Job Details
Assistant Professor, Astronomy and Physics
Assistant Professor, Astronomy and Physics
Rancho Santiago Community College District
Salary Range: $81,468.92 - $134,034.79/10-month academic year, depending upon education and experience
Job Type:
Job Number: AC25-01318
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Division: SAC Science Math & Health Sciences
Closing: 2/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
POSITION DETAILS
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is one of the most established districts in the state and has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is one of the largest of California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves a population of more than 700,000 residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin, and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundations are actively involved in supporting both community and campus programs.
RSCCD's student population is a direct reflection of the diverse communities in the surrounding neighborhoods. The district has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students: 51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% are African American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresented students. There is a commitment to foster student-centered values among our employees to provide equitable student learning, academic excellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-quality educational programs and student support services, the district ensures that students have the appropriate resources to achieve their goals.
At RSCCD, our mission is to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice into all aspects of student academics and employee relations. Thus, creating transformational experiences that prepares students and employees to engage in the world with a renewed sense-of-self. Through this commitment, Rancho Santiago Community College District strives to cultivate a learning environment that prioritizes respect, to ensure that RSCCD stakeholders feel valued and supported throughout their academic and professional careers.
About the Position
The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college student populations, including those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, Dual Enrollment, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD's mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling students to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.
Candidates will cultivate an inclusive classroom culture that engages and supports a diverse student population. They should effectively teach students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with disabilities or differing academic preparation levels. Candidates should show sensitivity to diverse learning needs and a commitment to equity and anti-racism. They will help empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.
About the College
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. Santa Ana College is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District
General Responsibilities
Full-time tenure track faculty teaching for RSCCCD will teach all assigned classes in range of modalities, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid, and may include evening or off-campus assignments unless excused according to Board Policy provisions. Will teach a variety of courses/levels within the discipline/area of study. Faculty shall assist in maintaining the course outline for each assigned course. Faculty shall maintain accurate records of student enrollment, attendance, and academic progress. Candidates should have experience with curriculum and program development. Candidates should have experience with student learning outcomes and assessment, as well as program review. Be familiar with and observe the administrative regulations (flex calendar obligations, course overviews, etc.). Faculty shall participate in department meetings and activities and will serve on shared governance committee(s).
QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
(Applicants must meet one of the following):
- Possess from an accredited institution: A master's degree in Master's in physics, astronomy or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's in engineering, mathematics, meteorology or geophysics OR
- Possess a valid California Community College credential authorizing service in the discipline, OR
- The equivalent (applicants who do not meet the above minimum qualifications must complete the Equivalencies Section in the application form).
- Equivalencies that the Department accepts as valid: Successful completion of all coursework necessary for the required master's or doctoral degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, successful progress in his/her thesis or dissertation project with the defense taking place prior to the beginning of the term AND upon recommendation of the candidate's thesis advisor or evidence of the expected date of the degree being awarded.
- Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community. Experience in teaching students from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds who have diverse identities and varying levels of proficiency.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience teaching introductory physics and astronomy courses at the undergraduate level
- Experience working with students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, including varying levels of mathematical proficiency.
- Experience developing curricula, syllabi, and assessing student learning outcomes
- Experience conducting science outreach and engagement activities
- Experience maintaining laboratory equipment and software for physics and astronomy instruction
APPLICATION PROCESS
To ensure full consideration, all applicants must submit a complete online Rancho Santiago Community College District application that includes the items listed below by the position's closing date. The application process will align with RSCCD Administrative Regulations 7120.1 Full-Time Faculty Recruitment and Selection (Download PDF reader). Recruitment will review all applications for completeness, and only complete application packets will be forwarded to the screening committee for further review.
A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:
- RSCCD Online Application
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume - details all relevant education, training, teaching experience (including courses taught) and other work experience.
- Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).
Hiring Process Timeline
It is anticipated that the screening activities will be conducted as follows:
Week of February 23, 2026:
Screening Begins
Week of March 23, 2026:
Initial Interviews
Month of March 2026:
Final Interviews with the College President
August 17, 2026:
Start of Fall 2026
Foreign Degrees
Transcripts from countries other than the United States must be evaluated by an agency that is approved by or a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), or Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Application Screening
In addition to the specific requirements and responsibilities listed in the Job Announcement, the following criteria will be considered in selecting candidates:
- Educational experience breadth and depth
- Work experience breadth and depth
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities
- Curriculum development
- Program development
- Community involvement
- Demonstrated experience in working with a diverse socioeconomic community
- Credential or minimum qualifications authorizing service in other areas of need
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
- Bilingual ability (if needed)
Meeting the position's minimum requirements does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. Candidate qualifications will be assessed to determine those who meet and exceed requirements and are deemed the most competitive in the applicant pool.
Interview
Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:
- Oral communication skills
- Presentation
- Problem-solving skills
- Successful teaching, problem-solving, or performance demonstration
- Writing skills/demonstration
Disability Accommodations
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling (714) 480-7455.
Conditions of Employment
The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:
- Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.
- Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate's expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)
- Submit official transcripts.
- Submit official verification of employment letters.
EEO STATEMENT
The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District's workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.
RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/rsccd/jobs/5147607/assistant-professor-astronomy-and-physics
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