Assistant Professor of Paralegal

Southwestern Community College District

Work Site: 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Department: School of Business and Technology

District Values
Incumbents in District positions are expected to exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

Responsibilities:
This position may include a combination of day, evening, weekend and extension site assignments. Assignments may be online, face-to-face, virtual or may combine these modalities. Southwestern Community College District (SCCD) is seeking a full-time, tenure track, equity-focused faculty member committed to serving its' culturally diverse student population. Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who will foster an inclusive learning environment through equity-minded teaching, leadership, and service to students working toward goals of university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, employment advancement, and personal growth. THE COLLEGESouthwestern Community College District is a single college district providing higher education in Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, National City and Coronado. SCCD's strategic south San Diego County locations position the College to provide exceptional service to a binational community on the U.S.-Mexico International Border. SCCD is one of 20 initial California Guided Pathways colleges and is known for its excellent learning communities. As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, the College values equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive andragogy for all students. The College is dedicated to providing quality academic programs, comprehensive student support services that ensure equitable access, and clear pathways to student success. These efforts include professional development opportunities, employee-led affinity groups, proud commitment to DACA students, and supportive employee onboarding practices. OUR STUDENTSSouthwestern Community College District currently enrolls approximately 28,000 students annually. SCCD is comprised of 69% Hispanic students, 10% Caucasian students, 8% Filipino students, 5% African American students, and 3% Asian students. Approximately 63% of the College's students are under the age of 24 with 23% between the ages 25-39. Our students' gender demographics are represented by 55% female and 44% male. OUR VALUESWe value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, academic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religious, and ethnic and racial backgrounds of community college students and employees, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

1. Critically self-assess their individual impact, through teaching practices and student engagement, on closing equity gaps and holds themselves accountable to upholding and delivering equitable practices.
2. Reframe deficit language and take individual and collective responsibility to look at their own practices as a vehicle to eliminate inequities.
3. Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human differences.
4. Strategically encourage and build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity efforts.

Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals. RESPONSIBILITIES:Under the direction of the Dean, the School of Business and Technology is soliciting diverse applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Paralegal studies. This position requires a candidate with strong competencies in the law and the role of a paralegal with primary teaching responsibility in Paralegal/Legal courses. The successful candidate should have substantial work experience as a lawyer in the field of law along with experience as a paralegal and/or with supervising paralegals. The successful candidate will join the School of Business and Technology, dedicated to specifically teach Paralegal/Legal courses and to assume the role of Director of our currently American Bar Association (ABA) Certified Paralegal and Bilingual Paralegal Programs. All Paralegal courses are taught in English only. Spanish language and translation courses within the program are within other departments. The role of ABA Paralegal Program Director includes complying with all the requirements to attain and maintain ABA certified status, depending upon the needs of the program each year.

Knowledge and Abilities:
This includes but is not limited to:

• Running advisory board meetings and paralegal faculty meetings twice a year,
• Collecting data and surveys from students, graduates of the program and employers,
• Working with the Southwestern College library on building and maintaining legal collections,
• Maintaining software and subscriptions
• Writing career education and any other relevant grants
• Writing and submitting reports to the ABA
• Hosting the ABA accreditation team on site visitation years,
• Supporting the department chair and dean scheduling and staffing Paralegal courses,
• Interfacing and reaching out to employers and to potential employers of our students and graduates
• Working with our students and Southwestern College’s student employment office on students obtaining and working internships and/or supporting the faculty member teaching the legal cooperative work experience course,
• Interfacing with and providing information and outreach to potential students
• Advising and supporting current students
• Completing program review, curriculum development, and completing data and assessments relating to student learning outcomes.

