What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communication Studies Instructor - Adjunct position at Green River Community College?
Position Summary
ABOUT THE COLLEGE:
Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:
We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.
The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:We would like to acknowledge the Federally Recognized Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the ancestral keepers of the land on which Green River College is located. We thank them for their immense contributions to our state and local, history, culture, economy, and identity as Washingtonians.
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Communication Studies Department is seeking a communication generalist to teach face to face, hybrid, and online communication studies courses. This is an adjunct faculty position. Applicants for this position will have the potential opportunity to work closely with campus affinity groups like Umoja Community and A2MEND.
Ideal prospective faculty in the Communication Studies department would be dedicated to fostering student success through culturally relevant pedagogy and practices. The ideal candidate will implement intentional and deliberate teaching strategies, creating dynamic learning environments that encourage students to apply their knowledge within their communities. Embracing an ethic of love, the educator will humanize the classroom by sharing personal experiences and building trust, thereby addressing students’ holistic development—body, mind, and spirit. A commitment to affirming, integrated, and intentional communication is essential to empower students both academically and personally. The candidate should be passionate about nurturing a sense of belonging and cultural awareness, contributing to the academic success and self-actualization of our diverse student population.
Position Responsibilities
The adjunct faculty will be considered for one or more of the following courses:
CMST&101 Introduction to Communication Studies
CMST&210 Interpersonal Communication
CMST&220 Public Speaking
CMST&230 Small Group Communication
CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication
CMST 105 Oral Communication for Trades
CMST 106 Human Relations for Trades
A complete listing of course offerings from the Communication Studies department can be found HERE.
Basic FunctionsThe instructor’s primary function is to teach students and help them to meet their educational goals.
Additionally, instructors foster a professional, equitable, anti-racist, and culturally inclusive environment, which is conducive to learning and demonstrates an awareness of the experiences and needs of the current student population.
The instructor's secondary function is to facilitate appropriate operational policies and procedures of the institution.
The instructor will communicate and work collaboratively with the Division, Department Lead, Division Chairperson, and dean.
Specific Function Relating to Instruction and Learning
To teach courses in accordance with approved course descriptions and outcomes, and with class syllabi developed by individual instructors and in accordance with approved syllabus policy.
To assist students by making appropriate use of any or all services, facilities, materials and methods available for enhancing the learning process.
To be accessible to students, in-person or remotely, at a mutually agreeable time.
To maintain one's knowledge and professional skills in one’s discipline.
To participate in periodic review of the individual instructor’s effectiveness and accomplishments.
All instructional policies applicable to the full-time contracted faculty shall apply to the adjunct faculty who may, at their discretion, participate in all instructional activities and in the determination of divisional and College policy.
Further details on functions of adjunct faculty can be found in the Green River College Collective Bargaining Agreement (p. 45-60) as negotiated by the The Board of Trustees Community College District No. 10 and The Green River United Faculty Coalition.
Qualifications
Minimum:
Master’s degree in Communication or a closely-related Communication field. Degree must be earned by July 23, 2025.
Experience teaching Communication Studies or related field in a higher education setting.
Preferred:
Lived experience working in and with communities of color.
Employment or educational experience in a community or technical college system with diverse student populations.
Experience using current technology and learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, Angel, etc.) to deliver equitable and accessible instruction to students.
Experience developing and teaching course curricula in face-to-face, hybrid, HyFlex, and/or asynchronous online settings.
Supplemental Information
This is an adjunct faculty position. The salary will be determined according to the candidate's educational background, teaching experience and applicable work experience, as stipulated in the Green River College Agreement (contract bargaining agreement).
Should you have any difficulties uploading the below documents, please contact NeoGov tech support at 1-855-524-5627 Mon-Fri 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. pacific time.
At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.
All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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 RCW 28B.112.080.
Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Green River College’s Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.
Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Reporting
Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College’s appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.
For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants:
Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
- Email: titleixcoordinator@greenriver.edu
More than Just a Paycheck!
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package.
Health Benefits:
Adjunct faculty may become eligible for benefits if they work two (2) consecutive quarters at 50% or more of full time academic load in order to qualify for benefits (based on instructional hours only).
Adjunct faculty who initially meet the State Board Retirement Plan Eligibility criteria after June 30, 2011 are given the option to participate in the State Board Plan (TIAA-CREF) or to participate in TRS 3, and have 30 days to make a choice. The eligibility threshold for participation in the State Board Retirement Plan (TIAA-CREF) is 50 percent of a full-time workload* at one or more college districts or the State Board for two consecutive quarters. There may be other options available under limited circumstances.
Leave accruals and usage are governed by the faculty master contract.
- Half time is defined as one-half of the full-time academic workload as determined by each institution, except that half time for community and technical colleges faculty employees is governed by RCW 28B.50.489.