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Community College Instructors

THE JOB

COMMUNITY COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS teach one or more classes within specific 
academic or occupational areas in community colleges.  

Academic instructors teach courses in liberal arts and sciences such as 
English, art and biology.  Most of them prepare their students to 
transfer to four-year degree programs by teaching courses that are 
equivalent to the lower division level of four-year institutions.  
However, some teach remedial classes in reading, writing or arithmetic 
to help students "catch up" or adjust to college-level course work.  
Some also teach students for whom English is a second language (ESL).

Technical, trade or industrial instructors teach occupational fields.  
Examples include:  administration of justice, auto mechanics, 
carpentry, electronics, graphic arts, interior design, and dental, 
fire, office and communication technology.  They also may teach advanced 
or specialized courses to help experienced workers upgrade their 
skills.  Occupational instructors may visit local employers to 
supervise student interns.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Most instructors work on campus, but it is not uncommon for them to 
conduct off-site classes in other locations such as churches, office 
buildings or factories.

Besides teaching, full-time instructors meet with their students, 
serve on curriculum committees and attend faculty meetings.  They work 
between 40 and 50 hours weekly.  Part-time Instructors teach an average 
of five and one half hours a week, primarily evenings and weekends.  
Some of them teach for more than one college. 

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The California Community College Chancellor's office supplied the 
following employment data for Community College Instructors: 

Estimated workers in 1995            41,800
Full-time workers                    15,100
Part-time workers                    26,700

Most districts will continue to replace retirees-one half of all 
full-time instructors are expected to retire by the end of this century.

Several new campuses will be needed by 2005, according to the 
chancellor's office.

Enrollment dropped recently when student fees were increased.  Other 
states report an initial drop, but growth usually restarts after one or 
two years.  For the fall semester of 1995, about 1,360,300 students 
were enrolled in the State's community colleges.

Employment opportunities should be brisk over the next two decades, 
depending on enrollment, finances, the number of new campuses and the 
increase in number of instructors reaching retirement.  Government 
retraining programs utilize community colleges to provide hands-on job 
experience in many technical fields.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Salaries differ from one district to another between full-time and 
part-time positions, by type of degree, additional education and amount 
of work or teaching experience.  

Average Salary 1995-1996 academic year: 

Full-time:  Annual         $52,819
Part-time:  Hourly          $35.52

During summers many instructors get additional earnings from teaching, 
speaking engagements, writing for publications or other employment.  
Some faculty members do Research projects or contract consulting.

Health insurance, dental, vision and retirement plans are common 
benefits for full-time faculty.

Some full-time instructors receive tuition waivers for dependents, 
housing and cafeteria allowances, travel allowances and paid leaves of 
absence.  Many faculty members are eligible for a short leave at full 
or partial pay after six or seven years of employment with the same 
district.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The California Community College Board of Governors set the minimum 
standards for instructors:

  --  Instructors usually need an Master's degree in the subject taught 
or a closely related field.  If one is not offered or required in their 
field, they need a bachelor's degree plus two years' experience and any 
required certificates or licenses.  If the Instructor does not possess a 
bachelor's degree, an Associate of Arts degree plus six years of 
professional experience and any required certificates or licenses 
fulfill requirements.

  --  Instructors with a Community College Credential issued before 1990 
meet the minimum qualifications.

Some districts may have higher standards such as requiring special 
course work or occupational expertise.  While not required, education 
courses or practice teaching increases employment possibilities.  


ADVANCEMENT

Community colleges, unlike four-year institutions, evaluate tenure 
eligibility (permanent employment) based on teaching abilities instead 
of scholarly Research and publications.  After serving a probation 
period, advancement usually means salary increases based on experience 
and/or continuing education.  Instructors with management interest and 
abilities may be promoted to department head, coordinator of a group of 
activities, assistant dean, or dean.  These administrative positions 
usually require teaching experience and a master's degree.


FINDING THE JOB

Successful Job Seekers combine or use all of these steps:  

  --  Practice and hone job search skills in their college career center

  --  Contact the California Community College Chancellor's Office for a 
job-hunting packet 

  --  Apply directly to college or district personnel offices

  --  Register with university placement centers 

  --  Check professional journals for job listings

  --  Network with professional association and faculty members

  --  Inquire with unions that represent instructors 

  --  Accept part-time or temporary work to gain teaching experience and 
recognition


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Chancellor's Office, California Community Colleges
1102 Q Street, Suite 4554
Sacramento,  CA  95814-6511
916-445-8752


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Elementary School Teacher                    No.  10
Secondary School Teacher                     No.  57
Special Education Teacher                    No. 110
Trade and Technical Teacher                  No. 404
Counselors, School and Rehabilitation        No. 429


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Faculty Member, College or University     090.227.010

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Professor                                      311020
Associate Professor                            311050
Assistant Professor                            311080
Lecturers                                      311110


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.