Description

Open Date: May 26, 2026 
Close Date: June 30, 2026 or until position is filled

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026 (Curriculum development work paid separately and may begin immediately upon hire)

Anticipated Salary Range (FY27): $78,245 to $107,077 depending on placement (Steps A-J on the FY27 PCFA salary schedule); top of scale $113,578. 

Guaranteed annual step increases per the 2024-2027 PCFA collective bargaining agreement.    

Job Class/Position Title: Full-time Faculty, Dental Hygiene & Annualized Associate with the opportunity to become Full Time Tenure Track in year 2, Dental Hygiene                                               

Dental Hygiene - Two Positions (Full-Time Faculty)

PENINSULA COLLEGES COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Peninsula College is committed to fostering an inclusive campus community where every student and employee has access to the support and resources they need to succeed. We believe that respect, connection, and belonging are essential to learning and working well together.

Our Equity Standing Committee, with representation from across the college, guides ongoing work to review policies, practices, and professional learning to support equitable access and student and employee success. We collaborate with campus partners on continuous improvement toward a learning and working environment where everyone can thrive.

Redacted Review Hiring Process

At Peninsula College, we are committed to a fair and unbiased hiring process. To support this commitment, we use an application redaction process. Before your materials are reviewed by the screening committee, certain personal identifying details such as your name, the names of schools or organizations you attended, and affiliations that could unintentionally signal identity are removed. This helps reviewers focus on your skills, experience, and qualifications.

We encourage applicants to review their resumes and cover letters before submitting to ensure that your experience and accomplishments remain clear after redaction. If your materials rely on institution names or affiliations to explain your role, you may wish to describe the work and outcomes in your own words, so the impact is still visible to the screening committee.

Our goal is to support a hiring process that is consistent, equitable, and centered on the strengths you bring.

THE COLLEGE

Located in the northwest corner of the United States, Peninsula College is nestled in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. The main campus in Port Angeles, Washington, overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the nearby city of Victoria, British Columbia, and has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park, and Seattle. Port Angeles is two hours from Seattle and a one-hour ferry ride to Victoria, Canada. The College is honored to serve six sovereign American Indian nations in the region: Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, Makah, Hoh, and Port Gamble S'Klallam.

The College is honored to have strong relationships with these six federally recognized Tribes in the Colleges service district. The College is home to Longhouse of Learning. It is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community College campus. The College offers transferable Indigenous language courses in Klallam/S'Klallam, Makah and Quileute and Hoh languages. Instructional programs include a Tribal Homeland Security & Emergency Management certificate, and an Integrated Indigenous Studies transfer pathway. The College is committed to doing more and taking future direction from the Tribes. 

As a public comprehensive community college with baccalaureate-granting authority, Peninsula College is highly regarded by businesses, schools, and community partners for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation, high academic standards, and community engagement. The College is part of the 34-college Washington State Community and Technical College System and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The College serves more than 2,500 students through its Port Angeles and Forks campuses, its correctional facilities, community education, and its online course offerings. The College community is vibrant, engaged, and known for its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the local communities across its 3,600 square mile service district.

The College culture is defined by its Guiding Principles and its shared governance model, which values respect, open and honest communication, integrity and collaboration.  The College is a leader in the Guided Pathways work in Washington State and sees developing an equitable and socially just institution as a central part of that work. The College is highly regarded as a warm and welcoming place.  Click here for a video about Peninsula College.

Build something New. Teach where you'd want to vacation.

Peninsula College is launching a brand-new Dental Hygiene program on the Olympic Peninsula, and we're hiring the two inaugural faculty members who will shape it. This is a rare chance to design a CODA-accredited program from the ground up ¿ your curriculum, your clinic culture, your students' experience ¿ at a college that is genuinely committed to the program's long-term success and to your professional growth.

If you've been thinking about moving from clinical practice into teaching, mentoring the next generation, or building something you can point to for the rest of your career, this is the job.

The Positions:

Peninsula College invites applications from enthusiastic dental hygienists and dental hygiene educators for two positions to serve as the inaugural faculty members in the college's new Dental Hygiene program, which will serve students and communities across the Olympic Peninsula. One position will be for a full-time, tenure-track faculty member, while the other will begin as an annualized associate faculty member (a faculty position with salary prorated to the same salary scale as tenure-track faculty and full benefits) with the opportunity to transition into a tenure-track role as teaching needs evolve. Candidates may be considered for either the tenure-track or annualized associate position based on qualifications and program needs. Faculty benefit from an academic-year schedule that supports professional growth, collaboration, and work-life balance. Opportunities for additional teaching during summer may be available depending on program needs.

