Adjunct Faculty, Fiddle and Mandolin Instructor

About The College


Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit

About Our Community

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit:


General Description of Work

Position Title: Adjunct Faculty, Fiddle and Mandolin Instructor

Classification: Faculty

FTE: Varies, course assignment dependent

Schedule: Varies, course assignment dependent

FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt

Teaching Modality: In person


Job Summary

The Adjunct Faculty, Fiddle and Mandolin Instructor will teach within the Music program beginning Fall quarter 2026.

The successful candidate will:

• Maintain an active performing career.
• Strong skills as an improvisor.
• Have experience teaching bluegrass fiddle and mandolin.
• Use student-centered, inclusive pedagogy and teaching methods.
• Engage in collaborative communication practices and activities with students and colleagues.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• This Adjunct Faculty position reports to the Dean for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Prepare and implement learning materials for MUSC 150 and MUSC 250 Applied Music fiddle and mandolin students, focused on student development or preparation for university-level transfer auditions, as needs dictate. .
• Communicate with Discipline Lead and colleagues in preparation for quarterly student performances.
• Read and respond to emails from students, faculty and staff.
• Develop, prepare, and deliver high quality, evidence-based education and promote the development of qualified students to help prepare them for the future.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with faculty and administrators to support program development and continuous improvement.
• Apply current subject matter expertise and remain up to date in the field to ensure relevant, workforce aligned curriculum.
• Uses student centered, inclusive, and innovative teaching practices to support diverse learners.
• Will teach in-person.
• Assess student learning and provide feedback, contributing to a positive learning environment.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the discipline, including current research, trends, and developments in the field.
• Knowledge of pedagogical theories, instructional design, and relevant accreditation standards and higher education regulations.
• Skill in effective teaching, classroom facilitation, and classroom management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues in team-based, committee, or interdisciplinary settings.
• Ability to engage, motivate, and support diverse student populations through adaptable and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Ability to assess student performance fairly, provide constructive feedback, and manage sensitive or complex student situations with professionalism.
• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is completed primarily in the classroom environment. Position will sometimes perform standard office tasks and operate standard office equipment. Position may be required to traverse or travel across campus to other on campus buildings for any applicable meetings or needs.


Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in music, or closely related field.
• Experience teaching bluegrass fiddle and mandolin.
• Evidence of an active performing career.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in music.
• Three or more years experience teaching bluegrass styles.
• Experience performing as both soloist and ensemble member or leader.
• Experience designing, delivering, and assessing curriculum using evidence-based, student-centered, equity-minded, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and support diverse and historically underserved student populations, incorporating feedback to improve learning outcomes.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills, with experience working in team-based environments.
• Leadership experience and a demonstrated commitment to the mission and role of community colleges.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review.

Salary

Salary:

• $770.00 per student, for fall quarter 2026.

Benefit:

• Accrues a percentage of 7 hours (equal to the percentage of workload) per month of sick leave (ex. 50% quarterly employment contract x 7 hrs for full-time = 3.5 hrs per month for that quarter).

Start Date:

• Fall quarter 2026. Quarter begins on September 22 nd , 2026.

Application Due Date:

• For best consideration, applications packets should be received as soon as possible. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Letter of application detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals, and the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

• Current resume.
• Unofficial Transcripts for all earned degrees; official transcripts required prior to the official start date.
• List of five recent professional references with contact information.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities .


EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io or email: View email address on click.appcast.io , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io or email: View email address on click.appcast.io , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io, email: View email address on click.appcast.io , or Washington Relay: 711