Physics/Astronomy Instructor

Salary: $81,647.23 - $117,283.39 Annually

Location : Temecula, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 03286

Department: Physics

Division: Instruction

Opening Date: 12/15/2025

Closing Date: 2/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Level: 10 - 15

Salary Schedule Range (From Step - To): 1 - 5

Weekly Hours: Varies (TBD)

Daily Work Schedule (Start - Stop): Varies (TBD)

Contract Length: 10 months

Occupational Group: F Faculty

Position Type: R Regular

Categorically Funded: No

# of Positions: 1

JOB SUMMARY

We have an exciting opportunity for a Physics/Astronomy Instructor position located at our campus in Temecula, CA. Mt. San Jacinto Community College District seeks a Physics/Astronomy Instructor to teach and develop courses in Physics and Astronomy. This is a full-time tenure-track academic position. The ideal candidate is student-oriented in their approach and dedicated to student success and will be skilled in generating student engagement in learning and will create welcoming learning environments that are equity-based and culturally affirming. Full-time faculty are typically assigned 15 lecture hours (or the equivalent in laboratory, studio or related activities) of student contact time per week. Office hours are also required. Faculty are expected to participate in college governance through Academic Senate appointments to standing councils, committees, and/or a variety of task forces. Teaching assignments may include a mixture of day, evening, multi-campus, off-campus, and online classes.

Initial placement on the salary schedule will be commensurate with education and experience, not to exceed step five (5) on the assigned salary schedule. Step five (5) may be exceeded if the district determines an extraordinary need, or circumstance warrants a higher placement. This is a full-time tenure-track academic position. This Academic assignment requires 176 service days per academic year.

While this current vacancy is expected at the Temecula ValleyCampus, applicants may be assigned to any district facility.

The start date for this position will be Fall 2026 (August). Additional openings that become available prior to the end of the hiring process may also be filled from the qualified applicants.

This position is in the California Teachers Association/National Education Association. For more information, please visit their websites andhttp://

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements and duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

Classroom Duties:

Provide instruction that includes lecture and laboratory classes in Physics and Astronomy in accordance with established Mt. San Jacinto Community College District approved curriculum and course outlines

Inform students about course requirements, evaluation procedures, attendance, and participation requirements in a course syllabus

Effectively teach and communicate with students of diverse backgrounds

Interaction with Students Outside Of Class:

Advise students on academic and career matters

Assist in outreach and articulation with District high schools, four-year colleges, and universities

Post and maintain adequate and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy

Out-Of-Class Duties:

Maintain necessary attendance, scholastic and student records, and submit them according to published guidelines

Prepare and grade class assignments and evaluations according to course syllabus and in a timely manner with meaningful feedback

Professional and Curriculum Development:

Maintain currency in field

Develop, maintain, and evaluate curriculum

Maintain and review course specific and program level student learning outcomes

Interact with faculty and staff in other areas of instruction and participate in the development of instructional methods, technology, and materials

Work with peers in higher education, business and industry to maintain currency of instructional programs

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:

Promote equity and student success through the scholarship of teaching and learning

Create communities of practice with faculty and staff in other areas of instruction to develop and implement effective instructional methods, technologies, and materials, in purposeful assessment at the course, program and institutional levels

Foster significant, long-lasting learning for students

Interaction with Colleagues:

Participate in campus/college governance by serving on campus/college committees

Participate in professional development, student, and other educational activities in accordance with college policies

At all times demonstrate respect for the rights and needs of students and demonstrate respect for staff, colleagues, and the teaching profession

Demonstrate 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

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants must upload only the documents listed below. Additional attachments will not be accepted and may result in the application being deemed incomplete or not considered for review.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Transcripts, including a foreign transcript evaluation report (if applicable)

Cover Letter

(Optional) Petition for Equivalence

(Optional) Additional Transcripts

***The degree(s) listed on your conferred transcript(s) must precisely align with the degree titles specified in the and as outlined below. If the degree title on your transcript varies from the specified title, your application will be considered as not meeting the minimum qualifications. In such cases, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Petition for Equivalence. For more information and access to the petition form, please visit the webpage***

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Master's degree from an accredited institution in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics; (attach transcripts) OR

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in physics or astronomy AND A Master's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics;(attach transcripts) OR

The equivalent

***To ensure a fair and compliant screening process, application materials must only include minimal personal information. Application materials must not include your date of birth, Social Security number, photographs, URLs, QR codes, LinkedIn profiles, or any other embedded links directing to personal information or external websites. The only exception applies to transcript documents where certain information may appear by default. Application submissions containing any of the above items will be marked as incomplete and will not be considered***

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with faculty, staff and students in a diverse environment that encourages positive outcomes.

Recent (within the last 5 years) teaching experience in Physics, comparable to community college Physics curriculum.

Demonstrated:

Practice in innovative learning projects, such as acceleration models, learning communities, supplemental instruction, distance education, etc.

Commitment to remain current and lead departments in diverse teaching methods and learning styles as applied to teaching Physics.

Success in helping students from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized groups meet their educational goals.

Experience with culturally-validating, equitable, and inclusive teaching practices.

Evidence of a strong commitment to remain current in Physics and work collaboratively with faculty and staff.

ACADEMIC EQUIVALENCY

Minimum qualifications for Faculty and Administrators for California Community Colleges are established by the Chancellor's Office. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications to teach in a desired discipline but feel that they possess the equivalent of qualifications, may attach an Application for Equivalence. Applicants who claim equivalent qualifications shall provide conclusive evidence that they possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to those required by the minimum qualifications. The conclusive evidence must be as clear and reliable as college transcripts.

Applicants may view the Chancellor's Office minimum qualifications, and Academic Equivalency related forms and policies by viewing the link on the Human Resources web page.

Due to defined timelines involved in full time academic recruitments, we encourage early submission of a petition within the posting window to allow time for consideration and/or review. Please note, submission of a Petition for Equivalence with an application packet does not guarantee approval or advancement through a recruitment process. The Board of Trustees assures that all employees and applicants for employment will be provided equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or veteran status.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is generally performed in an indoor classroom that may also include working in a lab setting.

Physical: Primary function requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a classroom and or lab setting and may travel from site to site; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist; to lift carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight occasionally lifting up to 30 pounds or more, carrying supplies, equipment; to operate classroom equipment requiring repetitive hand movements and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

THE COLLEGE

To learn more about Mt. San Jacinto Community College District, visit

BENEFITS DEPEND ON JOB CLASSIFICATION:

MSJC offers benefits to permanent, full-time and part-time employees. Detailed information is provided during employee New Hire Benefits Orientation.

To review the Benefits Summary, click