today's opportunities, but for what's next.

We're looking for people who are passionate about access, collaboration, innovation, and student success. Whether you work in the classroom or behind the scenes, your contributions help create opportunities that change lives.
At PPSC, our vision is simple: Students Succeed at PPSC.

 

Job Summary:

Part-time instructor positions (as defined by State Board Policy, BP 3-10) exist to create and maintain a teaching and learning environment that empowers students to be successful. Part-time instructors work under the direction of their respective Department Chair, Associate Dean, or Division Dean. 

The PPSC Dental Center is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest equipment and simulation technology to be the state leader in modern dental hygiene and dental assisting education. The part-time instructor, in collaboration with the Dental Assisting Department Chair and other faculty, will be integral in the success of the program. Consistent with the Dental Assisting Program values of community built on learning, mutual respect, and diversity, the candidate should demonstrate strong skills in team building and collaboration across the dental and health sciences disciplines. The ideal candidate will be a welcoming and enthusiastic individual focused on student success by incorporating an innovative teaching approach.

Pikes Peak State College maintains a pool of qualified part-time instructors. Part-time instructors will be selected to support departmental requirements. Part-time instructors may be employed to teach courses, conduct presentations or other service activities when current instructors and faculty are not available.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.  All work must be performed in the State of Colorado.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Instruction and Student Engagement

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to effective teaching and student learning.
• Employs a variety of evidence-based instructional strategies to support diverse learning styles and levels of student motivation.
• Uses flexible, inclusive, and student-centered teaching approaches to promote engagement and academic success.
• Encourages students to set and achieve academic and professional goals.
• Relates course content to real-world dental assisting practice.
• Maintains a positive, respectful, and empathetic learning environment that supports student success.

Classroom, Laboratory, Pre-Clinical, and Clinical Performance

• Plans, organizes, and delivers course content aligned with approved course objectives and program outcomes.
• Communicates course material clearly and effectively in classroom, laboratory, preclinical, and clinical settings.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for both the subject matter and the faculty role.
• Integrates instructional technology and learning management systems to enhance student learning and competency development.
• Maintains appropriate classroom and clinical order, professionalism, infection control, and safety standards.
• Practices resource conservation by avoiding the wasteful use of supplies, utilities, equipment and other resources.
• Instructs and supervises students in the practice of resource conservation.

Course Materials, Preparation, and Assessment

• Develops, maintains, and updates course syllabi in accordance with College, State, and CODA requirements.
• Collaborates with the Dental Assisting Department Chair to develop and maintain laboratory, preclinical, and clinical schedules.
• Reviews and updates course materials to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current professional standards.
• Clearly communicates course objectives, expectations, grading criteria, and evaluation methods to students in writing.
• Utilizes appropriate assessment strategies aligned with course content and learning outcomes.
• Incorporates supplemental instructional resources and technology to support student learning.
• Participates in department and college-level assessment of student learning outcomes as required.

Student Support and Instructional Management

• Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential student records in accordance with College policies and procedures.
• Meets all assigned classes and instructional responsibilities as scheduled.
• Submits required reports, documentation, and instructional materials in a timely manner.
• Attends required department, and calibration meetings.

Professionalism and Collaboration

• Maintains current knowledge of discipline-specific practices, licensure requirements, and pedagogical best practices.
• Collaborates effectively and professionally with faculty, staff, administrators, and clinical partners.
• Communicates respectfully and constructively when problem-solving or addressing concerns.
• Works to resolve conflicts in an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism.
• Contributes to a collegial, inclusive, and student-centered educational environment.

Program, Department, and College Contributions

• Assists with curriculum review, revision, development, and implementation within the department.
• Supports the development and maintenance of course outlines and syllabi.
• Supports and participates in program advisory committee activities as appropriate.
• Supports the development and implementation of alternative instructional delivery methods (e.g., online or hybrid formats) as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Dental Center Director, Dean, Vice President for Instructional Services, or College President.

Competencies/KSAs:

Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, and deliver appropriate curriculum.

Demonstrates ability to employ qualitative and quantitative analytical skills in the classroom.

Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrates ability to maintain accurate written student records as required by policy and procedure.

Demonstrates ability to inform students of all course requirements.

Demonstrates ability to evaluate students and offer feedback on a continuing basis.

Demonstrates ability to relate to student concerns and maintain open communication.

Demonstrates ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Demonstrated three years of experience as a restorative assistant.

Demonstrated three years of experience with CAD CAM crown design, milling and seating.

Current CPR certification.

Must possess or be eligible to obtain a Colorado Career and Technical Education Teaching Credential.

Must possess strong proficiency in various dental related technologies and software programs or the ability and willingness to train in these areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated five years of experience as a restorative assistant.

Demonstrated five years of experience with CAD CAM crown design, milling and seating.

One year of year of post-secondary teaching or tutoring experience.

Selection Process:

Prior submission of application materials will not be considered. 

Visa support is not available for this position.

Part-time instructors are hired to teach on a temporary, as needed basis. Instructors may be employed per academic semester. Instructors are at-will and subject to the terms of their appointment.

Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.  

Application Instructions: 

Application must be submitted online. Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration. A complete application will include:

Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

Additional Information/Benefits:  

Work Life Balance 

Pikes Peak State College instructors educate students as part-time employees. Course assignments may include teaching day and/or evening classes, face-to-face modality, and asynchronous online as needed across multiple campus locations.  

Retirement 

Pikes Peak State College participates in Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates. State employees are required to a mandatory contribution of a percentage of their salary to the plan, and the college contributes a percentage as well. While you are enrolled in PERA, you do not pay Social Security. In addition, there are supplemental retirement plans available through three other vendors.  

Leave Programs 

Instructors earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. 

Instructors are eligible for the Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).