Job Details

Music/Recording Arts Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor

Position Number: 6923047
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Music

Music/Recording Arts Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor

Cuesta College

Salary: $68,383.00 - $145,819.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time - 10 Months/ 100% FTE
Job Number: FY2526-00122
Location: San Luis Obispo Campus, CA
Department: Instruction
Closing: 3/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

The Music Department at Cuesta College is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Music/Recording Arts Instructor to begin in Fall 2026.

This position is responsible for leading our Recording Arts program and teaching other courses in the Music Department as assigned. These other courses may include Music Appreciation, Music Theory/Musicianship, and Applied Music (private lessons). The successful candidate will help guide the vision of the program while honoring the work, history, and reputation that has shaped it over many years. Cuesta Music has earned consistent regional and national recognition through outstanding performances, the winning of several awards, an excellent record in the job placement of its graduates, and continual community engagement. Audio Technology at Cuesta College has produced graduates working at the highest levels of the recording and entertainment industry. We are seeking a forward-looking candidate who respects that legacy and is excited to contribute their own perspective, expertise, and pedagogical skills as the program continues to develop and evolve with the changing job market.

About the Program

The Music Department (a unit of the Performing Arts Division) values collaboration across all areas of instruction and performance. The department places a strong emphasis on creating rehearsal and classroom environments that are respectful, inclusive, and supportive while maintaining high artistic standards. The department offers Associate Degrees and Associate Degree for Transfer in Music Performance and Jazz Studies, as well as Certificates of Achievement in Audio Technology and Commercial Music. Each of the degrees and the certificates offer students in-depth study, taught in state-of-the-art classroom, studio, and performance facilities. The Department offers a variety of performance ensembles, including classical and jazz ensembles in instrumental and choral areas. Private instruction is available for wind, brass, percussion, vocal, guitar, strings, and piano students. In addition, a transferable set of music theory courses are an integral part of the Performance and Jazz Studies degrees, as well as courses in jazz improvisation, class piano and guitar, and music appreciation.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

Responsibilities

The Music/Recording Arts instructor will:

Serve as the lead instructor of the Recording Arts program providing vision and leadership
Teach Music courses in accordance with approved course outlines
Work effectively with other faculty and staff
Maintain the department's ProTools based recording studio and equipment
Act as program lead for the Commercial Music Career Technical Education (CTE) program
Mentor a diverse range of student goals, providing customized support for transfer, career placement and professional interests.
Proactively adapt industry standards of the recording field through innovative education and practice
Recruit students for Audio Tech and the Music Department
Provide guidance in the Music Appreciation area
Participate in curriculum development, program review, and student learning outcomes assessment
Serve on department, division, and college committees as part of shared governance
Maintain regular office hours and support student success outside the classroom
Value student validation, affirmation, and belonging as essential for a successful educational experience. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Cuesta college strives to create a welcoming culture that recognizes and respects these students within the complex and beautiful mosaic of intersectionality embodied in the Cuesta College community.

To be considered for the Music discipline:

Required:

Master's in music
OR
Bachelor's in music AND Master's in humanities
OR
-The equivalent.(Candidates applying on the basis of equivalency must submit all materials requested for an equivalency judgment. For directions on what is an acceptable equivalency argument please review the requirements listed on the HR Website or see further information on Equivalency Petition Process Information below.)
OR
-A valid Community College credential in the discipline (If received prior to 1990, as the credential is no longer being issued).

Required:
-Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable:
-Teaching experience in the discipline, community college level preferred;
-Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges.

To be considered for the Commercial Music discipline:

-Any Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and two years of professional experience directly related to the teaching assignment;

OR

-Any Associate's degree from an accredited institution and six years of professional experience directly related to the teaching assignment;

OR

-The equivalent. (Candidates applying on the basis of equivalency must submit all materials requested for an equivalency judgment. For directions on what is an acceptable equivalency argument please review the requirements listed on the HR Website or see further information on Equivalency Petition Process Information below.)

OR

-A valid Community College credential in the discipline (If received prior to 1990, as the credential is no longer being issued).

Required:
-Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable:
-Teaching experience in the discipline, community college level preferred;
-Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume or curriculum vitae;
Unofficial transcripts (see further instructions below);
Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In order to best prepare your diversity statement for this application, please review our Academic Senate approved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rubric, please visit our Equal Employment Opportunity Page: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/eeo/index.html

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Unofficial Transcript Instructions: Transcripts need to show that you meet the minimum qualifications (with degree conferred) and/or have a foreign degree evaluation completed if the degree you hold is from outside of the US. If the titles of your degrees on your transcripts do not show that you meet the minimum qualifications as written above, it is necessary to submit an equivalency petition with your application. See below for more information about equivalency.

Equivalency Petition Process Information: Faculty shall meet the minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors, or shall possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications set out in the regulations of the Board of Governors. If a candidate's earned degrees do not exactly match the minimum qualifications, they can submit a Petition for Equivalency form in order to apply for equivalency. For more information on the process, please review the links below.

Equivalency Process (AP 7211) (Download PDF reader)

Petition for Equivalency Form

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Please contact HR to ensure all documents have been uploaded and your file is complete up until 72 hours before the closing date.

SALARY SCHEDULE
Salary is determined by education and experience. More information regarding our current salary schedules can be found on the following link:

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/employee/cba-salary-schedules.html

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address:
https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/job-opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

First round interviews will be held in person on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Applicants in need of accommodation should contact Human Resources at hr@cuesta.edu.

In the interest of equity, candidates invited to interview on campus may be reimbursed up to $500 toward travel expenses.
Second Interviews will be on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.