Teaching load may be reduced due to responsibilities associated with ABA accreditation and with directing the paralegal program.
1. Subject matter preparation: a) Experience in teaching face-to-face, online and virtual Paralegal courses.b) Knowledge of the roles of bilingual paralegals.c) Obtain SCCD Distance Education Faculty Training (DEFT) certification, or the equivalent, within four months of hire date. d) Substantial work experience as a licensed practicing attorneye) Experience working as a paralegal and/or supervising paralegals.f) Teaching experience to include at least three years of community college or above; either part-time or fulltime.g) The ability to assume a lead role in the development, realignment, redevelopment and implementation of courses and programs in the discipline of paralegal studies. This includes developing curriculum, both working at times independently as well as in cooperation with other faculty. This requires inputting information and data in specific formatting within computer systems and apps as determined by the Southwestern College Curriculum Committee, as well as speaking before the Curriculum Committee when relevant curriculum modifications and additions are on the agenda of said Committee. This also includes leadership and implementation regarding policies regarding distance education, virtual, hybrid and in-person courses. h) The ability to provide leadership to communicate with Paralegal adjunct faculty in a warm, respectful, welcoming, and cooperative manner.i) The ability to lead the Paralegal discipline including heading up and completing program review for Paralegal Studies and Bilingual Paralegal Studiesj) The ability to complete data and assessment of student learning outcomesk) The ability to complete and advocate for grant applicationsl) The ability to interface with faculty in other disciplines and departments cooperatively and respectfully.m) The ability to connect with and guide Paralegal students and to provide them with positive, respectful, warm and welcoming support and guidance inside and outside the classroom.n) The ability to participate in the development of industry and government partnerships, university center development, enhancement of workforce development, work-based learning, career pathways, and to play an active role in outreach to and speaking at to high school students and their parents.

Education and Experience:
KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES CONT’

o) In addition to teaching competence in the primary discipline, the successful candidate will also have experience in blending student success strategies, such as goal setting, time-management, problem solving, study methods, and research skills. Candidates who have not had such experience will be expected to gain these competencies during their first year, so that they are able to incorporate these strategies in their own courses.
2. Evidence of outstanding ability as a teacher a) Understanding of, the role and purpose of the community college.b) Ability to evaluate one’s andragogy and its effectiveness in facilitating student learning.c) Ability to use teaching methods that engage racially, ethnically, academically, and culturally diverse students; promote critical thinking and emphasize cooperation and collaboration.d) Sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities. e) Commitment to collegiality and collaboration by working as a team with faculty and staff enhancing instruction, curriculum, and student success; as well as in the planning of class schedules and teaching rotations.f) Knowledge and practice of culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy that supports student-centered, self-reflective, and student-capable approaches which includes a wide range of institutional delivery systems.g) Ability to teach face-to-face, online, virtual and hybrid courses effectively and to create engaging, motivating and highly organized in-person courses.h) Commitment to professional responsibilities and associations outside of the classroomi) Strong Commitment to contribute to the administrative responsibilities of the department and division and engage in departmental and division activities.j) Commitment and ability to represent the Paralegal discipline and the Accounting & Business Department in campus-wide, Southwestern College and community committees, projects and organizations.k) Demonstrated empathy for students and colleagues.l) Demonstrated kindness and warmth for students, potential students and colleagues.m) Demonstrated attitude of productive and positive cooperation versus a harsh or dictatorial outlook.n) Interest in and satisfaction from reaching out to students in high schools, including providing exciting mini-lectures to grab their interest.o) Aspiration to nurture students both inside and outside the classroom.p) Ability to evaluate one’s andragogy and its effectiveness in facilitating student learning.q) Commitment to participate in the evaluation of course and program student learning outcomes.r) Commitment to the continual improvement of student enrollment and completion including through full participation in the program review process and completion of relevant reports for the Governing Board.s) Commitment to apply for and administer grants to further student success.t) Ability to work with other faculty members and staff for the purposes of marketing programs.u) Ability to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of others both online and in person.v) Enthusiasm and ability to provide students with enriching extracurricular experiences and learning outside the classroom.w) Demonstrated interest and ability to connect students with internships and employers.x) Demonstrated track record nurturing students inside and outside the classroom.y) Demonstrated commitment to learning about and promoting equity and diversity.z) Ability and interest in reaching out to and providing respectful, warm and inclusive leadership of adjunct faculty.

Minimum Qualifications: (Faculty and Academic Administrator Positions Only)
Juris Doctorate (JD)
OR
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).

