Skagit Valley College (SVC), located in Mount Vernon, Washington, is a public community college serving the Skagit Valley region since 1926. Known for its affordable education and strong workforce training programs, SVC offers a range of job opportunities that appeal to educators, administrators, and support staff passionate about community impact. Jobs at Skagit Valley College span faculty positions in associate degrees, certificates, and even applied bachelor's programs, alongside administrative and classified staff roles. The college emphasizes student success, with over 5,000 students annually benefiting from small class sizes and dedicated professionals.
Working at SVC means contributing to a diverse student body, including first-generation college attendees and working adults. Positions often involve teaching in high-demand fields like nursing, welding, information technology, and business. The college's commitment to equity positions it as a leader in inclusive hiring practices in Washington state's higher education landscape.
Established in 1926 as Skagit Valley Junior College, SVC has evolved into a comprehensive community college with campuses in Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor. Its growth mirrors the region's economic shifts from agriculture to advanced manufacturing and healthcare. Today, employment at SVC reflects this history, with jobs focused on preparing students for local industries like aerospace at Boeing and healthcare at PeaceHealth.
Over the decades, SVC faculty and staff have pioneered programs such as the Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management, launched in 2015, expanding career paths for employees. The college's unionized faculty, represented by the SVC Federation of Teachers, ensures competitive salaries and protections, making long-term careers attractive.
Jobs at Skagit Valley College include full-time tenure-track faculty, adjunct instructors, department deans, counselors, librarians, and classified positions like lab technicians and administrative assistants. Faculty roles dominate, teaching in transfer pathways (Associate of Arts, Science) or professional-technical programs. Administrative jobs cover HR, finance, and student services.
For a deeper dive into types of positions available, community colleges like SVC prioritize practical teaching over research. Popular openings include nursing instructors (requiring clinical experience) and welding faculty. Check community college jobs for similar opportunities.
To secure jobs at Skagit Valley College, candidates need specific qualifications tailored to community college standards. Full-time faculty typically require a master's degree in the discipline or a bachelor's plus professional experience for vocational fields. For example, nursing faculty must hold an active Washington RN license and a minimum BSN.
Research focus at SVC centers on applied projects rather than publish-or-perish models. Faculty contribute to program assessments, grant writing for workforce initiatives, and student outcomes research. Preferred experience includes community college teaching, publications in teaching pedagogy, or securing grants like those from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).
Essential skills encompass student engagement techniques, use of learning management systems like Canvas, and data-driven instruction. Competencies prized include cultural humility for diverse classrooms (40% students of color) and collaboration with industry partners.
Tenure-track faculty: Permanent positions leading to tenure after evaluation, offering job security and academic freedom.
Adjunct instructor: Part-time teacher hired per course, common in community colleges for flexibility.
Professional-technical (Pro-Tech) programs: Vocational training for immediate workforce entry, like welding certificates.
SBCTC: Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, overseeing funding and standards.
The application process begins on the SVC Human Resources website, where postings detail requirements. Submit a cover letter addressing the job's priorities, resume, transcripts, and three references. Interviews often include teaching demonstrations.
Tip: Reference local needs, like Skagit County's manufacturing boom, to show fit. Applications close quickly for high-demand roles.
Skagit Valley College prioritizes diversity through its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion plan, aiming for a workforce reflecting student demographics. Initiatives include the TRIO program for underrepresented students, Latinx Faculty Fellowship, and mandatory DEI training. The college partners with organizations like the Northwest Indian College for Native American recruitment. Recent hires show increased BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) representation in faculty.
SVC fosters work-life balance with 12 quarter-based scheduling, allowing summers off for faculty, and state employee perks like 22 vacation days annually. Professional development funds support conferences, and wellness programs include gym access and EAP counseling. Campuses overlook the Skagit River Valley, offering hiking, kayaking nearby. Mount Vernon campus features modern facilities; Oak Harbor serves Whidbey Island. Employee events like picnics build community. As a rural-urban blend, expect collaborative culture with low turnover.
Faculty salaries start at $60,000-$90,000 based on experience, per SBCTC scales. Benefits include medical/dental, TIAA retirement matching, and tuition remission for dependents. Adjunct pay is $70+ per credit hour. Living in Mount Vernon offers affordable housing compared to Seattle.
SVC jobs provide meaningful impact in Washington higher education, with growth opportunities amid enrollment stability. Link to broader resources like employer branding secrets for talent attraction tips or become a lecturer. Explore higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job on AcademicJobs.com for more.
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