Psychology: Contract Instructor-College Credit

Posting Details

Posting Details (Default Section)

Closing Date: 10/04/2026 Open Until Filled No Classification Title Psychology: Contract Instructor-College Credit Working Title Assistant Professor, Psychology Recruitment Limits Location San Diego Mesa College Pay Information Position Equivalent FTE:

1.0 FTE

Job Duration 10 Months Position Number: 002694 FLSA Status Exempt (does not accrue overtime) Bargaining Unit AFT/College Faculty Range (na) Position Type Academic Department School of Social/Beh Sci and Multicul Studies The Position

From San Diego Mesa College President Dr. Ashanti Hands

Thank you for your interest in San Diego Mesa College.

At Mesa College, we believe higher education transforms lives, advances equity, strengthens communities, expands economic mobility, and creates opportunity for generations to come. We seek outstanding educators who are passionate about expanding access, advancing academic excellence and equity, and preparing students for meaningful careers, transfer, and lifelong success alongside colleagues who care deeply about students and one another.

As the largest college in the San Diego Community College District, Mesa College enjoys a strong financial foundation, state of the art facilities, and exceptional faculty, classified professionals, and administrators. Guided by our vision of becoming the Leading College of Equity and Excellence, Mesa College has advanced opportunity since 1964 through innovation, nationally recognized transfer and workforce pathways, two bachelor's degree programs, and a steadfast commitment to student access, completion, and post college success.

Our greatest strength is our people. Every day, our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators work together to ensure students experience belonging, excellence, and transformational opportunity. We foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, continuous improvement, and leadership where every member of our college community is empowered to contribute.

If you are looking for more than your next position, but for a place where your calling can find its fullest expression, where you can lead authentically and courageously, and where your work expands opportunity and helps students achieve their educational and career goals, I invite you to consider joining Mesa College.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Assistant Professor, Psychology, beginning January 2027. San Diego Mesa College is located in the Kearny Mesa community of San Diego and is one of three colleges within the San Diego Community College District. Teaching assignments may include day, evening, Saturday, and or off campus classes.

We look forward to learning how your experiences, talents, and aspirations can contribute to our students, our college, and the communities we are privileged to serve.

While the current vacancy exists at San Diego Mesa College, applicants should understand that they are subject to assignment at any District facility at the option of the Chancellor.

Major Responsibilities

Primary responsibility is the teaching of clinically related courses, such as Abnormal Psychology. The ability to teach Research Methods is desirable but not required. Depending upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate and the needs of the Department, other responsibilities may include teaching General Psychology and/or other courses. The assignment will be for 15 class hours per week, and may include day, evening and Saturday classes. Additional responsibilities of Mesa College tenured/tenure-track faculty include maintaining regular office hours for student advisement, curriculum review and development, serving on College and District committees, and participating in various departmental and college activities.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's in psychology OR
• Bachelor's in psychology AND Master's in counseling, sociology, statistics, neuroscience or social work OR
• the equivalent

Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate should demonstrate evidence of:

• Expertise and training in the field of Clinical Psychology.
• Completion of appropriate coursework in psychology, including Clinical Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods.
• Ability to teach effectively by demonstrating a working knowledge of teaching techniques, along with the ability to effectively and fairly evaluate student performance at the college or university level.
• Recent teaching experiences at the college or university level.
• Recent contributions in their discipline that relate to the activities and goals of their department and/or institution (as a graduate student and/or as a professional).
• Effective oral communication and writing ability.
• Continued professional growth and maintaining currency in the general field of psychology.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Experience and/or knowledge in working with students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation or learning abilities.

Equivalency

If you do not possess the exact degrees, or higher, listed above or if you anticipate receiving the required degree prior to the start of teaching classes, please complete a Request for Equivalency Form and attach it during the application process.

Foreign Degree:

Applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC.(ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.

Licenses/Certificates/Credentials: Commitment to Diversity:

All applicants must have demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and classified professionals.

Click (https://www.sdccd.edu/departments/human-resources/eeo-diversity/policies-and-procedures.aspx) for the EEO / Diversity / Nondiscrimination - Policies and Procedures

Working Conditions

Moderate

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), please submit only the materials specifically requested in this posting (e.g., no personal photos, articles, etc.). Be sure to upload the required documents using the respective document name labels. Uploading extraneous materials, unless explicitly requested, may result in your application not being reviewed. Only complete application packets will be forwarded to the committee.

Application materials sent via mail, fax, or email will not be accepted. All correspondence, including interview invitations, will be communicated via email.

We are dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of all inquiries, nominations, and applications in the strictest confidence, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

• Complete online application;
• Cover Letter;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Unofficial Undergraduate Transcripts;
• Unofficial Graduate Transcripts; AND,
• Three (3) Professional References listed within the online application.
• Equivalency Request (required if applicable).
• Foreign Degree Evaluation (required if applicable).

