Job Details

Engineering Instructor & Department Chair - Tenure Track

Position Number: 6800673
Location: Aptos, CA
Position Type: Deans - Engineering

Engineering Instructor & Department Chair - Tenure Track

Cabrillo College

Salary: See Position Description
Job Type: Full-time (100%)
Job Number: 2025-02085
Closing: 2/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Aptos, CA
Department: Engineering

Please apply for this job directly on the Cabrillo College job opportunities page here.

Employment Opportunity

Join our organization's amazing educational environment as part of our ongoing commitment fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion via our CLUSTER HIRE process. We seek to bring together a group of exceptional individuals to collectively contribute our college's diverse intellectual and cultural experience. Applicants must satisfy the DEIA+ criteria per the job announcement's supplemental questions. Read more about the CLUSTER HIRE PROCESS here.

College Commitment to Equity and Diversity: The ideal candidate shares and participates in Cabrillo's commitment to the values of diversity and equity while serving its socioeconomically and ethnically diverse student community. For the 2024-2025 Academic Year, 61% of Cabrillo students are members of minoritized populations, identifying themselves as LatinX (51.25%), Multi Ethnic (6%), Asian (2.5%), Black Non-Hispanic (1%), Filipino (0.87%), American Indian/Alaskan Native (0.21%) and Pacific Islander (0.16%). Cabrillo is proud to be an Hispanic Serving Institution, enrolling 51% Hispanic students, and recent data indicates that the college has closed the achievement gap for graduation success (50% of graduates are Hispanic). The college is dedicated in its efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion, having established Board goals of supporting antiracism efforts and promoting a year-long equity reading certificate program for faculty, staff, and managers.

Starting Salary Range: This full-time, tenure track instructor and Department Chair will enjoy a 175-Day work schedule. ranging from $70,350 to $107,987 per year, salary is determined by applicant's documented education and experience. Maximum initial salary step placement on the175-day Faculty Salary Schedule is step 9. An annual doctoral stipend of $4,697 is granted to eligible faculty.

Excellent benefits, including quality health insurance at a *LOW COST for you and your family! Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, life, short and long term, and vision (optional) insurance provided at a share of cost on a pretax basis, CalSTRS Retirement and an Employee Assistance Program. Benefits begin the first day of the second month of employment. *In many cases full-time employee net out-of-pocket for benefit premiums may be as low as $0 depending upon the plan selected. More information can be found on the Benefits webpage on the HR webpage.

About This Opportunity: This tenure track faculty position includes the responsibilities of the Department Chair. In addition to teaching Engineering classes, this position assists with hiring, coordinating, and mentoring associate faculty, classified staff, and student assistants. It also includes scheduling classes, managing the departmental budgets, program planning, assessing outcomes, and performs related duties as needed and assigned. The engineering department has opportunities for faculty to participate in a rich set of extracurricular activities designed to build our students' professional identity.

The position begins on Monday, August 17, 2026 pending Governing Board ratification. Classes may be in a traditional "in class" setting, online, or hybrid format scheduled over summer and/or winter months, and at various campus locations, including days, evenings, and/or weekends.

Faculty actively participate in curriculum development, program planning, and serves on participatory governance committees. Cabrillo provides excellent opportunities to learn, collaborate, create, and make a difference in the lives of its diverse student body and community.

About Us: Cabrillo College is honored to participate in the California Guided Pathways project helping students achieve their educational goals, and is highly regarded for its success of transfer and career education. The college is proud to enroll over 11,400 students each semester, and many of our students transfer to nearby universities - the University of California at Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, and California State University at Monterey Bay.

On October 21, 2024, Cabrillo College was ranked the best community college in California, based upon a study released by SmartAsset in the Miami Herald, and in the same study was ranked 37th overall in the United States. Join us as we shape futures together!

About Our Community: While Santa Cruz is primarily known as "Surf City" for our beaches and surfing, we have so much more to offer! Our cozy little county has famous coastal redwoods; the spectacularly scenic San Lorenzo River Valley; well-known coastal beaches; and our abundant agricultural south county. Aside from our miles of beaches, we have multiple state parks, two colleges, wineries, a delicious agriculture and food scene, a symphony, the last major seaside amusement park on the West Coast, an NBA-G League team (go, Warriors!), museums, a national repertory Shakespeare company, and more that virtually guarantee something for everyone. Find your professional and personal well-being here at Cabrillo in our celebrated community!

