Part-time Instructor: Dental Hygiene at Colorado… · Colorado…

Title: Part-time Instructor: Dental Hygiene

Position Type: Instructor

College: Pikes Peak State College

Location: Colorado Springs

Salary Range: 81.66 per contact hour

Who We Are:

Pikes Peak State College is the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region, serving students with a wide range of goals, experiences, and responsibilities. Our students include recent high school graduates, working adults, military-affiliated students, parents, first-generation students, career changers, transfer students, and lifelong learners.

Our mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs. We fulfill that mission by creating affordable, flexible, and accessible pathways that help students transfer to four-year institutions, enter the workforce, advance their careers, and build better futures close to home.

As the needs of our students, employers, and communities continue to evolve, so do we. PPSC embraces innovation that is human-centered, ethical, and focused on student learning. Through strong workforce partnerships and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, we prepare students not only for today's opportunities, but for what's next.

We're looking for people who are passionate about access, collaboration, innovation, and student success. Whether you work in the classroom or behind the scenes, your contributions help create opportunities that change lives. At PPSC, our vision is simple: Students Succeed at PPSC.

Job Summary:

Part-time instructor positions (as defined by State Board Policy, BP 3-10) exist to create and maintain a teaching and learning environment that empowers students to be successful. Part-time instructors work under the direction of their respective Department Chair, Associate Dean, or Division Dean.

Pikes Peak State College maintains a pool of qualified part-time instructors. Part-time instructors will be selected to support departmental requirements. Part-time instructors may be employed to teach courses, conduct presentations or other service activities when current instructors and faculty are not available.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment. All work must be performed in the State of Colorado. The PPSC Dental Center is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest equipment and simulation technology to be the state leader in modern dental hygiene and dental assisting education. The part-time instructor, in collaboration with the Dental Center Director and other faculty, will be integral in the success of the program. Consistent with the Dental Hygiene Program values of community built on learning, mutual respect, and diversity, the candidate should demonstrate strong skills in team building and collaboration across the dental and health sciences disciplines. The ideal candidate will be a welcoming and enthusiastic individual focused on student success by incorporating an innovative teaching approach.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Instruction and Student Engagement

Demonstrates a strong commitment to effective teaching and student learning.

Employs a variety of evidence-based instructional strategies to support diverse learning styles and levels of motivation.

Uses flexible and inclusive teaching approaches to promote student engagement and success.

Encourages students to set and achieve academic and professional goals.

Relates course content to real-world dental hygiene practice.

Maintains a positive, respectful, and empathetic learning environment.

Classroom, Lab, and Clinical Performance

Plans, organizes, and delivers course content aligned with stated learning objectives.

Communicates course material clearly and effectively in classroom, laboratory, pre-clinical, and clinical settings.

Demonstrates enthusiasm for both the subject matter and the teaching role.

Integrates instructional technology to enhance student learning and competence.

Maintains appropriate classroom and clinical order, professionalism, and safety.

Course Materials, Preparation, and Assessment

Develops, maintains, and updates syllabi in accordance with State, College, and/or CODA requirements.

Collaborates with the Dental Center Director to develop lab, pre-clinical, and clinical schedules.

Reviews and updates course materials to ensure currency and relevance.

Clearly communicates course objectives, expectations, and evaluation criteria to students in writing.

Utilizes appropriate assessment and evaluation methods aligned with course content and learning outcomes.

Incorporates supplemental instructional resources and technology as appropriate.

Participates in department and college-level assessment of student learning outcomes as required.

Recordkeeping and Instructional Management

Maintains accurate and timely student records in accordance with College policies and procedures.

Meets all assigned classes as scheduled and for the prescribed instructional time.

Submits required reports, documentation, and instructional materials in a timely manner.

Attends required department, divisional, and calibration meetings as scheduled.

Professionalism and Collaboration

Maintains current knowledge of discipline-specific trends, clinical practices, and pedagogical best practices.

Collaborates professionally and effectively with faculty, staff, and administrators.

Communicates respectfully and constructively when problem-solving or resolving conflicts.

Contributes to a collegial, inclusive, and student-centered educational environment.

Supports the mission and values of the College, division, and department.

Program and Institutional Support

Assists with curriculum review, revision, development, and implementation.

Supports the development and maintenance of course outlines and syllabi.

Participates in textbook selection and adoption as requested.

Assists with student advising, registration, recruitment, and retention as appropriate.

Attends program advisory committee meetings when possible.

Participates in professional development activities and re-licensure requirements.

Supports program review and accreditation activities, including CODA processes.

Additional Professional Contributions

Assists with divisional and departmental initiatives as requested by leadership.

Supports alternative instructional delivery methods (e.g., online or hybrid formats) as appropriate.

Assists with training and mentoring of new instructors and staff.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Dental Center Director, Dean, Vice President for Instructional Services, and/or College President.

Competencies/KSAs:

Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, and deliver appropriate curriculum.

Demonstrates ability to employ qualitative and quantitative analytical skills in the classroom.

Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrates ability to maintain accurate written student records as required by policy and procedure.

Demonstrates ability to inform students of all course requirements.

Demonstrates ability to evaluate students and offer feedback on a continuing basis.

Demonstrates ability to relate to student concerns and maintain open communication.

Demonstrates ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduate of a CODA accredited dental hygiene or dental program.

Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene or related field.

Current Colorado dental hygiene/dental license, or current RDH/dental license in another state and eligibility to acquire Colorado RDH/dental license.

Current Colorado Local Anesthesia Permit or eligibility to acquire the permit.

Diode Laser certification through an accredited organization or the ability to obtain the certificate.

Minimum of two full-time equivalent years of clinical dental hygiene experience within the last 5 years.

Current CPR certification.

Must possess or be eligible to obtain a Colorado Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teaching Credential.

Must possess strong proficiency in various dental related technologies and software programs or the ability and willingness to train in these areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related field.

1+ year(s) clinical and/or didactic teaching experience in dental hygiene.

Experience in curriculum design and mapping and/or instructional design.

Documented background in current educational methodology concepts in higher education.

Selection Process:

Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Part-time instructors are hired to teach on a temporary, as needed basis. Instructors may be employed per academic semester. Instructors are at-will and subject to the terms of their appointment.

Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Application Instructions:

Application must be submitted online. Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration. A complete application will include:

Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.

Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred. Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.

Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Work Life Balance

Pikes Peak State College instructors educate students as part-time employees. Course assignments may include teaching day and/or evening classes, face-to-face modality, and asynchronous online as needed across multiple campus locations.

Retirement

Pikes Peak State College participates in Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates. State employees are required to a mandatory contribution of a percentage of their salary to the plan, and the college contributes a percentage as well. While you are enrolled in PERA, you do not pay Social Security. In addition, there are supplemental retirement plans available through three other vendors.

Leave Programs

Instructors earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Instructors are eligible for the Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).