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Political Science Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor
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Position Number: 5929531
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Liberal Arts - Political Science

Political Science Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor

Cuesta College

Salary: $66,519.00 - $102,922.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FY2425-00121
Location: Cuesta College - All Campuses, CA
Department: Instruction
Closing: 3/31/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

Cuesta College welcomes applications for a full-time, tenure-track position starting in August 2025. Candidates will possess teaching and scholarly expertise in one or more of the following areas: introductory level courses on US Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, Law and Society/Constitutional Law, Introduction to Political Science, and California state politics. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding, and command, of teaching at the collegiate level and an ability to effectively convey their knowledge of the subject matter in the discipline.

The teaching load will be five three-unit classes per semester. Assignments may be day or evening classes at the San Luis Obispo campus, the North County Campus, South County center, or the California Men's Colony. Classes will be primarily face-to-face but some online classes may be included. The faculty assignment includes participation in college-wide, division, discipline-focused governance and development. This will include activities like: program review, faculty evaluations, curriculum development, assessment of student learning outcomes, and committee service.

The successful candidate will be committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students, and community partners who share a commitment to closing equity gaps in educational outcomes. The candidate will have experience in, and understanding of, successful support of individuals with varying backgrounds including people with disabilities, people with various gender identities and sexual orientations, individuals from historically marginalized communities, and individuals with economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work

Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

To be considered for the Political Science discipline:
Required:
-Master's in political science, government, or international relations from an accredited institution;
OR
-Bachelor's in any of the above from an accredited institution AND Master's in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, and any ethnic studies, Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.) or Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B.) from an accredited institution;
OR
-The equivalent. (Candidates applying on the basis of equivalency must submit all materials requested for an equivalency judgment. For directions on what is an acceptable equivalency argument please review the requirements listed on the HR Website or see further information on Equivalency Petition Process Information below.)
OR
-A valid Community College credential in the discipline (If received prior to 1990, as the credential is no longer being issued).

Additional Requirement:
-Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable:
-Teaching experience in the discipline, community college level preferred;
-Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges;
-Demonstrated teaching and scholarly expertise in introductory courses on US Government and Politics, and in one or more areas such as Comparative Politics or Law and Society/Constitutional Law;
-Strong academic preparation in Political Science evidenced by undergraduate and graduate coursework, especially in relation to the sub-fields of study emphasized above;
-Strong interest and experience in undergraduate teaching and the ability to employ a variety of teaching techniques to address the wide range of skills and abilities among community college students;
-Evidence of an ongoing commitment to professional development in the field of Political Science;
-At least two semesters of experience teaching Political Science in a distance education modality or certification in online teaching, including proficiency with Canvas
-Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
-Experience in Political Science curriculum development;
-A desire to engage in campus-wide activities that extend beyond the specific discipline.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY

Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume or current Curriculum Vitae;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Two professional Letters of Recommendation;
Unofficial transcripts (see further instructions below);
Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In order to best prepare your diversity statement for this application, please review our Academic Senate approved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rubric, please visit our Equal Employment Opportunity Page: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/eeo/index.html

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Unofficial Transcript Instructions: Transcripts need to show that you meet the minimum qualifications (with degree conferred) and/or have a foreign degree evaluation completed if the degree you hold is from outside of the US. If the titles of your degrees on your transcripts do not show that you meet the minimum qualifications as written above, it is necessary to submit an equivalency petition with your application. See below for more information about equivalency.

Equivalency Petition Process Information: Faculty shall meet the minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors, or shall possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications set out in the regulations of the Board of Governors. If a candidate does not exactly match the minimum qualifications, they can submit a Petition for Equivalency form in order to apply for equivalency. For more information on the process, please review the links below for more information.

Equivalency Process (AP 7211)

Petition for Equivalency Form

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Please contact HR to ensure all documents have been uploaded and your file is complete up until 72 hours before the closing date.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Salary is determined by education and experience. More information regarding our current salary schedules can be found on the following link: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address:

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to give a teaching demonstration and have an interview on Monday, April 21, 2025.

First interviews will be held in person or via Zoom by candidate request. In person interviews are preferred and, in the interest of equity, candidates will be reimbursed up to $500 toward their travel expenses if they choose to interview on campus. Virtual teaching demonstrations will be evaluated using the same criteria as in-person demonstrations and will be expected to facilitate similar levels of effectiveness, skill, engagement and interaction.

Second interviews will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The selected applicant will begin their full-time teaching assignment in the Fall semester of the 2025-2026 school year, which begins on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.