Physics / Physical Sciences Instructor, Full-Time, Tenure-Track

Kern Community College District

Salary: $89,080.98 - $116,884.82 Annually

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: FY25-2600020

Location: Porterville, CA

Department: Natural Science

Basic Function

The Natural Science Department at Porterville College is seeking a faculty member for a Physics / Physical Sciences Instructor, Full-Time, Tenure-Track for Porterville College location. If you are highly motivated, eager to engage a diverse student body, and passionate about teaching and learning, we encourage you to submit an application.

Who We Are:

Porterville College is very proud of its reputation of being both academically focused and student-centered. We are committed to our six core values: Collaboration, Respect, Innovation, Accountability, Equity, and Participation. These values frame our work as we provide opportunities for our students who come to us from diverse economic, cultural, geographical, and educational backgrounds.

The College offers non-credit and credit educational programs that include transfer, career and technical education, and basic skills. With students as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diverse communities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and lifelong learning, while preparing students for career and academic success.

History of Porterville College:

Porterville College was established in 1927 as a part of the Porterville Union High School and College District and has been a unit of the Kern Community College District since July 1, 1967. Porterville College is the northernmost college in the Kern Community College District, which serves an area of some 24,000 square miles in all or portions of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties.

Porterville College is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), providing educational opportunities for approximately 4,500 full and part time students each year. Our college has been serving the community and providing quality education since its founding.

Porterville College was recently the recipient of the Mackenzie Scott Foundation award and recognized as one of the "Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear"

On Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Diversity and equity are prominent among the goals of the strategic plan. Multiple programs and services address the needs of our diverse student population to ensure that each of its students has the opportunity to succeed, no matter what their backgrounds and goals may be. Student Equity is integrated into all aspects of the activities and governance processes at Porterville College.

Further, the Kern Community College District (KCCD) is committed to providing an educational environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization that benefits the global community.

About the Porterville Community:

Porterville lies against the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in southeast Tulare County. It is the gateway to a vast mountain wonderland and recreational area. Residents enjoy magnificent views of snowcapped mountains in the mild winter while basking in the sun during the hot summer months. There are recreation activities at Lake Success, plenty of outdoor activities in the mountains, and ample family activities year-round and

Porterville is centrally located between southern and northern California metropolitans, with a three-hour drive to Los Angeles and a four-hour drive to San Francisco. It is within three hours commuting time to the seashores of the Pacific. With the lower cost of living and central location in California Porterville is a great area to live.

Representative Duties

Who We Are Looking For:

Porterville College is seeking a dedicated and motivated individuals to provide leadership, engagement, and discipline expertise in continuing to move the program forward in innovative ways. As a full time faculty member at Porterville College, successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to student success through teaching and learning excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's in physics, astronomy or astrophysics

OR

Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics

OR

The equivalent. Certain combinations of education, experience, and other accomplishments in the field may be judged as equal to the stated minimum qualifications for these positions. Candidates who feel they possess such equivalent qualifications must request and submit an application for equivalence form. Supporting documents must be included with the completed form.

Minimum Qualifications Handbook Faculty and Administration in California Community Colleges

AND

A demonstrated sensitivity to students with diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities

Note: Degrees and credits must be from accredited institutions (Title V Section 53406). Any degree from a country other than the United States, including Canada and Great Britain, must be evaluated by an evaluation service.

Knowledge & Abilities

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate that they are broadly prepared and have a depth of knowledge in the discipline. In addition, the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and abilities:

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning and service to diverse student population;
• Ability to effectively work with students with a wide range of skills, motivations, academic and vocational goals;
• Ability to develop curriculum, including curriculum delivered via different modalities;
• Ability to participate in recruitment and articulation activities with local schools, colleges and universities;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain subject matter currency;
• Ability to assess student, program, and institutional learning outcomes;
• Knowledge of computers and willingness to adopt new technologies that support student success. Knowledge of and commitment to the California Community College mission.

SALARY RANGE $89,080.98 - $116,884.82 annually

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

First Review of Applications: Complete application packets will be accepted until the position is filled; but those received by September 4, 2025, are assured consideration. The College reserves the right to extend time limits or reinitiate the recruitment/selection process at any point.

Completed application packet must include:

• Completed Online Application for Employment form
• Current resume
• Letter of interest (Cover Letter)
• Statement of personal philosophy of teaching
• Copy of legible transcripts
• Copy of sample syllabi
• List of five (5) professional references - Listed on application form