Thank you for your interest in applying for the tenure-track faculty position in the ​Biological Sciences ​area at DVC! We are eager to learn about who you are and why you are passionate about teaching ​Horticulture and Plant Science ​at our community college. We want to know what you are like as an instructor, colleague, and member of a campus community.

We are looking for a colleague who will demonstrate discipline expertise and show sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic backgrounds and abilities of community college students.

We are looking for instructors who share a strong commitment to social and racial justice and who use or are inspired to use anti-racist pedagogies that close equity gaps by recognizing, understanding, and respecting the perspectives of all students.

We strongly encourage those with historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities to apply, including people of color, non-binary and transgender individuals, women, and Indigenous people.

Desirable Qualifications and Supplemental Questions: Please use your cover letter, CV/resume and the supplemental questions to address all the minimum and desirable qualifications. It is required that all supplemental questions are answered. See Supplemental Questions section below for more information.

The minimum qualifications for this position are a bachelor’s degree (or higher) with the equivalent of two years of full-time professional experience or an associate’s degree with the equivalent of six years of full-time professional experience. The required full-time professional experience (which can include teaching experience) of two years with a bachelor’s or six years with an associate’s must be directly related to the faculty member’s teaching assignment (Horticulture or Plant Sciences). Successful candidates will need to submit Verification of Employment forms (from previous employers) before employment can begin.

If the title(s) of your degree major(s) listed on your unofficial transcripts or other documents from the degree-granting institutions are not an EXACT MATCH to the degrees listed below, you MUST submit an equivalency form. Without it, your application will not be considered. The equivalency form can be downloaded here:  https://www.4cd.edu/career/forms/equivalency-application/Academic%20Position%20Application,%20Supplemental%20-%20Non-Masters%20Degree%20Discipline%20Equivalencies.pdf

 In addition to responding to the required Supplemental Questions below, please upload the following required documents:

1. Any/all undergraduate and graduate unofficial transcripts (must show degree and the date degree was conferred).

2. Résumé/CV including information regarding preparation and experience relevant to the position. Please clearly indicate how you meet the equivalent of 2 years full-time professional experience (with bachelors degree) or equivalent of 6 years full-time professional experience (with associates degree) directly related to Horticulture or Plant Sciences.

3. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position.

Diablo Valley College inspires, educates, and empowers a diverse community of students to transform their lives and their communities. DVC instructors close the equity gaps by fostering success among all students. To help further this work, DVC seeks a tenure-track ​Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Horticulture Program Coordinator to begin teaching Horticulture and Plant Science ​starting in ​Fall of 2025​.

We are looking for a colleague who will demonstrate discipline expertise and show sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic backgrounds and abilities of community college students.

We are looking for instructors who share a strong commitment to social and racial justice and who use or are inspired to use anti-racist pedagogies that close equity gaps by recognizing, understanding, and respecting the perspectives of all students.

We strongly encourage those with historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities to apply, including people of color, non-binary and transgender individuals, women, and Indigenous people.

​​The successful applicant will be well-qualified to teach a diverse array of courses in Horticulture and the Plant Sciences and run the Horticulture program and its Career Education and Workforce Development components, work with nursery staff in the greenhouses and growing areas, engage with the community via plant sales and outreach, chair the Horticulture Advisory Board Committee and grow the program in a direction that supports the strategic goals of the college and the equitable achievement of success for students from all demographic groups. ​

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.



The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.



Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet, we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.



Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds; students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first-generation families.


The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.



If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education, please apply.

Email Carol Trost at ctrost@dvc.edu in the Office of Instruction

Initial salary placement for full-time, tenure track positions is based on academic degree(s), upper/graduate level units earned, teaching experience and/or qualifying related professional occupation experience which ranges from $68,136 to $112,848 per year (Up to $132k). Adjunct instructor classroom faculty pay rate is $77.87-$128.97 per hour (up to $151.16). Counseling, Librarian, Disabilities Specialist pay rate is $51.37-$87.77 per hour (up to $100.65)

In addition to contractual duties, all full-time faculty are expected to participate actively in their disciplines, department activities, and the general intellectual life and governance of the college. Part of the teaching assignment may be in the evening and/or online. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. advancing equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established course outlines;
2. participating in the assessment of student learning outcomes for courses and programs; developing and implementing student learning outcomes assessment processes for courses and programs;
3. collaborating in the development and revision of curriculum and in program review;
4. engaging in department program improvement initiatives;
5. participating in department, division, and college committees;
6. participating in professional development activities, both departmental and college-wide;
7. maintaining current knowledge in the subject matter area and effective teaching/ learning strategies;
8. maintaining appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics;
9. informing students of course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements;
10. preparing and grading class assignments and examinations and informing students of their academic progress;
11. maintaining attendance, scholastic, and personnel records and submitting them according to published deadlines;
12. posting and holding sufficient and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy;
13. participating in College’s shared governance processes.

Understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and faculty.

The applicant must possess one of the following qualifications (earned degrees must be from an accredited college/university):

​​Any bachelor’s degree or higher and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience. Professional experience is required when the applicant possesses a master’s degree. The professional experience required must be directly related to the faculty member’s teaching assignment.​

If you do not possess the EXACT minimum qualifications (i.e., you do not possess the EXACT degree title listed) and believe that you meet the minimum qualifications, fill out the equivalency petition form in the document section of the online application. If you are unsure that you meet the minimum qualifications, please fill out the equivalency petition for non-master disciplines. You can download the form from our website and upload it in your online application in the attachment section: https://www.4cd.edu/career/forms/equivalency-application/Academic%20Position%20Application,%20Supplemental%20-%20Non-Masters%20Degree%20Discipline%20Equivalencies.pdf

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Highly qualified candidates will possess knowledge, skills, and experience that address the desirable qualifications below. Responses to the supplemental questions below allow the applicant to describe how they meet these qualifications.