Click here to learn more about our Engineering Department

Click here to read the most recent Engineering Program Plan

Click here to learn more about the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)

Examples of Duties

Instructional Duties:

Teach assigned classes, which may include evening or off-campus assignments
Provide leadership for the Engineering Abroad Program
Engage in participatory governance committees, processes, and initiatives such as Guided Pathway
Maintain timely and accurate records of student enrollment, attendance, and academic progress
Provide academic assistance and related services to students during scheduled office hours
Cooperate with and participate as may be required in District investigations and/or student grievance matters of alleged unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff
Complete required District trainings such as Title IX, Mandated Reporter, EEO/Diversity/Elimination of Bias, Workplace Safety, etc.

Department Chair Duties:

In addition to instructor duties, this faculty member will be expected to serve as the Department Chair. Under supervision of the Dean of STEM, duties may include, but are not limited to:

Staffing

Recommends to the appropriate administrator full-time and associate faculty staffing needs.
Recommends to the appropriate administrator support staff needs.
With discipline faculty, writes job announcements, and recommends search and selection committee composition.
Assists Human Resources and the appropriate administrator in recruitment of faculty and classified employees.
Participates in and may coordinate search and selection activities for associate faculty.
Organizes new employee orientations regarding department procedures, instructional issues, and safety training.
Works with faculty to provide for mentoring of new contract and associate faculty.
Works with faculty to support course consistency in accordance with the official course outline.
Interviews and recommends the hiring of student workers; submits employment paperwork.
In consultation with the appropriate administrator, may identify the need to add classes, cancel classes, or find substitutes to cover classes or appointments.

Budget

Coordinates, reviews and recommends department expenditures for department needs within established budget parameters and administrative procedures.
Submits department budget modification/revision proposals with faculty as identified in instructional/student services planning processes.
May direct the operation of a District-sponsored department that generates income in support of the instructional department.

Curriculum/Services

Recommends department expansion and modification as identified in instructional/student services plans.
Leads faculty efforts in maintaining currency, quality and effectiveness in department curriculum/services.
Assists faculty to develop and format curriculum proposals.
Coordinates and participates in community advisory committee or articulation officer/transfer committee and serves as liaison to department faculty.

Scheduling

Working with faculty, prepares schedule recommendations within District guidelines and parameters.
Working with faculty, reviews and makes corrections to class schedule and catalog during production.
Recommends contract and associate faculty assignments to appropriate administrators according to established procedures and parameters.

Instructional Planning

Serves as primary resource to department faculty and support staff during the instructional planning process.
Works with faculty to encourage participation and involvement in the development of the Instructional Plan.
In accordance with CIP guidelines, coordinates the writing of the Instructional Plan.
Coordinates and guides the operation of the department in concert with the Instructional Plan.

Accreditation, Certification and Professional Licensing

Coordinates nursing program compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies compliance in accordance with board policy.
Monitors, and ensures compliance and advises regarding all required nursing specific certifications and licenses.

Facilities Operation, Purchasing and Maintenance

May direct the operation of a District instructional facility that, in addition to serving as a classroom, provides services to students or community members.
Works with faculty in ordering supplies specialized to the department, and in the repair and maintenance of equipment.

Student Recruitment, Advisement and Retention

Coordinates and assists with the recruitment, retention, prerequisite challenges, and tracking of students within the assigned department.
In conjunction with the counseling division, performs department and career advising.
Works with the marketing and communications department to coordinate faculty activities regarding marketing and recruitment as outlined in the approved instructional plan.
Responds to students and the community regarding department questions and concerns.

