Assistant Professor of Adult Basic Education Studies at Western State Hospital

Position Summary

• This position is open until filled. For priority consideration, apply by December 8th, 2024. Anticipated start date is March 1st, 2025.

About the District :

Pierce College is a vibrant learning institution enhancing our local and global communities. Boasting majestic views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier, the Pierce College District offers the benefits of rural, suburban, and urban life in the Pacific Northwest. As part of the community and technical college system in Washington State, the District includes two colleges :
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, located in Lakewood, and Pierce College Puyallup, located in Puyallup, as well as a robust education programs at Western State Hospital, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Special Commitment Center. A key to our district's success is a high degree of collaboration amongst and within administrative and instructional departments, our campuses, and our programs. We invite applications from qualified individuals, who value student and colleague engagement, and are interested in working within a diverse, innovative, outcome and evidence-based learning-centered environment.

About the Program :

The successful candidate will join the district's Extended Learning Division and teach as a contracted instructor for Education Services at Western State Hospital. Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes focus on functional skills such as reading and comprehending information related to one's illness and treatment, and improving typing, communication, math, and writing skills. These classes focus on functional skills such as reading and comprehending information related to one's illness and treatment, improving typing, communication, math, and writing skills, and GED preparation and testing.

These classes provide students a sense of pride by providing the structure, resources, and support necessary to create and achieve tangible learning goals. Education is a cornerstone to the most vital tenet of recovery : living a full, satisfying life.

Western State Hospital (WSH) is an inpatient psychiatric hospital. With over 800 beds and more than 2000 employees, WSH is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals west of the Mississippi. WSH provides evaluation and inpatient treatment for individuals with serious or long-term mental illness. Patients are referred to the hospital through the Regional Support Network (RSN), the civil court system when individuals meet the criteria for involuntary treatment (RCW 71.05) or through the criminal justice system (RCW 10.77).

WSH is located in the city of Lakewood, Washington, which is seven miles south of Tacoma.

• Teaching a variety of courses focused on patient education;
• Embracing and engaging in innovation;
• Demonstrating multicultural competence in interactions with students, faculty, hospital staff, and community members;
• Engaging in efforts to improve student access, retention, inclusion, and success;
• Designing, instructing, and assessing assigned courses;
• Incorporating active student learning and appropriate use of technology in the classroom;
• Teaching, advising, and mentoring a diverse student population holistically from access to completion;
• Collaborating with treatment team members and clinicians;
• Attending and participating in regular department and division meetings; and
• Working effectively and collegially with faculty and staff across disciplines / programs; and

• Master's Degree or PhD in Education, Adult Education, or a closely related field and experience teaching adult learners
• Bachelor's degree with secondary teaching certification in Washington State and experience teaching basic skills

Special Requirements and / or