1. ​​Familiarity and/or experience with developing Horticulture/Plant Sciences Curriculum, Career Education programs, and current trends/research in Horticulture and Plant Sciences including Sustainability and Environmental Science pathways.

​​ 2. Demonstrated teaching skills and enthusiasm for teaching Horticulture and Plant Sciences, including Introduction to Horticulture, and at least two of the following: Soil Science, Plant Identification and Uses, Integrated Pest Management, Hydrology or other specialized areas of Horticulture and Plant Science.

​​3. Ability to promote the Horticulture program, maintain and grow community and industry partnerships, and collaborate with faculty across disciplines while actively participating in college and department matters.

​​4. Experience or desire to work as a program lead coordinating a multi-subject area program, working with staff, adjunct faculty, student workers, nursery facilities, and plant sales.

5. ​​​Master’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Science or related field, or equivalent coursework at an accredited institution.

6. Demonstrated sensitivity and ability to motivate and teach community college students of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, cultures, learning styles, disabilities, academic preparation, and career goals.​

Membership in State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)
District-paid benefits (employee contributes 6%) for employee and dependents/domestic partners include:
- Medical (Anthem Blue Cross or Kaiser) insurance including chiropractic services
- Dental and vision
- Flexible spending (125) plan
- Life and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Deferred compensation (403b and 457)
- Sabbatical Leave

Additional Benefits: The District also offers eligible faculty employees, travel assistance plan, retiree benefits, and employee discounts on health memberships.

Newly hired employees may notify the respective union (Local 1 or United Faculty) if they opt to join and/or authorize payment to the union. If the newly hired employee authorizes payment to the union then the following fees apply: Local 1 has a one-time initiation fee of $45.00 and monthly contribution of 1% of gross pay +$1. United Faculty has an agency fee of .55% of gross pay plus $2.50.

1. Interested applicants must submit all of the application materials online to be considered for this position. We do not accept hand-delivered, e-mailed, faxed or postal mailed application packets.
2. It is your responsibility to ensure that all application materials are received on or before the closing date. Our application deadline time is 11:59pm on the specified closing date.
3. You should submit an unofficial transcript for screening purposes. If you do not have electronic version of the transcript required for the position, you can have it scanned by a Staples, Office Max or Office Depot, etc. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload transcripts when completing our online application process. You should be prepared to provide an official transcripts prior to employment start date should the position be offered.
4. If you do not possess the required educational degrees and are applying under the equivalency process, you bear the responsibility of submitting the District’s Equivalency Application. Equivalency applications with supporting documentation should be submitted when 1) degrees are not in exact discipline required; 2) degree is in progress; 3) degrees were earned at a college or university outside of the United States. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload an equivalency form for evaluation by a college equivalency committee when completing our online application process.
5. Applicants with foreign degrees must provide official certification of equivalency to United States degrees. An approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency must evaluate your course work. All applicants will have an opportunity to upload a foreign degree evaluation for review of by a college equivalency committee when completing our online application process. Please read more details in the Foreign Degree and Credit Statement section of the job announcement.
6. Documents uploaded online must be the actual documents to be considered for review. Do not upload a “placeholder” document. Applications with placeholder documents are considered incomplete and will be rejected. Only upload the required documents, other materials can be presented if you are selected for an interview.
7. All application materials become the property of the district and will not be returned or duplicated.

Applications will be screened to ensure the applicant meets the minimum qualifications as stated in the job announcement.

1. The applications, cover letters, answers to required supplemental questions, resumes, unofficial college transcripts, and other supporting materials submitted by all qualified applicants will be reviewed by a screening committee. Those who are deemed to possess the highest degree of desirable qualifications will be invited to an interview at their own expense. The interview may be conducted on campus the week of March 10, 2025.

2. During the campus visit, each applicant will be interviewed and may be asked to conduct a demonstration appropriate to the discipline. Selected interviewees may be invited to present an entire lecture in front of a class. Responses to the interview questions and demonstration will be rated by the interview committee.

3. Based upon the overall rating, a small number of applicants will be invited to the campus at their own expense for an interview with the college president, vice president of equity and instruction, and vice president of equity and student services. We estimate these interviews will be scheduled for the week of March 31st, 2025. Out-of-area applicants, for whom travel is a hardship, may request a final interview via Zoom.

4. After consultation with the interview committee, the college president will make the final recommendation for employment to the chancellor and the governing board of the Contra Costa Community College District.

5. Upon hire, the successful candidate must meet the conditions of employment. Finalists must provide verification of transcripts. TB test, physical examination, fingerprinting/conviction clearance and proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

In accordance with the United Faculty Contract, Article 20.3.1.3.2, all foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process. Please upload your evaluation with your application when you apply for this position. We cannot accept foreign degree evaluations after the closing date

Request For Reasonable Accommodation


Medical Verification


Candidates with legally defined disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by notifying the Human Resources Department by the deadline date. Candidates will be required to supply documentation supporting the need for the accommodation when the request is made. Please complete the forms provided in the links above and email to
slever@4cd.edu

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It is the District’s policy to ensure that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of ethnic group identity, race, color, ancestry, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, citizenship or because an individual is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.