Community Collaboration (Industry/Educational Institutions)

Coordinates faculty activities in university, high school, and community outreach and events as outlined in the approved instructional plan.
Works with appropriate administrators and Planning and Research Office in conducting industry surveys.
Works with the marketing and communications department to coordinate press releases, advertisements and other public information promoting departments and events.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited organization and licensure qualifications:

Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation, of community college students, faculty, and staff AND
Master's in any field of engineering OR
Bachelor's in any field of engineering AND a Master's in mathematics, physics, computer science, chemistry or geology. (NOTE: A bachelor's in any field of engineering with a professional engineer's license is an alternative qualification for this discipline) OR
A lifetime California Community College Instructor Credential in Engineering
OR THE EQUIVALENT
- The state of California has established minimum qualifications for academic positions in California Community Colleges to promote professionalism, instructional integrity, and academic rigor. Each discipline has specific, approved degree majors that are listed above. You must complete and attach an Equivalency Form with your application if your degree major does not match one of the disciplines listed above. This form allows Cabrillo College's Equivalency Committee to review your education and/or professional experience to determine whether it is equivalent in level, content, and rigor to the required degree. Applications cannot be considered without a completed Equivalency Form, even if your degree is closely related.
  - For example: If the MQs list a Master's in Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences, and your degree is in Geosciences or Earth and Environmental Studies, you must request equivalency by submitting the form with your application.

TO REQUEST EQUIVALENCY:

Complete the Equivalency Form and attach it to your application
- Be sure to attach supporting documents - such as unofficial transcripts, course descriptions, certificates, or verification of professional experience.

Still completing your degree?

Applicants currently finishing their degree(s) are welcome to apply! However, they must also submit an Equivalency Form with unofficial transcripts.
This requirement also applies to applicants who have completed all coursework but are awaiting official degree conferral.

Required Professional Expertise:

Currency and depth of knowledge in the applicable professional field, curriculum development, review and assessment of student learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of programs such as Guided Pathways, that address commitment to equity-minded and culturally responsive teaching strategies enhancing student success
Work cooperatively and demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of students, administrators, faculty, and staff
Strong verbal and written communication skills, and proficient use of technology
Evidence of professional activities and service beyond primary teaching assignments

Desired Qualifications/Performance Expectations:

Successful online teaching experience.
Experience teaching with AutoCAD.
Experience teaching with surveying equipment such as total stations.

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete the application with a minimum of three (3) professional references and answer all supplemental questions (do not copy/paste from your application or resume, indicate "See x", or "Provided upon interview"); provide detailed information to aid in determining the minimum qualification requirements have been met
Attach a resume or CV detailing teaching and professional work experience
Attach one of the following:
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended displaying any degrees conferred (copies, photos, and downloads are acceptable; diplomas and certificates are not). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency and attached (at the applicant's expense) - click here for more information OR
- A Copy of a lifetime California Community College Instructor credential in Engineering, front and back (if applicable) OR
- A completed and signed Equivalency Form as needed - click here. Refer to the equivalency information listed in the Minimum Qualifications area to determine whether this form is necessary.

Please note: All application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date indicated above. Once submitted, applications are unable to be amended and will require a new application for revisions.

Attention Applicants

Only completed applications with the above required attached documents will be reviewed. Application materials not listed above (such as cover letters, letters of recommendation, statements, etc.) will not be reviewed by the committee. Applicants need to remove personally identifiable information such as photos of themselves, social security number, birth year, age, and gender from application materials. Expenses related to the general application process (obtaining/translating documents, etc.) are the responsibility of the applicant. Cabrillo College may provide a travel reimbursement to eligible candidates based on travel distance. A candidate is eligible for travel reimbursement when they have participated in an in-person interview for first- and/or second-level interviews and distance. We are unable to sponsor any work visas.

Questions? Concerns? Please contact HR at cabrillohr@cabrillo.edu as Departments, Divisions, and Committee Members are unable to discuss active recruitments with potential candidates.

Selection Procedure

Meeting the posted requirements is not a guarantee of an interview. A written performance exercise and/or teaching demonstration/presentation may be a part of the interview. Finalists will be invited to return for a second interview. All notifications will be via email, AND by accessing your application profile. Initial interviews are tentatively slated for March 2026, but are subject to change.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates given a conditional offer of employment are required to submit tuberculosis screening clearance results, official transcripts, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and present their Social Security card upon hire for payroll purposes. Cabrillo is an E-Verify employer.

EEO Statement

Cabrillo College is an equal opportunity employer seeking a diverse pool of qualified applicants. The policy of the College is to encourage applications from all persons. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, color, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, medical conditions, status, or protected veteran status.

Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to complete the employment process must notify Human Resources at cabrillohr@cabrillo.edu.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/cabrilloedu/jobs/5173543/engineering-instructor-department-chair-tenure-track