We are seeking educators and clinicians who value mentorship, inclusive teaching, community health, and student success. The Dental Hygiene program is designed to meet regional workforce needs and is accredited through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This is a unique opportunity to shape a growing program from the ground up within a supportive, collaborative college environment. The successful candidate will provide didactic, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction in dental hygiene courses and contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the program. 
Faculty new to higher education teaching are encouraged to apply. We value a range of professional and educational experiences, including clinical leadership, mentorship, community practice, and nontraditional pathways into teaching. Mentorship and institutional support are available for candidates transitioning from clinical practice into academia. Peninsula College offers faculty the opportunity to work closely with students in a supportive learning environment while enjoying the exceptional natural beauty and quality of life of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. 

FY27 Faculty Salary Schedule 
Initial placement on the schedule is determined by your relevant experience and credentials. You advance one full step every year you work here, per the PCFA collective bargaining agreement. 

Step 
Annual Salary (FY27) 
A 
$78,245 
B 
$81,245 
C 
$84,323 
D 
$87,574 
E 
$90,825 
F 
$94,075 
G 
$97,326 
H 
$100,576 
I 
$103,827 
J 
$107,077 
K 
$110,330 
L 
$113,578 
 
 
How you're placed at hire (per Article 15 of the PCFA CBA): 

One additional step for every 5 years of qualifying professional or teaching experience. 
Plus one step for an additional Master's degree; plus two steps for a Doctorate. 
Professional/technical placement counts documented teaching from clinical practice, industry, and continuing-education settings - not just college classrooms. 
Special-consideration placement is available where prior experience warrants. 
 
How you advance after hire: one step per year, every year, per the CBA. Earning an additional Master's while employed adds another step (+1); a Doctorate adds two (+2). Earning tenure adds +1 step. Annual COLAs apply on top of step advancement. 

For example: a candidate with 10 years of clinical and teaching experience plus a Master's degree would typically be placed at approximately Step C ($84,323) at hire and would reach Step F ($94,075) within three years through normal step advancement alone - before any COLA, tenure step, or advanced-degree step is counted.

Responsibilities:
We are committed to creating a learning and working environment where students and employees from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and able to thrive, and the activities of the faculty are a key part of that effort. We particularly welcome applicants whose experiences and perspectives will help us better serve our diverse students and communities. As a part of these efforts, the Dental Hygiene faculty members will participate in the following:

Instruction and Student Learning 
Faculty members will: 

• Teach Dental Hygiene courses in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical settings, using evidence-based teaching practices and inclusive instructional strategies.
• Evaluate student performance and provide timely feedback that helps students progress in their knowledge.

Program Development and Accreditation:
Faculty members will work together with leadership, other faculty, and staff to: 

• Collaborate with faculty and college leadership to develop and maintaining course materials, assessments, and instructional resources, integrating current research, technology, and professional standards where appropriate.
• Partner with other faculty and staff to develop and refine clinical policies, calibration practices, and program assessment strategies that support student learning and program success.
• Participate as part of a collaborative team in student admissions and the program applicant review processes.
• Work closely with program colleagues to support Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards and continuous program quality improvement efforts. 

Student Support:

We support your activities to help mentor and shape the next generation of Dental Hygienists through: 

• Supporting student retention and success through collaborative academic guidance and professional development and continuing training and assistance with advising and mentorship activities.
• Fostering a learning environment that promotes professionalism, ethical practice, and cultural responsiveness. 

College Service and Collaboration:
We support collaborative program planning, student support, curriculum improvement, and college initiatives through: 

• Collaborating with both colleagues and community partners to support program goals and shape the dental hygiene profession in the region.
• Engaging in shared governance activities, which give you a say in the direction of the program and the college.
• Contributing to program assessment, learning outcomes evaluation, and institutional effectiveness efforts, which help ensure that we are serving our students in the best possible ways. 

Professional Development:

We support ongoing professional growth in teaching, clinical practice, and leadership, which will allow you to: 

• Maintain professional licensure and current knowledge of developments in dental hygiene education and clinical practice.
• Participate in opportunities to grow professionally, through activities related to teaching, clinical practice, and program accreditation. 

Minimum Qualifications:
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every listed qualification. If you are excited about this opportunity and believe you could contribute to our students and community, we encourage you to apply. 

• Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Current, unencumbered Washington state license as a dental hygienist, or ability to obtain licensure prior to the start of teaching, and recent clinical experience as a practicing dental hygienist.
• Teaching experience in a dental hygiene program, classroom, laboratory, simulation, or clinic.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and leadership in maintaining CODA accreditation standards and supporting program quality improvement.
• Strong interpersonal, technological, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications: 
The ideal candidate will have: 

• A master's degree in Dental Hygiene, Education, Public Health, or a closely related field, or willingness to obtain a master's degree after the start of employment. Per the PCFA CBA, completing a Master's while employed earns an additional salary step.
• Three years of teaching experience in Dental Hygiene classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical curriculum that includes experience with curriculum development and commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
• Experience working with community dental clinics or regional healthcare partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded teaching and student success that may include bilingual or multilingual abilities that support communication with diverse communities. 

How to Apply:
Submit through Peninsula College's online application system. Please include: 

• A cover letter (please indicate whether you're interested in the tenure-track position, the annualized associate position, or either).
• CV or resume, including any documented teaching, training, mentoring, or precepting experience that may count toward salary placement.
• A short teaching statement (one page or less) describing your teaching philosophy - or, if you haven't taught formally, what draws you to teaching and how you've mentored or trained others.
• Three professional references.
• Questions before you apply? Contact the human resources department at [email protected].  We welcome informal conversations about the position, salary placement, or relocation. 

Background Check: 
Job offers are contingent on the successful completion of reference and background checks, which may include a review of criminal history, in accordance with Washington State law and federal guidelines. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Any information obtained will be evaluated on an individualized basis and considered only to the extent that it relates to the responsibilities of the position and the applicant's ability to perform its essential functions. 

Employment Terms: 

• In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
• A full-time tenure-track position beginning the 2026 Fall quarter; this is a nine-month academic year appointment.
• The College has a negotiated faculty salary schedule in which placement on the schedule is determined by education level and experience. Initial annual salary placement is anticipated to be $78,245 to $107,077 (Steps A through J on the FY27 schedule) for a standard 175-day contract, depending on qualifications. The current salary rate is expected to increase subject to the outcome of the negotiated Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• A standard 175-day contract is written annually for the period of September to June. Late contracts will be prorated on the basis of work-days remaining in the contract year. 

EMPLOYMENT PAY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION 
Full-Time faculty position. 
Anticipated starting salary: $78,245 to $107,077 (DOE) 

Full Time Employee Benefits: 

• Excellent benefits: including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; as of July 1, 2025, Peninsula College contributes $1,333 per month to the cost of the Washington State employee insurance programs (approximately $16,000 per year).
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions; optional credit union and tax-deferred annuity programs.
• Peninsula College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply. For candidates carrying federal student loans, this benefit can be worth $80,000 or more over ten years.
• Sick leave accrual is 8 hours per month times Full-time Equivalent.
• Guaranteed annual step advancement and negotiated COLAs per the2024-2027 PCFA collective bargaining agreement - your salary grows automatically every year you work here.
• Optional summer teaching opportunities for additional income when program needs allow.
• Choice of 24 equal payments year-round or 18 payments concentrated in the academic year.
• Curriculum development pay before the contract start date - earnings can begin as soon as the hiring process closes. 

Application materials may be uploaded electronically, by mail, or email to:

  Human Resources

  Peninsula College 

  1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

  Port Angeles, WA 98362

  Phone: (360) 417-6298

  Email: [email protected]

Applications submitted electronically will be accepted without signatures.

Jeanne Clery Statement:

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report¿Peninsula College¿s Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-417-6559.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment:

Peninsula College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Anti-Harassment and Nondiscrimination | Title IX.

Peninsula College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities. Coordination of compliance is the responsibility of the Vice President for Human Resources, Hanan Zawideh, [email protected], (360) 417-6212

Requesting Accommodations for Employment:

Peninsula College provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Peninsula College Human Resources office, 360-417-6298 or email [email protected] to request for any accommodations.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every listed qualification. If you are excited about this opportunity and believe you could contribute to our students and community, we encourage you to apply. 

• Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Current, unencumbered Washington state license as a dental hygienist, or ability to obtain licensure prior to the start of teaching, and recent clinical experience as a practicing dental hygienist.
• Teaching experience in a dental hygiene program, classroom, laboratory, simulation, or clinic.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and leadership in maintaining CODA accreditation standards and supporting program quality improvement.
• Strong interpersonal, technological, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications: 
The ideal candidate will have:

• A master's degree in Dental Hygiene, Education, Public Health, or a closely related field, or willingness to obtain a master's degree after the start of employment. Per the PCFA CBA, completing a Master's while employed earns an additional salary step.
• Three years of teaching experience in Dental Hygiene classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical curriculum that includes experience with curriculum development and commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
• Experience working with community dental clinics or regional healthcare partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded teaching and student success that may include bilingual or multilingual abilities that support communication with diverse communities.