The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.” We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences — emphasizing collaboration and engaging students in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to realize their goals, and to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our team at San Mateo County Community College District, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners.

The San Mateo County Community College District is home to Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. All three of our colleges are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions enrolling approximately 33,000 students each academic year. San Mateo County Community College District has a diverse student population that is a reflection of the communities that it serves. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the  San Mateo County Community College District’s Educational Services & Planning website.

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to: 
 
(1) Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as educators for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices; 
 
(2) Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility; 
 
(3) Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference; 
 
(4) Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and 
 
(5) Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives. 
 
The San Mateo County Community College District seeks employees who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals. All departments strongly encourage collaboration across disciplines to create inclusive, integrated, and interdisciplinary learning experiences. College faculty are expected to be knowledgeable about, and willing to use, different learning and teaching methods appropriate to the students they serve. 
 
Your cover letter must include discussion of the following questions: 
 
• What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized? 
 
• Think of the most successful class you have taught. What were the key factors in creating that success for racially-minoritized and other underserved disproportionately disadvantaged students? 
 
• How is your teaching approach culturally-responsive to the students you serve?

The Colleges seek a part-time faculty member in Paralegal Studies. The ideal candidate will share the Colleges’ commitment to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. 
 
This position is a “pool” position meaning that openings may or may not be currently available. The District maintains a “pool” of applications for positions which are needed on an ongoing basis at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. The advantage of “pool” positions is when a position becomes available, the Dean may immediately begin screening applications from the available pool of applicants without having to post a position and wait while the position is being advertised. Your application for this position will be kept current for a period of two years.

The duties below are representative of the position and not intended to cover all of the duties performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment. 
 
Primary responsibilities include the following: 
 
1. Teach courses in the Paralegal Studies program 
 
2. Develop and evaluate curricula appropriate to the different learning needs of students as well as developing student learning outcomes 
 
3. Provide an equitable classroom environment that promotes learning for every student 
 
4. Use and stay abreast of current pedagogies and technologies that are effective in a diverse classroom 
 
5. Consult with students during regularly-scheduled office hours 
 
6. Perform other professional duties as required by contract or divisional and institutional needs 
 
i. A portion of the teaching assignment may consist of evening or weekend classes.

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or above AND two years of experience in legal assisting (paralegal) OR an Associate degree AND six years of experience in legal assisting (paralegal) OR the equivalent (see below) 
 
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff

For persons applying for this position based on Equivalence, please answer the supplemental question on the online application indicating one or more of the following: 
 
b. Degree Equivalence 
 
The applicant possesses a degree(s) with similar content to those listed for the relevant discipline. The name of the degree is close to that specified on the Disciplines List but the degree either has a different title or area of expertise or the coursework is slightly different. 
 
b. Academic Background Equivalence 
 
Related to disciplines in which a Master’s Degree is not generally expected or available. The applicant must have completed at least 24 semester units of coursework in the academic field and must possess at least the equivalent level of achievement and the equivalent in breadth, depth of understanding, and rigor in each of the following: 
 
i) a broad cultural education usually met by the general education requirements for any Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree, and 
 
ii) a detailed study of the discipline in breadth, depth, and rigor, usually met by course work required for the degree major. 
 
b. Professional Achievement Equivalence 
 
The applicant must have completed the General Education requirements for that degree and show evidence of outstanding professional achievement and/or substantial training in the requested field. The applicant must submit substantial evidence, which demonstrates that his/her preparation, teaching experience, work experience, and ability are equivalent to those expected from a person who meets the minimum qualifications.

Preference will be given to candidates with: 
 
i. Subject matter preparation: 
 
1. Successful experience in teaching or evidence of preparation to teach the full range of college paralegal studies courses 
 
2. Possession of certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program 
 
3. Active member of the State Bar of California in good standing 
 
i. Evidence of outstanding ability as a teacher 
 
In addition to a short classroom teaching demonstration and written skills demonstration that will be part of the interview process, appropriate evidence includes, but is not limited to, experience, training, or achievement that the candidate has: 
 
4. Ability to teach both theoretical concepts and practical skills needed for paralegal employment 
 
5. Commitment to and proficiency in creating curricula and methods of delivery that reflect present department standards and practices 
 
6. Evidence of training and/or history of effective interaction with students at the basic and developmental levels 
 
7. Knowledge of program specific data collection and data analysis 
 
8. The ability to use instructional methods that emphasize cooperation and collaboration and that reflect cultural sensitivity and interdisciplinary approaches to subject matter 
 
9. The ability to motivate students from a broad spectrum of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as levels of preparation 
 
10. Experience in computer-based applications and modern technologies for teaching paralegal courses 
 
11. Knowledge of the issues surrounding the training and employment of paralegals and legal assistants 
 
12. Experience or familiarity with the development of student learning outcomes and with assessment, as well as program review, for paralegal courses 
 
13. Familiarity with and willingness to expand the use of technology appropriate to the subject areas of the assignment, including distance education 
 
14. Willingness to collaborate in college-wide and departmental activities to assess and improve student learning outcomes 
 
15. Understanding of and commitment to the role and purpose of the community college, including the mission and values of the District’s colleges 
 
16. Ability to use teaching methods that emphasize cooperation and collaboration and engage students actively in their studies, encouraging them to become critical thinkers and independent learners 
 
i. Evidence of effectiveness as a colleague: 
 
17. Ability and desire to work collaboratively with faculty members and staff to enhance instruction, curriculum, and student success 
 
18. Commitment to professional responsibilities outside of the classroom through enthusiastic contributions to department, division and college activities

Possession of a J.D. or L.L.B. degree desired.

Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS), a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California or they may choose to participate in the STRS Cash Balance program or Social Security.

Required application materials will be screened on the basis of Requirements and Desirable Skills and Abilities listed in this announcement. Candidates for interview will be selected from among those who most closely meet the requirements and desirable skills and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide a teaching demonstration or demonstrate other job-related skills.

Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following: 
 
1. Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions) 
 
i. Foreign Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs in order for it to be considered for the satisfaction of minimum qualifications. Foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a U.S.-based credentials evaluation service. The District currently accepts evaluations from agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 
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2. Submit verification’s of prior employment 
3. Satisfactory references 
4. Successfully being cleared for employment through the background checking process 
 
i. In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information about a candidate on the Internet. If a candidate is aware of incorrect or inaccurate information that is available on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address such an issue with the Office of Human Resources. 
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5. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States 
6. Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees 
7. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment. 
8. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying.

San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) 2020 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. Our 2020 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies, such as those concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The 2020 Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every member of the community remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2020  Annual Security Report is now available. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000.