Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

The Department of Sociology is comprised of thirteen permanent full-time faculty on the main campus engaged in a wide range of research activities who often involve undergraduate students in research and teaching. The Sociology Department is one of sixteen departments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS).  For more information, please visit the Department website.

The mission of Western Washington University - Peninsulas is to empower individuals and communities across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas through high-quality, accessible, higher education. Through innovative programs and partnerships with Olympic College and Peninsula College, we provide diverse pathways to academic excellence and career success. By aligning our curriculum with the evolving needs of the region and prioritizing engagement with local industries, we aim to foster a culture of lifelong learning and economic vitality. With a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and community collaboration, we strive to cultivate leaders who will positively impact the social, cultural, and economic landscape of the Peninsulas and beyond. WWU Peninsulas offers a suite of 10+ Bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, business, environmental programs and more.  

The Sociology Department seeks applicants for a Visiting Assistant Professor position for Western on the Peninsula, Sociology for Professionals at the Olympic College locations in the Bremerton and Poulsbo, WA region. This is a three-year fixed term position, beginning Fall 2026.

Position Responsibilities:

The department, college and University value teaching, and we expect you to be an excellent teacher; to be current in your discipline; to engage students actively in their own learning including discussion, writing, and analysis; and to set high standards regarding course content. You are expected to provide students with feedback on their coursework and examinations, and to be available to students through regularly scheduled office hours in keeping with department policy. You must have your students evaluate your course(s) using the standard University evaluation forms, or others approved by the provost, and you must make those evaluations available to the department chairs and faculty for annual review.

Service components to include serving as program lead for Western on the Peninsulas Sociology for Professionals faculty and assist in outreach to faculty colleagues at regional community colleges.

• Ph.D. or ABD in Sociology or closely related social science field
• Demonstrated potential for excellent teaching in sociology
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

• Ph.D. in Sociology or closely related discipline
• Successful prior teaching experience
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Evidence of scholarship

Salary

$50,312 to $57,304, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Teaching load 2, 2, 3 over three quarters with service.

Bargaining Unit

 United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

You will be asked to provide contact information of three references.

For information about the department and potential openings, contact Seth Feinberg, Sociology Department Chair at 360-650-3864 or seth.feinberg@wwu.edu. 

Application review begins February 25, 2026; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.