Desirable Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following desired qualifications:

1. Commitment and success working in a diverse and multicultural community.
2. Experience teaching within a bilingual paralegal program or teaching within another bilingual program or with training bilingual professionals.
3. Experience and expertise in culturally responsive teaching Law.
4. Experience and ability to address equity gaps within the discipline in the classroom.
5. Knowledge of what is means to work in a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution in regards to institutional, department and instructional practices.
6. Experience in teaching face-to-face, online, virtual and hybrid Paralegal courses.
7. Significant work experience as a licensed practicing attorney.
8. Work experience as a paralegal and/or supervising paralegals.
9. Demonstrated track record nurturing students inside and outside the classroom.
10. Demonstrated track record placing group goals and unity above personal aspirations.
11. Competence with and strong interest in working with data to succinctly and competently write reports for inside and outside institutions and grant applications.
12. Interest and ability to reach out to employers in the community.
13. Industry contacts within the legal community.
14. Demonstrated interest in working in a team of colleagues towards common goals over individual goals.
15. Excellence in succinctly writing with fluidity for the purposes of discipline reports, grant applications, outreach and marketing.
16. Ability and interest in placing one’s mandatory and optional role as a full-time faculty member at of the School of Business, within the Department of Accounting & Business, above self-employment or work for other employers.
17. Ability and interest in teaching and in running the Paralegal program above institutional leadership or administrative aspirations.
18. Ability and interest in reaching out to potential and current students.

Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College is desirable.

Salary
Upon initial employment, full-time faculty members are placed on the salary schedule based upon years of experience and education.  Initial salary placement for experience can range from $55,070.00-$82,863.00 per year.  Faculty members are encouraged to continue their professional development through additional study qualifying them for advancement on the salary schedule.  For the current salary schedule and information on salary placement visit our website at www.swccd.edu.  Benefits include a choice of medical plans, dental coverage, vision, sick leave, and an optional tax deferred flexible benefit plan.  Coverage is offered for employees and all eligible dependents.   Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.

Start Date

August 18, 2022 (Fall Semester, 2022)

Screening Deadline
All application materials must be received on-line at https://jobs.swccd.edu. Position is open until filled. Applications received by the first screening deadline of  11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022 are guaranteed to be reviewed by the selection committee. Any application received after the deadline is not guaranteed a review.

Work Schedule:
Successful candidate may be assigned to any of the campus sites (Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and/or San Ysidro).

Additional Information:
We regret we are unable to accept faxed, e-mailed, mailed, or hand delivered application materials. Only complete application materials submitted through SWC online system will be accepted. To complete and submit your application for this position, please visit our online employment website at https://jobs.swccd.edu. All required information must be submitted online before the review date and time indicated on the job posting.

A confirmation number will be assigned if your application packet has been successfully submitted. Assistance with the online application process is available through the Human Resources Office at 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910; telephone: (619) 482-6395 or e-mail to employment@swccd.edu.

It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all application materials are received by the review deadline date. A separate, complete application packet is required for each position for which you are applying for. All materials included in your application packet become District property, will not be returned, will not be copied, and will be considered for this opening only.

Candidates selected for employment with Southwestern Community College District must be fingerprinted by an electronic fingerprinting service (i.e. LiveScan) within 10 days of employment; provide clearance of tuberculosis (dated within the past 4 years and renewed every four years as a condition of continued employment) within 60 days of employment; provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

In addition to the above, for Faculty/Administrator positions (only), successful candidate must submit official (sealed) college transcripts confirming date degree conferred and/or a valid CA Community College Credential.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to candidates with verified disabilities. Accommodation requests should be made at the time the interview appointment is scheduled.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Southwestern Community College District will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

The Southwestern Community College District shall not discriminate against any person in employment or in any program affiliated with the District on the basis of age, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or on the basis of these perceived characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security Report – Southwestern College is committed to assisting all members of the community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report is available on the SWCPD website at https://www.swccd.edu/student-support/safety-and-security/jeanne-clery-act/.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Annual Security Report, which contains this information, you can stop by the SWC College Police Department or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (619) 482-6390.

The report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention; public safety authority; crime reporting policies; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; the procedures the College will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the College or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

This information is required by law and is provided by the SWC College Police Department.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Plan (DAAPP) – More information about the DAAPP, including the Drug Free Environment and Drug Prevention Program Policy and Procedure and Biennial report can be found in the Health and Safety Section of the campus Consumer Information page ( http://www.swccd.edu/index.aspx?page=1084)

To apply, visit: https://jobs.swccd.edu/postings/3715









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