Napa Valley College (NVC), located in the heart of California's renowned Napa Valley, is a vibrant community college serving over 6,500 students annually. Established in 1942, NVC has grown into a key educational hub offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Jobs at Napa Valley College span faculty, administrative, and support roles, attracting professionals passionate about community-focused higher education. The college's emphasis on workforce development, particularly in viticulture and enology due to its wine country setting, creates unique career opportunities. Whether you're seeking full-time tenure-track positions or part-time adjunct work, NVC provides a supportive environment for academic careers.
The employment landscape at NVC reflects its mission to empower students from diverse backgrounds. Faculty positions often involve teaching credit and non-credit courses, advising, and contributing to program development. Administrative jobs handle student services, finance, and operations, while classified staff roles support daily campus functions. Salaries are competitive for community colleges, with full-time faculty earning around $70,000 to $110,000 annually depending on experience and rank, per California community college standards.
Napa Valley College traces its roots to 1942 when it began as a small extension of Napa Junior College. By 1949, it became an independent institution, expanding amid post-war growth in higher education access. The 1970s saw significant development with new facilities and programs tailored to local needs, including pioneering viticulture courses in 1976, capitalizing on Napa's wine industry boom. Today, NVC boasts modern campuses in Napa and Upper Valley, with initiatives like the Viticulture and Enology Center fostering industry partnerships. This history underscores a commitment to relevant, hands-on education, making jobs at NVC appealing for those interested in applied learning environments.
Key milestones include accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges since 1954 and expansions in health sciences and STEM. Understanding this evolution helps job seekers align their expertise with NVC's growth-oriented culture.
Jobs at Napa Valley College are categorized into faculty, management, and classified positions. Faculty roles include instructors in high-demand fields like nursing, automotive technology, business, and signature programs in wine studies. Adjunct faculty teach part-time, ideal for flexible schedules. Management positions cover deans, directors, and coordinators, while classified staff handle counseling, maintenance, and IT support. Explore university job types for comprehensive breakdowns of these roles across institutions.
Recent openings have included viticulture instructors and nursing faculty, reflecting regional strengths. For similar roles, visit community college jobs.
To navigate jobs at Napa Valley College, key terms include:
Faculty jobs at Napa Valley College typically require a minimum of a master's degree in the teaching field (e.g., M.S. in Biology for science instructors) or a bachelor's plus professional experience, per California Education Code Section 87355. For vocational areas like viticulture, industry certifications or equivalent experience suffice. PhD holders are preferred for disciplines with transfer emphasis.
Research focus is less emphasized than at research universities; instead, applied projects like wine industry collaborations matter. Preferred experience includes 2+ years community college teaching, publications in trade journals, or grants from bodies like the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.
Essential skills and competencies:
Admin roles need bachelor's degrees and relevant experience; staff positions prioritize practical skills. See how to write a winning academic CV for tailoring applications.
The application process for jobs at Napa Valley College begins on their HR portal (napavalley.edu/hr). Steps include:
Tips: Customize materials to NVC's strategic plan, highlighting student success metrics. Network at local events or via LinkedIn. Prepare for equity-focused questions. Use free resume template resources. Applications close quickly; monitor higher ed faculty jobs.
NVC champions diversity through the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Initiatives include mandatory anti-bias training, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation since 2021 supporting Latinx students (45% of enrollment), and the Black Student Union sponsorship. Hiring practices prioritize equal opportunity, with goals to increase faculty diversity. Programs like Umoja (African American success) and Puente (Latinx transfer) involve staff. The college's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan ensures inclusive recruitment.
NVC fosters work-life balance with flexible schedules, especially for adjuncts, and generous leave policies (e.g., 24 vacation days for faculty). Wellness programs include gym access, counseling, and EAP. Campus life thrives with events like Wine Spectator auctions, hiking trails, and proximity to Napa's wineries. The 146-acre main campus features modern labs, a performing arts center, and sustainable gardens. Employees enjoy tuition reimbursement and retiree benefits. In California's wine capital, blending career with lifestyle is seamless.
Ready to apply? Browse higher ed jobs, get advice from higher ed career advice, search university jobs, or post your opening at post a job. For community-focused roles, NVC stands out in higher ed admin jobs and lecturer jobs. Check recent insights like employer branding secrets.
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