Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Position Overview

The faculty member will be accountable for the following responsibilities: delivering designated courses under the guidance of the department chair; supporting students in achieving their highest potential in mastering course material; evaluating student learning outcomes; maintaining current and comprehensive knowledge in their teaching discipline; engaging in ongoing professional development; employing modern technology in the execution of job responsibilities; upholding standards of professional conduct and ethics pertinent to the academic role; contributing to curriculum development and review; participating in college committees and faculty governance, including accreditation and student co-curricular activities; undertaking additional duties as assigned by the department chair; and fulfilling other obligations typical of a full-time faculty member.

The department emphasizes:

• Creating an intellectual atmosphere that encourages dialogue and innovation to support student achievement.
• Facilitating program development and adapting teaching methodologies to meet specific course or student requirements.
• Ensuring that laboratories associated with courses operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.
• Striving to create a teaching environment that promotes equitable outcomes for all students.

Salary Information:
Initial salary placement is determined by academic qualifications, upper/graduate level units earned, and/or relevant professional experience as per the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers Contract (initial maximum placement is Class V, Step 8). For further details on the step placement process, please refer to the appropriate resources.

Key Responsibilities

The instructional duties may involve teaching courses at various levels within this discipline. Specific courses available may differ by campus. Potential courses for this position may include:

• Allied Health Chemistry
• Introductory Chemistry
• General Chemistry
• Non-majors courses such as "Art and Chemistry", "Adventures in Chemistry", "The Science of Coffee"
• Organic Chemistry (courses with or without biological emphasis)
• Preparatory Chemistry
• Quantitative Analysis

The faculty members of the Chemistry Department acknowledge the significance of fostering a supportive, transparent, and collaborative educational environment. To achieve this, we lead by example. One of our initiatives includes multiple faculty members participating in STEM-PAL (Peer Assisted Learning), which are peer-led sessions that replicate group interactions among faculty. These PAL sessions enable students to collaboratively tackle challenging problems, where solutions may not always be immediately apparent, with guidance from a peer facilitator.

The department incorporates chemical instrumentation and technology in its teaching settings. Available departmental instrumentation includes Gas Chromatography (GC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Atomic Absorption (AA). Laptop computers and digital data acquisition systems are also accessible for instructional laboratory use.

The Chemistry Department at Sacramento City College provides a range of courses in general, organic, and biochemistry to accommodate students pursuing careers in allied health, biological sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering. Additionally, the department offers laboratory courses that deliver practical training on tools and instruments commonly utilized in industrial and research environments.

The Chemistry Department also administers the Chemical Technology (CHEMT) Program, which prepares students for diverse scientific laboratory technician career paths. Participants will receive instruction in the principles and fundamentals of chemistry, alongside hands-on training with laboratory equipment and advanced state-of-the-art instrumentation. Students who successfully complete the program will earn a Certificate of Achievement. Furthermore, students may qualify for an Associate in Science degree by meeting graduation requirements. Notably, the Chemistry Department features a robust Undergraduate Research Program (URP), allowing students to operate instruments (e.g., HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, IR, AA), conduct experiments, gain actual research experience, and present their findings. Gaining real scientific research experience is quite rare for two-year institutions due to budget and instrumentation constraints, but the Chemistry Department recognizes the importance of preparing students for laboratory work, which is essential for those intending to transfer to research-focused four-year universities.

With the completion of the new Natural Sciences Building, we are eager to explore new opportunities for collaboration with our Biology colleagues, who are now located in the same office space as Chemistry.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master's degree in chemistry OR Bachelor's degree in chemistry or biochemistry and Master's degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical physics, physics, molecular biology, or geochemistry; OR the equivalent. All degrees must be from an accredited institution completed by the time of hire.
2. Possess an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, including those with physical or learning disabilities, as it relates to differences in learning styles; and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

Notes:

• If your degree title differs from the minimum qualifications listed above, you are encouraged to apply under the "equivalent" provision.
• Applicants applying under the "equivalent" provision must provide details and explain how their academic preparation and/or professional experience is equivalent to the degrees/minimum qualifications listed above.
• If you have already been granted equivalency for this discipline, you must attach a copy of your determination form or letter.

Application Instructions

Applicants for this position are REQUIRED to complete and submit:

1. A Los Rios Community College District Application
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of Interest
4. Unofficial Transcripts from College/University

Notes:

• Applications submitted without all required documents will be disqualified.
• Applicants indicating "see resume" on the application will not have that referenced experience considered for minimum qualifications, which may lead to disqualification.
• Only information (education, experience, etc.) listed on the application will be considered for minimum qualifications.
• Applicants, including current Los Rios Community College District employees, are required to provide official transcripts, if required to meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts within 60 days of the time of hire.
• Graduate advising documents and grade reports will not be accepted as official transcripts.
• Individuals who have completed college or university coursework at an institution outside the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees, and other relevant documents.
• A foreign transcript evaluation is required whenever foreign coursework is used to meet minimum qualifications and/or salary placement, even if the foreign transcript has been accepted by a college or university in the United States.
• Foreign transcript evaluations are ONLY accepted from AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluations, Inc.) or NACES (The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) agencies or evaluators.

Do not submit additional materials that are not requested.

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