Forensics​/Communication Studies Instructor

FT Forensics/Communication Studies Instructor

Salary: $87,785.00 - $ Annually

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number:
Forensics/Comm. Studies - 25

Closing: 1/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Location:

Norwalk, CA

Department:
Forensics/Comm. Studies - 25

Division:
Liberal Arts

The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal opportunity employment. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices. In fact, the college encourages applications from all segments of qualified people.

This position will close on January 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or when 150 applications are received, whichever occurs sooner).

Cerritos College is ranked 14th among the top 100 schools with the highest Hispanic enrollment in the United States by the United States Department of Education. Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate.

Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Enrollment currently averages 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Cerritos College Communication Studies Department offers a wide variety of learning opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Students may take communication studies courses to meet their general education and transfer requirements in the areas of Oral Communication, Humanities, Critical Thinking and Social Sciences. Additionally, students can participate in the department's award-winning forensics program and take advantage of its Certificate of Completion and Transfer AA Degree.

In accordance with the National Communication Association's mission, the Department seeks to promote the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public, professional, and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of relationships, and the use of critical thinking and knowledge about communication to solve problems. Course offerings include interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, oral interpretation, public speaking, organizational communication, small group communication, storytelling, oral interpretation, gender communication, argumentation and persuasion, and competitive forensics.

The successful candidate for this position will have breadth and depth of knowledge of the field and may be assigned to teach a variety of courses.

The Communication Studies Department is committed to lifelong learning and professional development. The department seeks a dynamic, well-rounded individual with the motivation, communication and leadership skills to foster appreciation of communication and support the mission of the department and college. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the current Forensics Coach, sharing coaching, mentoring, and program coordination responsibilities. Over time, the candidate will progressively assume the full responsibilities of the Director of Forensics, overseeing the department's competitive speech and debate program.

Duties include mentoring students, coordinating team activities, and promoting a culture of academic rigor and competitive success. The position also involves teaching courses in Communication Studies, contributing to departmental initiatives, and engaging in scholarly or creative activity.

The Cerritos College Forensics team is a full-service team that supports students competing in multiple formats of competitive debate (e.g., NPDA, IPDA, NFA-LD) and all forms of AFA/NFA individual events, including limited preparation, platform, and interpretation events. The team competes at local invitational tournaments, Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association tournaments, and championship tournaments including CCCFA and Phi Rho Pi. The team also hosts the longstanding annual Tabor-Venitsky invitational tournament each February on the Cerritos College campus.

This is a 10-month tenure-track contract position.

• Maintain currency with current information, concepts, laws and ideas in their disciplines and with best practices in teaching and learning.
• Check mailbox, voicemail, and e‑mail regularly.
• Complete the checkout form before leaving campus at the end of the academic term.
• Maintain student confidentiality as required by regulation and Board Policy 5040 titled Student Records and Directory Information.

• Participate in…