Dental Assistant Instructor-Tenure Track at Bellingham Technical College – Bellingham, Washington

As a Dental Assisting Instructor, you’ll bring curriculum to life through innovative teaching methods, mentorship, and meaningful student engagement across a variety of learning environments. Join a collaborative team dedicated to excellence, continuous improvement, and advancing the future of dental education.

Salary: $74,408-$107,187

Develop curriculum and teach Dental Assisting coursework and other related courses to professional/technical and transfer students.

• Provide high-quality student-centered instruction using multiple instructional modalities (including online, hybrid, face-to-face)
• Provide timely and accurate assessment feedback
• Participate in the development and revision of curriculum
• Monitor and document student performance
• Hold office hours and provide student advising
• Participate in department management in coordination with the Dean and other faculty, including annual schedules
• Mentor adjunct faculty
• Work with other faculty and staff to create and implement long-term and strategic plans for the department
• Work with other college faculty and staff on issues relevant to student success
• Effectively use instructional computer applications, including Canvas
• Regularly attend all faculty, division, and department meetings and serve on campus-wide committees
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Bellingham Technical College's Mission
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

This position requires the ability to:

• Work effectively with diverse students, colleagues, staff and a community who represent a broad spectrum of ages, abilities, ethnicities, and educational, economic, and cultural backgrounds
• Communicate clearly (verbal and written)
• Work independently and as a member of a team
• Analyze and solve problems independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Bellingham Technical College's Mission and contribute to college-wide goals and activities
• Work independently and on a variable schedule that may include evenings

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current Washington State Department of Health Dental Assistant Registration
• Nationally Certified Dental Assistant (DANB) or ability to obtain before September 1, 2026
• Completion of a Dental Assistant program, certificate or higher
• Five or more years of experience in the application of four handed dentistry principles and expanded functions as a chairside assistant
• Demonstrated ability to teach and/or train individuals with a variety of learning styles and backgrounds
• Prior to final hire, a pre-employment background, including criminal history and signed declaration statement as it pertains to sexual misconduct per Washington State Law (RCW 28B.112.080) will be conducted. Employment is contingent on passing the background check and signed declaration per RCW 28b.112.080 satisfactory to the college. Information from the background check and declaration will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. This position has access to children under the age of 18 as part of the State of Washington Running Start Program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Dental Assisting programsuch as Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Experience in a leadership role
• Demonstrated experience with designing training, organizing instructional content, or using technology to support learning
• Experience with Dental software applications

Compensation, Work Schedule and Benefits:

Salary $74,408-$107,187 based on a 173-day annual contract

Final placement is determined according to the current negotiated CBA and based on an evaluation of education and work and/or teaching experience.

• Additional optional compensation may be paid above the 173-day contract rate subject to terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
• Additional summer contract and compensation would be paid for summer quarter if program is in session and an assignment is available.
• Additional compensation includes up to $4,000 for doctoral stipend
• Access to professional development pool

This is not guaranteed year to year and is subject to legislation and Collective Bargaining. The work schedule will vary based on student and college needs. Some evening hours are expected. This is not a remote position. On campus teaching and presence are required.

Benefits:

This position will receive prorated leave based on the BEA CBA:

• Receive 90 hours of frontloaded sick leave per academic year (based on 7.5 hours per month)
• 2 non-cumulative personal leave days per academic year
• 3 non-cumulative family illness days per academic year

Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including selecting one of:

• 6 medical options
• 3 dental plan options
• 3 vision plan options

Include:

• Life insurance
• Long-term disability

Retirement benefits package including one of:

• Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 3
• SBCTC Retirement 403(b)

Two voluntary investment (not matched) programs

• TIAA (403b)
• State Deferred Compensation (457) plan

Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in:

• Medical Flexible Spending plan
• Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Discounts for automobile and homeowner insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Up to 21 days of military leave
• Up to 5 days of paid bereavement leave
• Paid civil/jury duty
• Bereavement leave
• Ability to participate in a shared leave program

Bargaining Unit:

• The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Association (BEA) Benefits are subject to the CBA.

Application Procedures and Deadline:

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on 05/04/2026 for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled.

More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visas.

Required Online Application Materials:

(Attachments in Word or PDF file only)

• Complete the BTC online application
• Resume
• Complete all supplemental questions
• Official transcripts of any degrees listed and copies of licenses will be required upon hire, but not as part of the application process

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for May 22 with 2nd interviews occurring June 11th after reference checks. Candidates selected for interviews will be provided with a topic for a 10-minute teaching demonstration at the time interviews are scheduled.

Estimated Start Date: September 1, 2026, for Fall Quarter