Copper Mountain Community College (CMC), located in the high-desert community of Joshua Tree, California, serves as a vital educational hub for the Morongo Basin region. Established to provide accessible higher education, CMC offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs to over 2,500 students annually. Jobs at Copper Mountain Community College span faculty, staff, and administrative roles, emphasizing teaching excellence, student support, and community engagement. Whether you're seeking community college jobs as an instructor in nursing or a position in student services, CMC provides opportunities in a supportive environment tailored to California's diverse population.
The college's commitment to affordability and accessibility makes it an attractive employer for educators passionate about open-access education. Positions often involve innovative teaching methods, such as online and hybrid courses, reflecting the needs of working adults and first-generation students. With its small-campus feel, employees contribute directly to institutional goals like student success and equity.
Founded in 1966 as part of California's Master Plan for Higher Education, Copper Mountain Community College began as an extension center before becoming a full-fledged campus in 1989. Situated at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, the college has grown to encompass 140 acres, symbolizing resilience in the arid Mojave Desert. Over the decades, CMC has expanded programs in response to local needs, from vocational training in mining and renewable energy to liberal arts for university transfer.
This history informs its job landscape: early faculty helped pioneer workforce development, while today's roles build on that legacy with modern emphases like STEM and health sciences. Understanding this evolution helps prospective employees appreciate CMC's role in regional economic vitality, where jobs contribute to closing educational gaps in rural San Bernardino County.
CMC's divisions include Arts, Communication & Design; Business & Technology; Health Sciences & Education; Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences; Kinesiology, Wellness & Public Safety; and Science, Math & Engineering. High-demand jobs arise in health sciences (e.g., nursing instructors), STEM (math and biology adjuncts), and career technical education (CTE) like welding and emergency medical services.
For instance, the nursing program, accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing, frequently seeks registered nurses with teaching experience. Similarly, the business department hires for accounting and computer applications roles. These departments drive job postings, aligning with California's community college mission to offer pathways to bachelor's degrees and careers.
Common positions include full-time tenure-track faculty, adjunct professors, classified staff (e.g., custodians, technicians), and confidential/administrative roles like deans and directors. Faculty jobs focus on teaching 15 units per semester, advising students, and curriculum development. Administrative positions handle enrollment, financial aid, and facilities.
Explore university job types for details on these categories. Adjunct roles offer flexibility, ideal for those balancing multiple colleges, while full-time positions provide stability and benefits. Recent openings have included biology instructors and IT specialists, reflecting ongoing needs in growing programs.
To clarify key terms related to jobs at Copper Mountain Community College:
For faculty jobs at Copper Mountain Community College, minimum qualifications follow California's Minimum Qualifications for Faculty (MQs): typically a master's degree in the discipline (e.g., M.S. in Biology) or bachelor's plus professional experience for vocational fields. PhD preferred for transfer-level sciences but not required.
Research focus is applied rather than pure; faculty might lead student research in environmental science tied to the desert ecosystem or grants for solar energy projects. Preferred experience includes 2+ years community college teaching, publications in teaching journals, or grants like Title V for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Essential skills: cultural competency for diverse students (50% Latinx, 40% White), online teaching proficiency (using Canvas LMS), data-driven advising, and collaboration. Competencies like equity-mindedness ensure inclusive classrooms, aligning with CMC's student success initiatives.
The application process starts on the CMC HR website (cmccd.edu/hr), where you submit via NeoGov: cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, statement on diversity/equity/inclusion, and references. Screening committees review for minimum quals, followed by interviews (teaching demo, panel).
Actionable tips: Customize your cover letter to CMC's vision statement, highlight desert-region experience, prepare a 10-minute lesson demo, and reference how to write a winning academic CV. Network at California Community College events; apply early as postings close quickly. For adjuncts, email division deans directly.
CMC's EEO Plan 2022-2027 targets underrepresented groups through recruitment at HBCUs and women's colleges, implicit bias training, and the Equity & Diversity Advisory Committee. Examples: Basic Skills Initiative for underserved students, Pride Month events, and veteran support services. The college tracks disaggregated data to improve hiring equity, with 60% diverse faculty goal.
These efforts create inclusive workplaces, vital for jobs serving first-gen and low-income students.
Nestled in Joshua Tree, CMC offers stunning views and proximity to national park hiking, fostering wellness. Full-time faculty enjoy 10-month contracts ( summers off), flexible scheduling, and EAP counseling. Campus life includes Friday BBQs, art shows, and wellness fairs; small size (120 faculty/staff) builds strong collegiality.
Challenges like remote location are offset by low cost of living ($1,200 avg rent) and telework options. Employees praise supportive leadership and professional development funds ($2,000/year).
Ready to pursue jobs at Copper Mountain Community College? Browse higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or community college jobs. Employers can post a job today. For branding tips, see employer branding secrets and become a university lecturer. Check faculty jobs and adjunct professor jobs.
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