PT POOL - Astronomy & Physics Instructor

PT POOL - Astronomy & Physics Instructor

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Salary Range: Lecture Rate: $88.40 - $102.33, depending upon education.

Job Type: Part Time

Job Number: AC26-01453

Location: 1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA

Division: SAC Science Math & Health Sciences

Closing: 5/31/2027 5:00 PM Pacific

POSITION DETAILS

About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is one of the most established districts in the state and has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is one of the largest of California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves a population of more than 700,000 residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin, and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundations are actively involved in supporting both community and campus programs.
RSCCD's student population is a direct reflection of the diverse communities in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a whole, the district has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students: 51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% are African American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresented students. There is a commitment to foster student centered values among our employees to provide equitable student learning, academic excellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-quality educational programs and student support services, the district ensures that students have the appropriate resources to achieve their goals.

At RSCCD, our mission is to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice into all aspects of student academics and employee relations. Thus, creating transformational experiences that prepares students and employees to engage in the world with a renewed sense-of-self. Through this commitment, Rancho Santiago Community College District strives to cultivate a learning environment that prioritizes respect, to ensure that RSCCD stakeholders feel valued and supported throughout their academic and professional careers.

About the Position
The Division seeks to establish a roster of eligible candidates for part-time, temporary, hourly teaching positions during the

Fall 2026
and

Spring 2027
semesters as needed. The Hiring Administrator will draw from this pool of applicants when there is a requirement for temporary assignments. If your qualifications match our needs, the division dean or department chair will reach out to you to arrange an interview. Please refrain from contacting the Recruitment Office for updates on your application status.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college student populations, including those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD's mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling students to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.

Candidates will cultivate an inclusive classroom culture that engages and supports a diverse student population. They should effectively teach students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with disabilities or differing academic preparation levels. Candidates should show sensitivity to diverse learning needs and a commitment to equity and anti-racism. They will help empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.

General Responsibilities
Teach all assigned classes, which may include evening or off-campus assignments unless excused according to Board Policy provisions. Maintain accurate records of student enrollment, attendance, and academic progress. Assist in maintaining course outline for each assigned course. Be familiar with and observe the administrative regulations as they appear in the Faculty Handbook (flex calendar obligations, course overviews, etc). Participate in department committees and activities. Will teach a variety of courses/levels within the discipline/area of study.

QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications
(Applicants must meet one of the following):

• Possess from an accredited institution: Master's in physics, astronomy or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics, OR
• Possess a valid California Community College credential, OR
• The equivalent (applicants who do not meet the above minimum qualifications must complete the Equivalencies Section in the application form).
  • Equivalencies that the Department accepts as valid: Successful completion of all coursework necessary for the required master's or doctoral degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, successful progress in his/her thesis or dissertation project with the defense taking place prior to the beginning of the term AND upon recommendation of the candidate's thesis advisor or evidence of the expected date of the degree being awarded.

Additional Qualifications

• Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
• A working knowledge of and experience with student learning outcomes and assessment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This position is to fill part-time, temporary, hourly assignments on an as-needed basis. To ensure full consideration, all applicants must submit a complete online Rancho Santiago Community College District application that includes the items listed below.

A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:

1. RSCCD Online Application
2. Cover Letter
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume - details all relevant education, training, and teaching experience (including courses taught), and other work experience
4. Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).

Foreign Degrees

Transcripts from countries other than the United States must be evaluated by an agency that is approved by or a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service ( NACES ) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ), or Commission on Teacher Credentialing ( CTC ).

Application Screening
In addition to the requirements and responsibilities listed, the following criteria will be considered in selecting candidates for interviews:

• Educational experience - breadth and depth
• Work experience - breadth and depth
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities
• Curriculum development
• Program development
• Community involvement
• Demonstrated experience in working with a diverse socioeconomic community
• Credentials or minimum qualifications authorizing service in other areas of need
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others

Based on the information presented in the application materials, a limited number of candidates with qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a written test and an oral interview.
Meeting the position's minimum requirements does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. Candidate qualifications will be assessed to determine those who meet and exceed requirements and are deemed the most competitive in the applicant pool.

Interview
Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the interview date. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:

• Oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem-solving skills
• Successful teaching, problem-solving, or performance demonstration
• Writing skills/demonstration

A predetermined set of questions will be asked of all applicants interviewed. Applicants are requested to provide thorough yet concise information on their related experience to ensure the correct evaluation of their qualifications. Evaluation criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants.

Disability Accommodations
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling View phone number on communitycolleges.academickeys.com.

Conditions of Employment
The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:

1. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
2. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam (TB).
3. Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate's expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)
4. Submit official transcripts.
5. Submit official verification of employment letters.

EEO STATEMENT

The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District's workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.

RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To apply, please visit