Tentative Timeline (Subject to Amendments) Conditions of Employment:

SELECTED CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO EMPLOYMENT:

• Submit "official" transcripts as stated on application (From all institutions listed in the online application);
• Provide a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment);
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the District's expense (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment);
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States as required by the I9 Employment Eligibility Verification form; AND,
• Attend a new hire processing appointment in People, Culture, and Technology Services located at the District Administrative Offices; AND,
• Employed on an initial contract of one (1) year that is eligible for renewal annually for up to a subsequent one-year period.

EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT

If you accept a contract (permanent) position with SDCCD and are a retired annuitant with CalPERS or CalSTRS, you must reinstate from your retirement system. Please reference the CalPERS or CalSTRS website for further information.

Additional Information:

New hire placement will begin at Class 6, Step C - $8,849.03 per month based on the current AFT - College Faculty /Tenured-Tenure Track Faculty Salary Schedule. Initial salary placement based on the AFT Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement and is non-negotiable.

SDCCD offers a comprehensive fringe benefit package including employer-paid medical, dental, vision plans, sick leave, and opportunities for professional development. This position is FLSA Exempt and may not accrue overtime. Benefits will be provided under the terms of the AFT-Guild, Local 1931 - Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement. Annual Salaries will be recalculated for service less than a full academic year based on Education Code §87815, any required adjustment will be made within the first pay period. Travel reimbursement for interviewees traveling more than 200 miles, one-way, may be paid according to geographic location (see SDCCD Travel Stipend Policy, Rev 7/14/2011). The SDCCD Employment Web Page provides a link to employee collective bargaining agreements and handbooks, and more information about terms and condition (s) of employment to include salary and benefits.

Posting Number AC01186 Indicate budget number(s)

Required & Optional Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcript (Graduate)
• Unofficial Transcript (Undergraduate)

Optional Documents

• Equivalency Request (required if applicable)
• Foreign Degree Evaluation (required if applicable)

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • I understand that a COMPLETE application packet is required for consideration, which includes the following: 1) All required documents as listed in the special instructions 2) Responses to supplemental questions (clear and detailed responses are required as they will be carefully evaluated to determine the most qualified candidate(s) to be invited for an interview; please do not paste your resume, or put "see resume", or "N/A" or leave blank)

• Yes

• No

• • I understand that my responses to the application supplemental questions are heavily weighted during the application screening and evaluation process, and responses such as "N/A", "see resume", or no responses will result in deduction of points to my application.

• Yes

• No

• • We believe that the application and interview process should be a reflection of your skills, insights, and experiences, and we are looking to understand your unique qualifications for the role. I understand that responses ENTIRELY generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can result in disqualification from the application process.

• Yes

• No

• • In addition to submitting your transcripts, please list the Undergraduate Upper Division courses you have completed in Psychology, along with any relevant Upper Division courses completed in other disciplines. For each course, include the course title and a brief sentence clarifying the course content.

(Open Ended Question)

• • In addition to submitting your transcripts, please list the Graduate courses you have completed in Psychology, along with any relevant Graduate courses completed in other disciplines. For each course, include the course title and a brief sentence clarifying the course content.

(Open Ended Question)

• • In addition to submitting your CV, please list the courses you have taught in any areas of Psychology. Please describe the level of responsibility you had for curriculum creation, assessment, and instruction. Include: course title (annotate, if the course title is not sufficiently descriptive of the course content), level (i.e., lower-division, upper-division, or graduate), and dates.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your approach to teaching, including your teaching methods, philosophy and goals.

(Open Ended Question)

• • To illustrate your teaching approach, please describe specific teaching examples you have used in clinically related courses, such as Abnormal Psychology. And if applicable, also include examples from Research Methods courses.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your coursework, experience and any relevant licenses or certifications that would help your teaching of mental illness and clinically related issues to undergraduate students.

(Open Ended Question)

• • What do you think are the most important qualities and skills when teaching psychology to community college students?

(Open Ended Question)

• • What is your experience with distance learning, online courses, and using technology in the classroom?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Discuss both the pros and cons of incorporating AI into instruction, emphasizing how advances in AI have impacted your approach and/or opinion about online assessment.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe how you maintain currency in the general field of psychology, including any professional development activities in which you have been involved.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Provide examples of recent contributions in your discipline that relate to the activities and goals of your department and/or institution (as a graduate student and/or as a professional).

(Open Ended Question)

• • The San Diego Community College District has a very diverse student, faculty and classified professional population with respect to academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds. Describe your professional development, community involvement, and professional experience working with these diverse groups.

(Open Ended Question)