Dental Therapy - Associate Faculty Pool

Dental Therapy - Associate Faculty Pool

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Mount Vernon, WA

Job Type

Associate Faculty

Job Number

A26-006

Department

Academic Education

Opening Date

04/24/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The Opportunity: Do you have a passion and interest in diminishing oral health disparities in underserved communities? Are you currently in the field of oral health and interested in transitioning your career to an education program preparing the next generation of Dental Therapists? Skagit Valley Collegte is accepting applications for associate faculty to teach for the Dental Therapy Education Department. The purpose of posting this position is to build a pool of qualified instructors interested in teach didactically, pre0clincally and/or clinically. This Associate Faculty position will instruct students seeking their degree in Dental Therapy.

The d?x?x?ay?bus (pronounced dah-hi-ya-buus-the Lushootseed Tribe word for "place of smiles") Dental Therapy at SVC was developed in partnership with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The program will work with tribal and underserved communities to diminish health disparities and increase access to oral healthcare through training and employment of Dental Therapists. SVC educational programs are designed to meet community needs and create a campus climate that promotes innovative teaching, quality scholarship, a welcoming learning environment, equitable access, and educational achievement for all students.

Under the supervision of the d?x?x?ay?bus Dental Therapy Program Director, associate faculty are responsible for developing, planning, organizing, directing, and integrating the didactic, pre-clinical, clinical training, and applicable community outreach activities in coordination with other program faculty. This position provides didactic and/or clinical oral health instructions to Dental Therapy students. This position may also perform clinical services for patients as well as clinical supervision of Dental Therapy trainees at SVC, clinical site facilities, and during the community rotations. This position will have the opportunity to collaborate with other d?x?x?ay?bus Dental Therapy personnel when coordinating Dental Therapy Program activities while supporting the activities of the d?x?x?ay?bus Dental Therapy Program Director and the other supporting faculty as assigned.

As a new faculty role in the dental therapy program, within the first six months to a year, you will have the opportunity to form relationships with d?x?x?ay?bus partners and SVC staff and faculty across the District. You will be engaged in assisting with the coordination, planning, evaluation, modification, and implementation of the education program in collaboration with SVC faculty, Dental Therapy partners, and the Program Director. This may include curriculum development, accreditation activities, and participating in hiring functions for new faculty and staff for the program. The program received full accreditation from CODA (Commission of Dental Accreditation) in February of 2025, and graduated its first class later that Spring.

This position is based primarily at the Mount Vernon Campus; however, all faculty are co-located at the Swinomish Dental Clinic in La Conner and will travel between sites and/or to other locations across the state.

Please note that this posting is reviewed and hired on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Candidates will be directly contacted by the department as employment opportunities arise. Full-time faculty positions re available and may be offered to faculty that fit the needs of the program.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities." SVCs commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all. SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Instruction Responsibility

• Serve as faculty at SVC, collaborating and calibrating day-to-day with d?x?x?ay?bus Dental Therapy instructors and administrative staff; instruct and oversee trainees; and provide technical support as required;
• Provide classroom and/or online instruction in didactic pre-clinical and clinical oral health in Dental Therapy;
• Responsible for ensuring quality oral health care is provided for all patients treated in the program (this may include screenings, exams, and providing direct patient care within the facultys scope and privileging);
• Engage in scholarly activities that complement and inform teaching;
• Fulfill faculty responsibilities in accordance with the negotiated agreement and Skagit Valley College policies;
• Conduct ongoing development, assessment, and revision of curriculum that reflects innovative and inclusive pedagogy and advances in the field of Dental Therapy;
• Participate in and develop clinical calibration exercises for all program faculty and preceptorship associate faculty.

Student Engagement and Learning

• Create a positive learning environment for students using varied teaching methods to support and enhance student success;
• Incorporate an equity-minded approach to teaching and learning. Develop staff skills and training plans;
• Counsel, train, and coach staff, implement corrective actions, and conduct performance evaluations;
• Counsel students and provide special help as needed; Advise, tutor, and mentor trainees-including those from underrepresented and underserved groups-in individual and group settings, tracking and reporting trainee progress.

Program Duties

• Provide leadership in delivering the Dental Therapy curriculum, developing innovative programming, curricula, and pedagogy that incorporate program and general education learning outcomes;
• Provide guidance and promote a productive and healthy work environment to assigned staff;
• Work collaboratively with SVC faculty from other fields to ensure curriculum for the Dental Therapy program that reflects the SVC Dental Therapy program mission, vision, and goals;
• Assist in developing, assessing, and analyzing program outcomes for program improvement and enhanced student learning;
• Participate in continuing education as necessary to meet changing program needs and to maintain necessary professional skills and certification;
• Work collaboratively with the program, College, and program-affiliated personnel to ensure compliance with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accreditation requirements, Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) Certification Board and Regional Licensing Standards and Procedures, state and federal safety regulations related to clinical facilities and clinical operations;
• Serve as a liaison with clinic sites and coordinate all activities pertaining to clinical education training, and new clinical site development, and address all personnel or operational issues;
• Coordinate site visits and other evaluations and reviews;
• Serve as program committee lead as assigned.

