Biological Sciences Instructor (Initial Focus: Microbiology) Temporary Non-Tenure Track

Temporary full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at Ventura College for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. Initial review of applications begins July 10, 2026; recruitment remains open until filled.

About the role

Under the general direction of a dean, the Instructor provides comprehensive classroom instruction to students from diverse backgrounds to facilitate the attainment of their academic or vocational objectives in biological sciences, with an initial focus on microbiology.

About Ventura College

Established in 1925, Ventura College is one of California’s first community colleges, enrolling 14,500 students on a 112-acre campus in Ventura, approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The campus offers views of the Channel Islands and is part of the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD), which serves residents through three colleges offering transfer programs, career technical training, basic skills instruction, and continuing education.

The District values diversity and is committed to recruiting faculty, staff, and administrators who reflect the community it serves, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes academic excellence and mutual respect.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic instruction through lecture, lab, or performance courses; assess and develop cognitive abilities, communication skills, and higher-order thinking skills.
• Advise and instruct students on programs of study, higher education opportunities, study skills, and lifelong learning; refer students to support services and resources as appropriate.
• Observe and evaluate student performance through assignments, projects, discussions, and examinations; provide timely feedback during class, online, or office hours.
• Plan and organize instruction according to approved course outlines and student learning outcomes, aligning with department, college, and district goals.
• Maintain accurate records of course enrollment, attendance, student progress, and learning outcomes; submit data and reports in a timely manner.
• Evaluate and select instructional materials (e.g., textbooks, software) in collaboration with discipline faculty; order materials following campus bookstore procedures.
• Participate in curriculum and program development; update syllabi and collaborate with faculty to revise measurable student performance indicators.
• Revise and update course content based on new theory, application, and industry developments within the discipline.
• Attend and participate in committees and department, division, campus, and district meetings; may participate in articulation and matriculation activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for faculty as defined by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors:

• Master’s in any biological science, or
• Bachelor’s in any biological science and Master’s in biochemistry, biophysics, or marine science, or
• Possession of an appropriate California Community College Credential, or
• Equivalent qualifications (see below).

The following degrees qualify as a biological science:

• Anatomy (and derivatives, e.g., anatomical sciences)
• Animal Behavior
• Bacteriology
• Biology (and derivatives, e.g., biological sciences, cellular biology, behavioral biology, developmental biology, environmental biology, wildlife biology)
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biosciences (and types, e.g., biotechnology, molecular biosciences)
• Botany (and derivatives, e.g., botanical sciences)
• DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
• Ecology (and derivatives)
• Embryology
• Endocrinology
• Evolution
• Genetics (and types, e.g., molecular genetics)
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Life Sciences
• Microbiology
• Neurobiology (and derivatives, e.g., neuroscience, neurology)
• Organismal Biology (and types, e.g., arachnology, entomology, herpetology, ichthyology, mammalogy, malacology, mycology, nematology, ornithology, parasitology, primatology)
• Pathology
• Physiology (and derivatives, e.g., physiological science, molecular physiology, cellular physiology)
• Virology
• Zoology (and derivatives, e.g., zoological sciences, vertebrate zoology, invertebrate zoology)

Equivalency

The District recognizes that expertise may be attained through combinations of education, experience, and accomplishments. Candidates whose transcripts do not list the exact degree title may submit a Supplemental Questionnaire for Equivalency for review by the Districtwide Equivalency Committee. The committee, coordinated by an Academic Senate President, will evaluate whether the applicant’s qualifications meet the minimum requirements. For campus-specific disciplines, equivalency may be reviewed by the hiring committee and an Academic Senate President. Note that hiring timelines may proceed independently of equivalency reviews.

For details, review VCCCD Board Policy 7211 and VCCCD Administrative Policy 7211.