Psychology - Associate Faculty Pool

Associate Faculty Position

The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College is accepting applications for associate faculty to teach for the Public Service & Social Science Department for the 2026/2027 academic year. The purpose of posting this position is to build a pool of qualified instructors interested in teaching a variety of Psychology courses, including General Psychology (PSYCH 100) and Lifespan Psychology (PSYCH 200) on the Mount Vernon campus in Mount Vernon, WA. This Associate Faculty position will instruct students seeking their degree in Psychology. Please note that this posting is reviewed and hired on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Candidates will be directly contacted by the department as employment opportunities arise.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities. Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities." SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all. SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide student and collegial support through developing and accessing learning outcomes and maintaining office hours;
• Deliver culturally appropriate curriculum that reflects the diversity of student experience;
• Express appropriate awareness of the history of underrepresented groups and promote an equitable work and learning environment;
• Create a positive learning environment for students using diverse teaching methods to support and enhance student success;
• Develop and incorporate contextualized Psychology curriculum and alternative delivery methods that respond to the diverse needs of the community and students;
• Provide integrated class syllabi and course outlines to students and appropriate departments;
• Assist in developing, assessing, and analyzing program outcomes;
• Assess, monitor, and document student performance;
• Fulfill part-time faculty responsibilities in accordance with the negotiated agreement and Skagit Valley College policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Communicate effectively in oral and written English;
• Familiarity with active learning strategies inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds;
• Adapt to a variety of teaching situations;
• Utilize a variety of teaching strategies that facilitate student learning;
• Strong leadership skills that include the ability to make sound decisions and delegate appropriately;
• Work and interact effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators, and others of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Impart a productive academic mindset that teaches all students—regardless of background—that they are capable of learning with practice and effort;
• Act according to the principles of integrity, respect, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree, equivalent education or higher, in Psychology or a closely related discipline;
• Teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Psychology or related field;
• College-level teaching experience.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds;
• Demonstrated commitment to promote equitable access and educational achievement of diverse students;
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative teaching and learning.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits: The salary rate for part-time faculty is in accordance with the negotiated agreement and may be subject to change based on legislative mandates. In order to be eligible for benefits, state regulations must be met. Rate of Pay: Faculty compensation units (FCU) are computed by total hours (lecture, lab, clinical) identified on the approved course outline for a given course divided by eleven (11). Associate faculty pay is computed by multiplying the faculty compensation unit rate by the number of faculty compensation units.

The current FCU rate for 2025-26 at Step A is $1,084.00 (includes I-732 COLA of 3.0% for 2025-26). Example of Associate Faculty pay (this is for illustrative purposes only):

• Course: BISC 220 | 33 lecture, 44 lab
• 33 + 44 = 77
• 7/11= 7 FCUs
• A Step A faculty member would be paid 7 x FCU rate $1,084.00 = $7,588.00

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official