Paralegal Professor - Part-time

Who We Are

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third-largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to the Puyallup Reservation to make way for settlers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of this community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. TCC is committed to increasing Native visibility by developing more culturally responsive curriculum. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. We are committed to infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives and experiences of the Black community into our curriculum. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

Tacoma Community College is a public two-year institution that serves a diverse population of approximately 12,000 students. Our students reflect the diversity of our community; we serve 27% students of color, 60% female, and a median age of 26. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our Mission Statement says, "As the community's college, we create meaningful learning, advance equity, and strengthen student and community success." Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion. According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty. To grow this workforce, we seek to recruit faculty who exemplify similar attributes:

• Commitment to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population,
• Reflects the diversity of our community,
• Values intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching,
• Honors the campus mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities,
• Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for historically underserved populations,
• Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others, and
• Engages with the community both within and outside of TCC.

Regional Setting

For information on Tacoma and the surrounding area: https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/life_in_tacomaTacoma Community College seeks a part-time professor to join our Business, Paralegal & Technology faculty team in our Paralegal Program. This position will include responsibility for the development, preparation, and delivery of courses in the certificate and associate degree paralegal programs. Teaching assignments will regularly include daytime in-person assignments scheduled between 10 am and 3 pm weekdays and may occasionally include evening classes. All in-person classes are held on the main campus of Tacoma Community College. This position works closely with the Paralegal Program chair and reports directly to the Dean of Business, Paralegal and Technology.

**Part-Time Faculty positions at the college are open continuously and reviewed on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Individuals who apply to the applicant pool are considered active for a period of 12 months from the application date and may be contacted when vacancies occur. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a position will be available or offered.

Essential Functions

• Prepare curriculum and teach assigned paralegal education courses according to the established course learning outcomes. These courses will include legal research and writing, the integration of legal technology, as well as legal subject matter courses.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate curricula at the rigor appropriate for the degree and certificate program and in accordance with the ABA requirements on paralegal education.
• Competently use Canvas, the learning management system, to complement in-person instruction.
• Communicate expectations and establish clear grading criteria through appropriate instructional means, evaluate student progress, and provide clear, timely feedback within Canvas.
• Collaborate with the program chair to ensure all course-related data is collected and stored in Canvas to support ABA reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with other Paralegal faculty and TCC staff.
• Employ innovative and inclusive teaching methods designed to engage and retain a diverse student population, particularly historically under-represented groups such as black and brown students.
• Evaluate student learning through a variety of methods, including exams, projects, and assignments.
• Provide timely feedback to students.
• Maintain regular office hours according to the current faculty negotiated agreement (TCCFT) to improve student retention and success.
• Foster a positive and supportive learning environment that encourages student success.
• Commit to remaining current in the field.
• Participate in college, department, and general faculty meetings in support of college, division and program goals.
• Actively participate in departmental responsibilities including curriculum review, assessment, program development, and faculty meetings.
• Participate in the college's professional development.
• Use technology tools to enhance student learning in any learning environment.
• Adhere to college policies and procedures.
• Commit to Tacoma Community College's mission and embrace the values of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Qualifications

Duties of the position require the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or the willingness to learn them:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
• Proficiency in using technology for teaching and learning.
• Commitment to student success.
• Experience or demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in the classroom.
• Ability to prepare and deliver courses at the associate degree level in compliance with the requirements of the American Bar Association.
• Willingness and ability to work with colleagues on curriculum and program development incorporating current educational theories and research and integrating new and innovative approaches to instruction.
• Development and use of a variety of instructional strategies appropriate to the needs of learners in any modality or classroom environment.
• Evaluation of student progress and provide clear, timely feedback using program criteria and expectations.
• Ethical decision making and sound professional judgement.
• Commitment to the mission of Tacoma Community College.
• Commitment to developing a diverse workforce for Pierce County.
• Commitment to teaching in a community college setting and a strong awareness and appreciation of the benefits of diversity, cultural awareness, and sensitivity in the workplace.
• Commitment to establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff representing diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work successfully with the varied and diverse students and staff of the college.
• Dynamic, non-traditional delivery methods to teach students of widely varying levels of proficiency and from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
• Committed to remain current in the field.
• Strong critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups from the community as well as students, staff, faculty, and administration.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• 3 years of work experience in a legal setting with paralegal team members.
• Ability to meet State of Washington vocational certification requirements, as well as ABA requirements for teaching in an ABA approved paralegal studies program
• Experience using online learning management systems.
• Ability to teach courses offered between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm weekdays and evenings depending on the quarterly needs.
• Experience or demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning, and working environment that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited college or university.
• Current license to practice law in Washington and a commitment to maintain a license to practice law in the State of Washington.
• Experience teaching in higher education.
• Teaching experience including the use of an online learning management system to design courses, provide course instruction, and complete course and program assessment.
• Experience using Canvas or other LMS at an intermediate/advanced level.
• Awareness of current trends in paralegal education or experience supervising paralegal or legal assistant staff.
• Experience teaching legal research and writing.

• Successfully complete a criminal history background check prior to employment.
• This is a part-time faculty position contracted on a quarterly basis.
• Any license/certification requirements
• Any additional background testing dependent on the department/division

Application Process

Application Materials & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College application form.
2. Resume and cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications.
3. UNOFFICIAL Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended (official transcripts will be required for the successful candidate).
4. Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multi-cultural climate that welcomes, fosters, respects, and celebrates diversity. Please attach a statement (maximum two pages) describing your experiences with other cultures and communities, your level of cultural self-awareness and how you have integrated both experience and self- awareness into your living/working environment.

Terms of Employment
This is a part time faculty position contracted on a quarterly basis. Part time faculty salary range is per credit hour starting at $1,217.70 to $1,457.68 Salary ranges are subject to any approved COLA's after initial placement. If applicable, Lab credit hours are paid at 50% the credit hour rate. Professional Services hours are paid at a flat rate of $46.00-$46.00 per hour. Placement on the faculty salary schedule will commensurate with educational background and experience per the 2024Faculty Negotiated Agreement(Article 4.00 Academic Employee Compensation ).Part-time faculty may become eligible for healthcare and retirement benefits at the beginning of the second consecutive quarter of half-time or more employment at one or more Washington state institutions of higher education. Half time is determined based on each institution's definition of full time. Members may 'stack' workloads between other qualifying colleges. A part-time faculty member must qualify each quarter they teach, to maintain eligibility. Once eligible, part-time faculty will be notified of their benefit and retirement options. Tacoma Community College offers offers one personal leave day per academic year if the PTF have been awarded a multi-quarter appointment. Sick leave is awarded every quarter based on the full-time equivalent teaching percent. If eligibility requirements are met, a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans reduced tuitionfor the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. A collective bargaining agreement exist and membership in the TCC Federation of Teachers or payment of a service fee and is available anytime upon hire. Evening and off campus assignments may be a part of the instructional load. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the department. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Student Affairs Administration Office at 253-566-5115. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.