First-Year Seminar, Assistant (Tenure-Track) Professor

Are you an equity-minded teacher with a focus on fostering an inclusive environment? Are you a collaborative educator dedicated to closing opportunity gaps? Are you excited by helping students from all backgrounds succeed at college? Do you have an interest in shared governance, interdisciplinary collaboration, or social/climate justice in education? Do you want to teach a diverse student body at an open-enrollment institution? Are your experiences similar to those of the students we serve? If you answer yes to any of the questions above, we invite you to apply for the full-time, tenure-track position in the First-Year Seminar Program, a part of the Bellevue College Connected Learning Division. This position is expected to begin Fall 2024 and will be a part of large cohort of new faculty joining Bellevue College Community.

Position Salary Range: $77,250.30/year - $108,344.14/year

Annual salary is based on a 176-day contract with a minimum of $77,250.30; beginning salary will be determined by the assessment of the candidate's education and related experience. New hires start no higher than $82,831.36 unless exceptional circumstances prevail. Certain positions may also be eligible for assignment/project-based additional compensation, including a High Demand Stipend up to $8,350 annually, prorated based on the discipline and duration of the assignment. All additional compensations are subject to change depending on funding and negotiated agreement.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous benefits package  is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid personal leave plan; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

In addition to teaching, full-time faculty maintains office hours and participate in department and college activities. This position is represented by the Bellevue College Association of Higher Education (BCAHE) union.

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community. Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community that supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff. As an essential part of our mission and goals , diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

For more information, visit BC Facts at a Glance @ Bellevue College .

First-Year Seminar (FYS) is one of the newest departments at Bellevue College. The mission of the FYS program is to improve the experience and outcomes of incoming students, especially students who have been traditionally underserved in higher education: students of color, students with disabilities, first-generation college students, LBGTQ+ students, veterans, English language learners, etc. Requiring that new-to-college students complete a course that meets the First-Year Seminar program learning outcomes is a proven high-impact practice that closes equity gaps, boosts retention and completion, and increases student engagement and learning. Most students seeking the Associate of Arts & Sciences-Direct Transfer Agreement degree and Associate in Science Track I and II degrees at Bellevue College are required to complete an FYS course or its equivalent, ideally within their first two quarters of enrollment.

Instructional responsibilities

• Provide learner-centered instruction in First-Year Seminar courses.
• Deliver in-person classes or a combination of in-person and virtual classes, with a full teaching load of 15 credits per quarter.
• Conduct courses in various modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid, synchronous and asynchronous online instruction, and late-start (shortened-quarter) formats
• Assess student learning relative to course learning outcomes.
• Incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally responsive pedagogy into teaching, learning, and mentoring.
• Foster a positive, caring, and equitable learning environment for a multi-cultural, multi-ability, multilingual student population.
• Provide culturally responsible advising and mentoring that supports underrepresented and historically marginalized student populations navigate obstacles to completing their educational goals.

Non-instructional responsibilities

• When elected by eligible department faculty, serve as program chair for the First-Year Seminar program.  Program chair service results in release from a portion of teaching responsibilities and includes the following duties:
  • Provide leadership to the First-Year Seminar program
  • Develop and articulate the vision, goals, and direction of the First-Year Seminar program
  • Recruit, train, and onboard First-Year Seminar faculty
  • Manage annual and quarterly scheduling and staffing for First-Year Seminar courses
  • Coordinate and mentor adjunct faculty in accordance with provisions of the faculty agreement
  • Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum and staffing for courses in other departments and divisions that meet the First-Year Seminar requirement
  • Coordinate with Student Affairs and Advising on program marketing and student recruitment
  • Coordinate with other programs regarding inclusion of First-Year Seminar courses in degree pathways and requirements
  • Assist program faculty in responding to and addressing student concerns, grievances, and complaints
  • Coordinate program response to and implementation of college policies, procedures, and initiatives (e.g., accreditation reports, performance indicators, assessment, etc.)
• Participate in program-level curriculum design, assessment, revisions, implementation and evaluation aimed at 1) improvement of course relevancy and 2) promotion of educational equity in the classroom.
• Participate in college governance and decision making by representing faculty and department interests on division-wide and campus-wide committees, task forces, and other groups.
• Engage in professional-development opportunities on and off campus related to best practices in teaching and learning and experiential education; participate in required faculty training; stay up to date on campus programs and policies.

• Master’s degree in any academic discipline from an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching a First-Year Seminar, First-Year Experience, or College Success course, or a disciplinary course with at least a 25-percent focus on content that supports student learning, development, and success in the first year of college.
• Experience teaching in at least two of the following instructional modalities and delivery methods: face-to-face, hybrid, or online (asynchronous or synchronous), using a learning management system such as Canvas.
• Experience implementing learner-centered teaching and high-impact instructional practices and supporting accessible instruction through universal design for learning.
• Ability to teach in a multi-cultural, multi-ability classroom and advocate for diverse learners.
• Experience teaching students with a wide range of preparation consistent with an open access college.

• Experience leading and managing instructional programs in a higher education environment, including recruiting and training faculty and managing course schedules.
• Familiarity with current, post-COVID-19 pedagogy that supports college student success.
• Demonstrated knowledge of barriers for historically marginalized students and faculty and prior experience in addressing disproportionate impact and equity issues within an institution of higher education.
• Background or prior experience that demonstrates understanding of concepts related to the scholarship of teaching and learning, curriculum development, and assessment of learning outcomes.
• Experience with outcomes assessment and program review.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and staying current in teaching, learning, and assessment.

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law .

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties. 

• This position is eligible for relocation allowance.
• Sponsorship for employment-based visa may be an option for full-time tenure-track faculty position only and depending upon applicants qualification.

Applications received by 01/31/2024 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. This position will begin Fall Quarter, 2024.

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional documents will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips  before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Attach a statement of your Teaching Philosophy (max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Diversity Statement  (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.) that addresses the following: Please provide specific examples of how your educational and/or professional experiences, background or philosophy demonstrate your commitment to diversity and equity, and how these prepare you to contribute to Bellevue College. Please note that your Diversity Statement must be a separate response from your Teaching Philosophy
• Attach a copy of academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts may be submitted - official transcripts required upon employment)
• Attach a syllabus you used for a First-Year Seminar, First-Year Experience, or College Success course you taught, or a syllabus you used for a disciplinary course you taught with at least a 25-percent focus on content that supports student learning, development, and success in the first year of college
• Complete Job Questionnaires if applicable

Contact: 

If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at 425-564-2274 or email to [email protected] .

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Please see policy 4150 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/ . The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564-2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564-2178, Office B126. 

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact [email protected]  .