Job Details

West Valley-Mission Community College District

Full-Time Industrial Design Lab Faculty Specialist

Position Number: 6853865
Location: Saratoga, CA
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Industrial Design

Full-Time Industrial Design Lab Faculty Specialist

Closing Date: 02/23/2026

Definition:

The West Valley College Cilker School of Art and Design Department of Architecture & Design is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Industrial Design Lab Faculty Specialist.

West Valley College is part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, West Valley College enrolls over 15,000 students annually and is minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley in a beautiful park-like setting on 143 wooded acres. The student population represents diverse communities from the cities of Saratoga, Campbell, and Los Gatos. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research webpage.

The college is ranked number one in transfer in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area and number four in California out of 116 community colleges. The college is known for high quality academic and career education programs supported by talented faculty and dedicated classified professionals who bring an equity-minded approach to student success. Most recently West Valley College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 200 U.S. community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for community College Excellence. WVC inspires students to create a future for themselves so they can contribute to a world in need of their talents, drive, and enthusiasm. Centered on innovation, excellence, belonging, and inclusivity, the college was honored to receive the 2025-2028 FamilyU Seal for its service to parenting students.

As a campus community, West Valley is committed to addressing inequities and injustices, both societal and institutional, and so recognizes that institutions of higher education have colluded, harmed, and remained complacent in upholding aspects of white supremacy, ableism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression. The West Valley College community is committed to long-term equity, social justice, and racial justice work which will transform individuals, the institution, and the greater community. As a collective community, we embrace accountability and will act with courage, grace, and humility in fulfilling our commitment to learning and unlearning.

Under the direction of the Dean of the Cilker School of Art and Design, the Industrial Design Lab Faculty Specialist will serve in a tenure-track faculty role with an integrated instructional and lab assignment. This position carries a 50% teaching load and 50% lab load with the delivery of high-quality Industrial Design education while ensuring the safe, effective, and innovative operation of the Schools Maker Space fabrication facilities.

The Industrial Design Lab Faculty Specialist will teach a range of lower-division Industrial Design courses, integrating design thinking, materials and processes, digital fabrication, user experience and emerging technologies into a hands-on, student-centered curriculum aligned with industry standards and transfer articulation requirements. In parallel, the faculty member will provide academic-year leadership of the Maker Space, overseeing daily operations, equipment use, safety protocols, and student access; supporting instructional labs across multiple disciplines; and collaborating with faculty to integrate fabrication resources into coursework.

As a tenure-track faculty member, the instructor will also participate in curriculum development, program assessment, student mentoring, and shared governance; contribute to program growth and industry partnerships; and support equity-minded teaching practices that foster an inclusive, innovative learning environment for a diverse student population.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

Assignment:

This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track faculty position that begins in Fall 2026. Instructional assignments may include day and/or evening classes, Monday thru Saturday, as needed and rotate among the Industrial Design faculty. It is expected that over several semesters all levels of Industrial Design offered at the college will be taught. This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers (WVMFT / AFT Local 6554).

Work location: West Valley College, Saratoga, CA

Salary and Benefits:

Salary and Benefits

$97,318 - $157,048 annually, based upon academic achievement, teaching and related experience (26-27 Academic Salary Schedule, Steps 1-9).

Benefits include:

Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and dependents.
Employer paid long term disability for employee.
Employer-provided life insurance.
Sabbatical, Rejuvenation and Retraining Leaves.
Banked leave provisions.
Professional Growth and Development activities.
10 days sick leave accrued annually; personal necessity and catastrophic leave.
Conference leaves.
Opportunity for overload assignments.
Cal STRS Retirement.
Position is union affiliated.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education - Possess one of the following:

Any bachelors degree or higher and two (2) years of professional experience directly related to the discipline; OR
Any associates degree and six (6) years of professional experience directly related to the discipline; OR
A valid California Community College Instructors Credential in Industrial Design; OR
The equivalent of the above.

