This is being shared on behalf of Peninsula College, all inquiries should be directed to them.
Open Date: March 20, 2026
Close Date: June 1, 2026 (open until filled)
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026 (Curriculum development work paid separately and may begin immediately upon hire)
Starting Salary (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.
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.
- Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene, Education, Public Health, or a closely related field, or willingness to obtain a masters degree within a time frame required for tenure.
- Current, unencumbered Washington State license as a Dental Hygienist, or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.
- Five years of recent clinical experience as a practicing dental hygienist.
- Experience teaching Dental Hygiene classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical curriculum in a higher education setting.
- Experience with curriculum development for diverse populations and commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
- Experience with program assessment and accreditation processes, including CODA standards.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to use instructional technologies and learning management systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
- Possess a Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene or Dental Hygiene Education.
- Demonstrate commitment to equity-minded teaching and student success.
- Have experience working with community dental clinics or regional healthcare partners.
- Possess bilingual or multilingual abilities that support communication with diverse communities.
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.
The Olympic Peninsula:
- Olympic National Park is twenty minutes from campus. Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Hoh Rainforest, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are part of daily life here. Housing costs a fraction of Seattle’s. Ferries to Victoria, BC run from downtown Port Angeles. For candidates considering relocation: this is somewhere people drive hours to visit on weekends.
- Peninsula College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.