Position Summary

The Opportunity: Do you have a passion and interest in diminishing oral health disparities for underserved communities? Are you currently in the field of Clinical Dental Health and interested in transitioning your career to an education program preparing the next generation of Dental Therapists? Skagit Valley College (SVC) is seeking qualified teacher-scholars for a full-time, temporary position of Dental Therapy Faculty.

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 diverse learning environment, equitable access, and educational achievement for all students.

Under supervision of the d?x?x?ay?bus-Dental Therapy Program Director, full-time program 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 clinical oral health instructions to Dental Therapy students. This position will 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 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 includes curriculum development, accreditation activities, and participating in hiring functions for new faculty and staff for the program. Pending final accreditation from CODA (Commission of Dental Accreditation), the program plans to graduate its first class in Spring 2025 and will include didactic and pre-clinical training at the Mount Vernon campus of SVC, clinical training at the Swinomish Dental Clinic in La Conner, various community rotations, and concludes with a 14-week preceptorship experience at sites sponsoring students.

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

SVC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for non-native English speakers and other diverse groups. In so doing, we offer our students and community not only the opportunity to learn about varied disciplines but to engage with diverse perspectives and ways of knowing and learning. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

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.”

SVC's 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.

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.

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.

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

SVC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for non-native English speakers and other diverse groups. In so doing, we offer our students and community not only the opportunity to learn about varied disciplines but to engage with diverse perspectives and ways of knowing and learning. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Did You Know: Skagit Valley College is an innovative community college committed to offering inclusive access to educational opportunities, supporting student achievement, and engaging our community. SVC is nationally known for learning communities and support for high-impact teaching practices that improve the lives of our students. We are committed to creating student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity to strengthen our local and global communities. We practice a high degree of collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators to lead initiatives that advance student success and strengthen our increasingly diverse district. We value student and colleague engagement in creating an equitable, diverse, innovative, learning-centered environment.

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 responsibilities:

• Serve as faculty at SVC, providing day-to-day guidance to assigned 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 and clinical oral health in Dental Therapy;
• Engage in scholarly activities that complement and inform teaching;
• Fulfill full-time 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 diverse 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 develop appropriate curriculum for the Dental Therapy program that reflects diversity of student experience, including underrepresented and underserved students;
• Assist in developing, assessing, and analyzing program outcomes for the purpose of 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, new clinical site development, and address any and 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.

• Instructional Excellence: Demonstrates (and sustains through professional development) instructional excellence by incorporating high-impact practices and subject matter expertise and drawing on college resources including technology, to create a learning environment that supports student achievement.

• Student Learning Assessment: Provides consistent, timely formative and summative performance assessment, promotes student self-assessment, and creates opportunities for student feedback to support student achievement and engagement.

• Program and Course Assessment: Contributes to ongoing program and course assessment activities and to the related development and revision of curriculum.

• Advising: Fosters relationship-based advising connections with students in support of student’s academic and career aspirations.

• Service to the College: Participates in college governance, campus life and/or community relations.

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 socio-economic backgrounds in support of SVC's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Act according to principles of integrity, respect, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Mid-level dental provider that has graduated from an approved Dental Therapy Education Program OR higher (DDS, DMD).
• Licensure or certification to practice dental therapy OR ability to obtain license to practice dentistry in Washington within 6 months of hire.
• Three (3) years of Public Health Services (PHS), Indian Health Services (IHS) or tribal health experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Didactic and clinical teaching experience.
• 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

Salary and Benefits:

• Initial base annual salary placement for 2024-2025 ranges from $72,818 to $97,091 for a standard 172-day contract. Salary is anticipated at $180,000 to $200,000, depending on qualifications.
• The College has a negotiated faculty wage scale in which placement on the salary structure is in accordance with the SVC Federation of Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• A standard 172-day contract is written annually for the period of September to June. Late contracts will be prorated on the basis of work days remaining in the contract year.
• This position is exempt from the overtime pay requirements of The Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The College has a negotiated faculty wage scale in which placement on the salary structure is in accordance with the SVC Federation of Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

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 applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position

• 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:

• 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 letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after May 21, 2024. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

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.

Priority Screening Date: May 21, 2024

Interviews with Committee: TBD

Finalist Interviews: TBD

Selection: TBD

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 SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found atOPPM 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 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace, continually support, and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.