AND

2. Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

Desired Qualification:

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired qualifications:

Bachelors or higher degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Integrated Design, Design Engineering, or a closely related field.
Teaching and/or training experience in an academic, studio, lab, or industry setting appropriate to lower-division college instruction.
Hands-on experience supervising, managing, or working in a fabrication lab, maker space, or prototyping environment, including responsibility for equipment operation, materials, workflow, and safety protocols.
Demonstrated proficiency with prototyping and digital fabrication tools, including filament-based 3D printers (e.g., MakerBot Method, Creality K2), resin 3D printers (e.g., Formlabs), CNC engraving equipment, and Universal Laser Systems laser cutting and etching machines.
Experience supporting and mentoring students in a hands-on, lab-based learning environment, including instruction in safe, effective, and responsible use of fabrication technologies.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Not applicable

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

Instructional duties and assignments may consist of one or more of the following:

Provide instruction for assigned courses. This includes preparation, in-class activities, evaluation of students work, consultation with students outside of class (scheduling time beyond normal office hours if necessary), ensuring regular effective student contact for Distance Education courses, maintenance of currency in the subjects taught and other efforts related to the teaching of the assigned classes, and participate in the process of SLO assessment and evaluation and use the results of these assessments in the process of continuously improving student learning.
Maintain accurate class and other records.
Submit, when due, all necessary reports, such as attendance, grade reports, rosters, class and office schedules.
File a syllabus for each course with the appropriate division offices.
Post and maintain office hours each week.
Provide each student with a current course syllabus as required by Title 5, which includes SLOs, classroom procedures, requirements and grading policies and provide a copy to the Division Office.
Refer students to appropriate college resources.
Assist students by providing advice on requirements for successful achievement in the members area of expertise.
Assume institutional responsibilities, essential to the ongoing operation and effective achievement of department, division, college and district programs.

Working Conditions:

Other Duties:

Application Information:

Physical Demands:

Applicant Information:

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Interested applicants must submit online all materials requested, including: (1) A completed online West Valley-Mission Community College District application; (2) Supplemental application questions; (3) Resume; (4) Unofficial copies of transcripts; (5) Cover letter and/or reference list, if requested; and (6) Any requested licenses or certificates, if applicable.
All sections of the online application, including Education and Educational Work History, must be completed thoroughly.
Supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone numbers must be included in the application.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Do NOT send unrequested materials. Unrequested materials will be removed from your application and will not be used for consideration of employment.
The employment application and supporting documents represent you; it is to your advantage to fill out the application form carefully and completely.
If you have a question that isnt covered in our FAQs, please contact us at careers@wvm.edu.

ABOUT TRANSCRIPTS:

If a minimum requirement is possession of a degree, then a copy of transcripts is required to be included with your application to verify the degree being awarded. If no transcripts are included or the transcript does not show a degree conferred AND degree conferred date, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements.
Should the minimum qualifications state "any combination equivalent to," then additional relevant work experience may substitute for education. In this case, please upload a document stating such in the Required Transcripts document field.
Degrees must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
Candidates with degrees earned outside of the United States must provide official certification of equivalency to U. S. degrees by a certified U. S. credential review service, must have a U.S. evaluation (course by course of the transcripts) and must be submitted with this online application.
If you do not have an electronic version of the transcript, you can get it scanned at an office supply or copy store; then attach the electronic version of your transcript to this online application.
Copies of diplomas, grade reports, graduation petitions, transcript evaluations requests, or similar documents WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of transcripts.
When uploading transcripts, please ensure they are NOT encrypted, secured, or password-protected or they will be rejected by the system.

EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION:
Applicants applying under equivalency bear the responsibility of submitting the Districts Equivalency Application form with details and evidence of the factors (academic preparation and/or experience) that they believe to be equivalent of the required qualifications for this position. Application(s) for equivalency are required if degrees are not in exact discipline required.

The Equivalency Application is included in the online application as an OPTIONAL form to complete.

ONLY complete the Request for Equivalency application if degree does not match discipline(s) stated in the Minimum Qualifications.
List accurately and completely the courses taken that match requirements of the required degree.
Do NOT attach documents such as course evaluations.

For assistance, contact:
Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment
14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 741-2564
Email: Careers@wvm.edu

Selection Process:

SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION:

After the deadline date, a committee will review and evaluate applications and supporting materials to select the applicants to be interviewed. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview.
All candidates will receive an e-notification to acknowledge receipt of their application materials. If not contacted within 3-6 weeks following the close of the recruitment, no suitable match was determined at this time.
Travel expenses to attend first-level interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
Application materials become the property of the District and will not be returned or duplicated.
The district may choose to re-advertise or indefinitely delay filling a position. Some positions may include first and second level interviews.
The district reserves the right to contact former, current, the most recent employers, and others to investigate past employment records of applicants.
Any tentative verbal offer of employment is contingent upon formal approval of the college Governing Board.
Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she is authorized to work in the United States.
The district does not provide visa sponsorship.

EEO STATEMENT:
West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Special Instructions to the Applicant:

Posting Number: FY22/23-312FT
Open Date: 01/14/2026
Close Date: 02/23/2026
Open Until Filled: No

For more information on this position and to apply, please visit our website at the following link: wvm.peopleadmin.com

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.