Full-time Faculty, Dental Hygiene

PENINSULA COLLEGE'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Peninsula College is committed to fostering an inclusive campus community where every student and employee has access to the support and resources they need to succeed. We believe that respect, connection, and belonging are essential to learning and working well together.

Our Equity Standing Committee, with representation from across the college, guides ongoing work to review policies, practices, and professional learning to support equitable access and student and employee success. We collaborate with campus partners on continuous improvement toward a learning and working environment where everyone can thrive.

Redacted Review Hiring Process

At Peninsula College, we are committed to a fair and unbiased hiring process. To support this commitment, we use an application redaction process. Before your materials are reviewed by the screening committee, certain personal identifying details such as your name, the names of schools or organizations you attended, and affiliations that could unintentionally signal identity are removed. This helps reviewers focus on your skills, experience, and qualifications.

We encourage applicants to review their resumes and cover letters before submitting to ensure that your experience and accomplishments remain clear after redaction. If your materials rely on institution names or affiliations to explain your role, you may wish to describe the work and outcomes in your own words, so the impact is still visible to the screening committee.

Our goal is to support a hiring process that is consistent, equitable, and centered on the strengths you bring.

THE COLLEGE

Located in the northwest corner of the United States, Peninsula College is nestled in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. The main campus in Port Angeles, Washington, overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the nearby city of Victoria, British Columbia, and has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park, and Seattle. Port Angeles is two hours from Seattle and a one-hour ferry ride to Victoria, Canada. The College is honored to serve six sovereign American Indian nations in the region: Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, Makah, Hoh, and Port Gamble S'Klallam.

The College is honored to have strong relationships with these six federally recognized Tribes in the College's service district. The College is home to Longhouse of Learning. It is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community College campus. The College offers transferable Indigenous language courses in Klallam/S'Klallam, Makah and Quileute and Hoh languages. Instructional programs include a Tribal Homeland Security & Emergency Management certificate, and an Integrated Indigenous Studies transfer pathway. The College is committed to doing more and taking future direction from the Tribes. As a public comprehensive community college with baccalaureate-granting authority, Peninsula College is highly regarded by businesses, schools, and community partners for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation, high academic standards, and community engagement. The College is part of the 34-college Washington State Community and Technical College System and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The College serves more than 2,500 students through its Port Angeles and Forks campuses, its correctional facilities, community education, and its online course offerings. The College community is vibrant, engaged, and known for its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the local communities across its 3,600 square mile service district.

The College culture is defined by its Guiding Principles and its shared governance model, which values respect, open and honest communication, integrity and collaboration. The College is a leader in the Guided Pathways work in Washington State and sees developing an equitable and socially just institution as a central part of that work. The College is highly regarded as a warm and welcoming place.

THE POSITION

Peninsula College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Dental Hygiene. This position will play a key role in launching and supporting the college's Dental Hygiene program and preparing students for successful careers as licensed dental hygienists. The Dental Hygiene program is designed to meet regional workforce needs and is accredited through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

The successful candidate will provide didactic, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction in dental hygiene courses and contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the program. Faculty responsibilities include curriculum development, student advising, participation in program accreditation processes, and engagement in college service and shared governance.

Peninsula College serves a diverse student population across the Olympic Peninsula and is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that supports student success. Faculty members are expected to employ equity-minded and student-centered teaching practices and to support the college's mission of transforming lives through education.

This is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position with a standard academic-year contract. Opportunities for summer teaching may be available depending on program needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dental Hygiene faculty member will:

Instruction and Student Learning

• Teach Dental Hygiene courses in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical settings.
• Deliver instruction using evidence-based teaching practices and inclusive instructional strategies.
• Develop and maintain course materials, assessments, and instructional resources.
• Evaluate student performance and provide timely feedback.
• Integrate current research, technology, and professional standards into instruction.

Program Development and Accreditation

• Assist with the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
• Support compliance with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards and program accreditation processes.
• Participate in student admissions processes, including applicant screening and evaluation.
• Collaborate with program faculty to develop clinical policies, calibration processes, and program assessment strategies.

Student Support

• Advise and mentor students in the Dental Hygiene program.
• Support student retention and success through academic guidance and professional development.
• Foster a learning environment that promotes professionalism, ethical practice, and cultural responsiveness.

College Service and Collaboration

• Participate in department, division, and college committees.
• Engage in shared governance and institutional initiatives.
• Contribute to program assessment, learning outcomes evaluation, and institutional effectiveness efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues and community partners to support program goals.

Professional Development

• Maintain current knowledge of developments in dental hygiene education and clinical practice.
• Participate in professional development activities related to teaching, clinical practice, and program accreditation.
• Maintain required professional licensure and certifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree in Dental Hygiene, Education, Public Health, or a closely related field, or willingness to obtain a masters degree within a time frame required for tenure.
• Current, unencumbered Washington State license as a Dental Hygienist, or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.
• Five years of recent clinical experience as a practicing dental hygienist.
• Experience teaching Dental Hygiene classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical curriculum in a higher education setting.
• Experience with curriculum development for diverse populations and commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
• Experience with program assessment and accreditation processes, including CODA standards.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to use instructional technologies and learning management systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will:

• Possess a Master's degree in Dental Hygiene or Dental Hygiene Education.
• Demonstrate commitment to equity-minded teaching and student success.
• Have experience working with community dental clinics or regional healthcare partners.
• Possess bilingual or multilingual abilities that support communication with diverse communities.

Application Submission Procedure:

A complete application file must include:

• A college employment application
• A letter of application addressing specific qualifications of this position
• A current resume/curriculum vitae
• A teaching philosophy, not to exceed 2 pages
• A diversity statement, not to exceed 2 pages
• Transcripts
• Three current professional references qualified to assess your experience and ability to perform the duties specified. Please include references’ email addresses and telephone numbers.

*Incomplete applications will not be moved forward for review.*

Application materials may be uploaded electronically, by mail, or email to:

Human Resources
Peninsula College
1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 417-6298
Email: pchr@pencol.edu

Applications submitted electronically will be accepted without signatures.