Communication Studies - Associate Instructor

Communication Studies - Associate Instructor

Cabrillo College

Salary: See Position Description
Job Type: Associate (Part-time)
Job Number: 2026-02132
Closing: 12/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: 6500 Soquel Drive/318 Union Street, Aptos/Watsonville, CA
Department: Communication Studies

Please apply for this job directly on the Cabrillo College job opportunities page here .

Employment Opportunity

Cabrillo College is accepting applications in order to fill temporary, part-time faculty assignment(s) and to establish an eligibility pool for positions that may become available in 2026 Fall Semester :

• General Communication Studies positions, with the particular possibility of COMM C1000 - Intro to Public Speaking

This associate position is open for application submission through the deadline date as noted above O R until the position has been filled . The locations for this position are in-person at our Aptos and/or Watsonville campuses, and may include other locations as needed, and may also include an online option as needed. Anticipated interviews will be in-person at our Aptos Campus, but is subject to change.

We need YOU! Cabrillo College is looking for Faculty to provide quality programs and services for a diverse student population, promoting ever-evolving needs as our students grow toward their individual aspirational goals. Cabrillo is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a special focus on enhancing the Latinx student experience. Come join our team, valuing high-level and innovative instruction, support services, a welcoming environment, and helping to change the world one student at a time!

The ideal candidate will share Cabrillo's commitment to educating its racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. Cabrillo College serves approximately 11,500+ students per term, For the 2024 Academic Year, 61% of Cabrillo students are members of minoritized populations, identifying themselves as LatinX (50%), Multi Ethnic (6%), Asian (3%), Black Non-Hispanic (1%), Filipino (<1%), American Indian/Alaskan Native (<1%) and Pacific Islander (<1%). At Cabrillo, 54.91% are economically disadvantaged. In 2006, Cabrillo College was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the great responsibility that the College has to the educational attainment and economic well-being of the surrounding community.

About the College : Situated on Monterey Bay in the county of Santa Cruz, California, Cabrillo College is highly regarded for its success of transfer and career education, and currently serves over 11,400 students each semester. Cabrillo College transfers many of its students to three nearby universities - the University of California at Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, and California State University at Monterey Bay. Cabrillo's career education is closely connected to the nearby agricultural and farming industries as well as the Silicon Valley business environment.

Faculty at Cabrillo College actively participate in curriculum development, program planning, and serve on participatory governance committees. Cabrillo provides an excellent opportunity to learn, collaborate, create, and make a difference in the lives of its diverse student body and community.

About the Department: For more information on our Communications Department, click on this link
About Associate Faculty Requirements: At the time of appointment for this position, Cabrillo College requires employees to maintain residence and permanently reside within the state of California. Candidates must understand when applying that at the time of appointment, they will need to have moved to the State of California (if applicable). Candidates must also understand that Associate Faculty assignments are considered short-term and temporary; employment for this short-term and temporary position may be terminated by the District as permitted by Education Code Section 87665 and the CCFT bargaining unit agreement.

Examples of Duties

• Teach assigned classes, which may include evening or off-campus assignments
• Engage in participatory governance committees, processes, research, service, and initiatives such as Guided Pathways
• Maintain timely and accurate records of student enrollment, attendance, and academic progress
• Provide academic assistance and related services to students during scheduled office hours
• Cooperate with and participate as may be required in District investigations and/or student grievance matters of alleged unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff
• Complete required District trainings such as Title IX, Mandated Reporter, EEO/Diversity/Elimination of Bias, Workplace Safety, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience :

• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation, of community college students, faculty and staff AND
• Master's in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication or organizational communication OR
• Bachelor's in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication or organizational communicatio AND a Master's in drama/ theater arts, mass communication or English OR
• Possess a lifetime California Community College Instructor credential in Communication Studies OR
• The Equivalent
  • The state of California has established minimum qualifications for academic positions in California Community Colleges to promote professionalism, instructional integrity, and academic rigor. Each discipline has specific, approved degree majors that are listed above. You must complete, sign, and attach an Equivalency Form with your application if your degree major does not match one of the disciplines listed above . This form allows Cabrillo College's Equivalency Committee to review your education and/or professional experience to determine whether it is equivalent in level, content, and rigor to the required degree. Applications cannot be considered without a completed Equivalency Form, even if your degree is closely related .
    • For example: If the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) list a Master's in Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences, and your degree is in Geosciences or Earth and Environmental Studies , you must request equivalency by submitting the form with your application.
  • TO REQUEST EQUIVALENCY :
    • Complete the Equivalency Form and attach it to your application.
    • Be sure to attach supporting documents such as unofficial transcripts, course descriptions, certificates, or verification of professional experience.
  • Still completing your degree?
    • Applicants currently finishing their degree(s) are welcome to apply! However, they must also submit an Equivalency Form with unofficial transcripts.
    • This requirement also applies to applicants who have completed all coursework but are awaiting official degree conferral.

Required Professional Expertise :

• Currency and depth of knowledge in the applicable professional field
• Knowledge of and commitment to teaching strategies and practices that enhance student success at community colleges, including effective use of technology
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to teach the courses or perform the duties effectively as described above
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well with students of diverse academic, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds; gender identities, sexual orientations; and students with disabilities
• Evidence of professional activities and service beyond the primary teaching assignment
• Development and review of curriculum as well as including assessment of learning
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
• Demonstrated responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices in the classroom
• Demonstrated ability to reflect critically on institutional and teaching practices that aim to increase cultural responsiveness
• Knowledge and understanding of the accountability and critical dimensions of equity
• Demonstrated ability addressing issues of equity in the classroom

Desired Qualifications/Performance Expectations:

• Successful teaching experience at the community college level
• Demonstrated ability to employ innovative teaching techniques and methodologies
• Experience teaching diverse student populations
• Successful online teaching experience
• Knowledge of culturally-responsive pedagogical teaching techniques and effective ways for engaging students who are historically under-represented and under-served.

For additional information please review our Applicant Resources page here .

Additional Information

Starting Salary: $1,665 - $2,556 per teaching unit, per semester; salary placement determined by documented education and experience; maximum initial salary step placement on the Associate faculty salary schedule is step 9 . An annual doctoral stipend of $111 per unit is granted to eligible associate faculty. Assignments may be at various campus locations; days, evenings, and/or weekends; hours to be arranged.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Faculty employees are required to join the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) and as such contribute to CalSTRS on a pre-tax basis. Position scheduled to begin at the start of the semester needed, or as needed, pending Governing Board ratification. Salary is subject to proration based on the beginning date of assignment. Cabrillo is unable to sponsor work visas.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete the application with a minimum of three (3) professional references and answer all supplemental questions; provide detailed information to aid in determining the minimum qualification requirements have been met

1. Attach resume or CV detailing teaching and work experience
2. Attach one of the following:
   
   • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended displaying any degrees conferred (copies, scans, photos, and downloads are acceptable). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an approved agency (at the applicant's expense) OR
   • Copy of a Lifetime California Community College Instructor credential in subject area OR
   • Completed and signed Equivalency Form - click here (optional). Submit this form with supporting materials if you do not possess the minimum qualifications as listed in the job announcement and feel you have the equivalent education and/or experience.

Attention Applicants
Only completed applications with the above required documents will be reviewed by the committee ; additional documents will not be reviewed by the committee. Remove personally identifiable information such as personal photos, social security number, birth date, age, and gender from your application materials. Expenses related to the recruitment process are the responsibility of the applicant. Cabrillo is unable to sponsor work visas.

Questions? Concerns? Please contact HR as Departments, Divisions, and Committee Members are unable to discuss active recruitments with potential candidates.

Selection Procedure

This associate position is open through the deadline date as noted above OR until the position has been filled. A search committee will review application materials and invite applicants for an interview. Meeting the posted requirements does not guarantee an interview.

Conditions of Employment

Selected candidates given a conditional offer of employment are required to submit tuberculosis screening clearance results, official transcripts, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and present their Social Security card upon hire (for payroll purposes). Cabrillo College is an E-Verify employer.

EEO Statement

Cabrillo College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of qualified applicants. The policy of the College is to encourage applications from all persons. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, color, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, medical conditions, status or protected veteran status.

Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to complete the employment process must notify Human Resources at View email address on communitycolleges.academickeys.com .

To apply, please visit

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