Other Duties

• Develop goals and priorities and assign tasks and projects;
• Actively participate in at-large activities at SVC that promote diversity, professionalism, and/or leadership;
• Participate in division, department, and other college activities, including college governance;
• Provide other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal, and local regulations and programs;
• Knowledge of dental health policies and requirements;
• Knowledge of clinical dentistry techniques;
• Knowledge and experience managing a clinical training program;
• Knowledge of relevant clinic management, patient safety, compliance, and other risk management practices, including privacy laws and regulations;
• Skill in training students;
• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others;
• Skill in oral and written communication;
• Skill in operating a personal computer using a variety of software applications;
• Ability to maintain partnerships and interagency community connections;
• Engage students through innovative instructional approaches such as service learning projects, and contextualized learning;
• Demonstrate commitment to equity-minded approaches to teaching and learning;
• Practice and adopt a variety of active learning strategies that facilitate student learning and that are inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds;
• Support students in accessing appropriate instructional and non-instructional services to facilitate student retention, completion, and academic success for all students;
• Adapt to a variety of teaching situations, including interdisciplinary learning communities, and online and hybrid modalities;
• Express appropriate awareness of the history of underrepresented groups to promote an equitable work and learning environment;
• Recruit and inspire diverse student populations to embrace learning and facilitate completion;
• Work and interact effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators, and other various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in support of SVCs commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Act according to principles of integrity, respect, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Oral Health Professional (Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist, or Dentist);
• Licensure or certification to practice OR have the ability to obtain a license to practice dentistry in Washington within six (6) months of hire;
• Three (3) years of Public Health Services (PHS), Indian Health Services (IHS), or tribal health experience or similar (education, underserved community practice, rural setting).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Didactic and clinical teaching experience;
• Graduate of a CODA accredited program;
• Experience working with tribal or underserved communities, especially providing dental practice in such communities;
• Clinical teaching and clinical management experience;
• Fluency with electronic dental records;
• Experience working with underrepresented populations.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits:

The salary rate for part-time faculty is in accordance with the negotiated agreement and may be subject to change based on legislative mandates. In order to be eligible for benefits, state regulations must be met.

Rate of Pay: Faculty compensation units (FCU) are computed by total hours (lecture, lab, clinical) identified on the approved course outline for a given course, divided by eleven (11). Associate faculty pay is computed by multiplying the faculty compensation unit rate by the number of faculty compensation units.

The current FCU rate for 2025-26 at Step A is $1,084.00 (includes I-732 COLA of 3.0% for 2025-26).

Example of Associate Faculty pay (this is for illustrative purposes only):

• Course: BISC 220 | 33 lecture, 44 lab
• 33 + 44 = 77
• 7/11= 7 FCUs
• A Step A faculty member would be paid 7 x FCU rate $1,084.00 = $7,588.00

Associate and full-time faculty in the Dental Therapy Program may be eligible for a high-demand salary stipend for additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, 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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications, and
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
• The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
• A current curriculum vitae; (Attachment: curriculum vitae);
• A cover letter/letter of interest addressing the minimum and desired qualifications for the position. (Attachment: Cover Letter).

Application Deadline: Application materials will be accepted until this position is filled. Applications will be kept on file to be considered for openings that may occur in the future. It is recommended that you resubmit your application for each academic year to remain in the current applicant pool. The College reserves the right to hire one or more candidates.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date. Information on SVCs Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at:https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 orcarolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 orsandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Why work at Skagit Valley College?

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound in the northwest corner of Washington State, Skagit Valley College offers a unique and highly regarded transfer curriculum and professional-technical programs that respond to the workforce needs of the region. The College celebrates diversity in its staff and students, and adheres to a set of guiding principles: respect, integrity, open and honest communication, and collaboration.

Benefits

Benefits eligibility is determined in accordance with state regulations.

01

Select from below the options that best describe your highest education attained.

• Not applicable.
• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Some college: one (1) to two (2) years of college.
• Some college: three (3) to four (4) years or more of college.
• Associates degree or equivalent.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent.
• Masters degree, or higher degree.

02

Do you have a licensure or certification to practice dental therapy or have the ability to obtain a license to practice dentistry in Washington within six (6) months of hire?

• Yes
• No

03

Specify the field of study of your highest education attained if applicable, or if further clarification is needed relating to your highest education attained, please describe in the text box below (if not applicable, type "n/a"). Please also indicate the degree awarded for your professional license.

04

Select from below the options that best describe your experience in Public Health Services (PHS), Indian Health Services (IHS), tribal health experience or similar.

• None / not applicable - no relevant experience, or related experience.
• 1 month to 6 months of experience.
• 6 months to 11 months of experience.
• 12 months to 23 months of experience.
• 24 months to 35 months of experience.
• 36 months to 47 months of experience.
• 48 months to 59 months of experience.
• 60 months or more of experience.

05

In the text box below, describe how you meet this qualification: Experience in Public Health Services (PHS), Indian Health Services (IHS), or tribal health experience. Responses such as "see resume" or similar may be considered incomplete and result in disqualification.

06

Please indicate if you are willing and qualified to teach in the following areas. Select all that apply.

• Didactic
• Pre-clinical
• Clinical

07

Acknowledgement: SVC reserves the right to determine the work modality for each position. The individual selected for this role must reside in Washington State or have the ability to relocate.

• Yes, I reside in Washington State or have the ability to relocate.
• No, I do not reside in Washington State but I have the ability to relocate.
• No, I do not reside in Washington State and do not have the ability to relocate.

08

I am aware that a satisfactory result from a background check is a requirement of this position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Skagit Valley College

Address 2405 E College Way

Mount Vernon, Washington, 98273

Website http://www.skagit.edu