JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Native Environmental Science Faculty
Focus: Geographic Information System
(9 Month Full-Time)
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OPENING DATE: |
August 26, 2024 |
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REVIEW DATE: |
Every two weeks |
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CLOSING DATE: |
Open until filled |
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LOCATION: |
Main Campus |
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CO-SUPERVISORS: |
Chair-Native Environmental Science Department and Director of the Salish Sea Research Center |
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SALARY |
$50,000-$65,000 (Summer teaching/Research also available for research and grant-relate work in addition to the base salary) |
The salary placement upon hire will be based on the selected candidate's education and relevant work experience as outlined in the job announcement and the established salary schedule for the classification of position to be filled. This position is funded by NASA Grant Award # 80NSSC l 7M0060.
Northwest Indian College invites applicants for a full-time faculty position on Lummi campus. This position has primary teaching responsibilities that support the BS in Native Environmental Science, and research related to harmful algae, ocean color, and remote sensing through the Salish Sea Research Center. Research and scholarship related to this position will focus on climate resiliency issues important to the students and communities that Northwest Indian College serves. The candidate should hold a MS or PhD in earth, atmospheric, or geospatial science, or a closely related discipline, with extensive experience in climate science, environmental science, or natural resources. The applicant's work should engage with climate resiliency issues, as applicable to GIS, remote sensing, and ocean color. In addition, preference will be given to applicants with experience with critical geography/ cartography. Applicants should also have experience with maintaining and upgrading hardware and software typically used in GIS and GPS applications, such as: ArcGIS, Terra Sync, and Trimble OPS equipment. Experience with open-source software used in GIS and image processing is highly desired.
The successful candidate will have experience with tribal communities. Scholars whose work intersects with Indigenous environmental areas such as climate science, economic development, transnationalism, and other environmental concerns as they relate to tribal resource management are of particular interest. Ideal candidates should have scholarship addressing relations among Indigenous nations; Indigenous communities, federal, state, and local governments; Indigenous cultural revitalization movement; and/or Indigenous knowledge.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Duties
• Instruction: The successful candidate will teach 10-15 credits quarterly, with adjustment to the teaching load based on time spent in course design and development and participation in research. Specifically, the candidate will be responsible for teaching beginning and advanced GIS courses, as well as a course in remote sensing and ocean color, designed within the framework of NASA Earth System Sciences focus areas on climate resiliency of the Salish Sea. Teaching should also be grounded in place-based education and community goals of the Lummi Nation. Teaching upper division courses related to the faculty's discipline and research interests (as they relate to the BSNES program and college mission) is also expected. Time will be spent integrating remote sensing products into established course curricula, as directly related to student and workforce needs.
• Student interns/mentorship activities: This position will include the advisement of summer interns within the BSNES program, focused on students who are looking to incorporate Indigenous knowledge using remote sensing tools into their career or education goals. The faculty member is also expected to meet regularly with and serve on student senior capstone committees, for both the Environmental Science Option (ESQ) and Interdisciplinary Concentration Option (ICO) of the BSNES degree.
• Scholarship and research: Maintain an active involvement in scholarship as related to communities that NWIC serves, and related to grant-funded objectives. Remain current with the literature and research in this field of study. Seeking funding to support student-led research projects as it relates to remote sensing and climate resiliency is also encouraged. This position includes workshops and outreach activities within the tribal and local communities at the Salish Sea, focused on introducing the community to ideas of climate resiliency and the tools of GIS, remote sensing, and ocean color and will include leading periodic workshops related to GIS / spatial analysis in support of community and student need.
• Service: Participate in on-campus committees related to the Native Environmental Science Department, Salish Sea Research Center lab meetings, and elsewhere throughout the college as necessary and appropriate. This work involves maintaining collaborative relationships with partner institutions and government agencies, such as NASA Ames Research Center.
The chosen applicant may supervise two or more student interns who are conducting research and may carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the college's personnel policies and applicable laws.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master's degree in the field of earth, atmospheric, or geospatial science or closely related discipline;
• Experience in climate, environmental science and natural resources;
• Thorough understanding of the concept of spatial analysis, GIS, and remote sensing;
• Experience writing research articles that are published in scientific journals;
• Experience working with diverse student populations;
• Evidence of effective teaching at a college level;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and;
• Works well in a team-setting.
Preferred Qualifications
• Doctorate in the field of earth, atmospheric, or geospatial science or closely related discipline;
• Extensive experience in climate, environmental science and natural resources;
• Scholarship or interest in the fields of critical geography or cartography;
• Experience working with Tribal organizations on environmental issues;
• Record of curriculum development and scholarship in their field of study;
• Experience with student academic and / or faculty advising and;
• Experience in multiple teaching modalities.
Interested individuals should submit the following application materials directly to the NWIC Human Resources Office only.
1. Cover letter addressing how you meet the position qualifications
2. NWIC Application
3. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) form
4. Current and complete professional resume
5. Copies of colleges transcripts (official copy requested at time of hire)
6. Three letters of recommendation from persons, who not members of your immediate family, who have firsthand knowledge of your qualifications for the position
7. If applicable to the position, provide copies of certificates/licenses/credentials
The job announcement and application forms are available online at www.nwic.edu/jobs or may be requested from and submitted directly to:
The job announcement and application forms are available online at www.nwic.edu/about-nwic/employment or may be requested from and submitted directly to:
Human Resources
Northwest Indian College
2522 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA 98226-9278
Telephone/Fax: 360.392.4230
Email: employment@nwic.edu
Other information: Applicants can contact or direct questions to the Search Committee Chair, Emma S. Norman at enorman@nwic.edu or by phone 360-392-4309.
NWIC grew from the Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture, founded in 1973, a single-purpose training program developed to prepare technicians for employment in Indian-owned and operated fish and shellfish hatcheries throughout the United States and Canada.
In 1983, the Lummi Indian Business Council recognized the need for a more comprehensive post-secondary institution for tribal members, and the college was chartered as Lummi Community College, an Indian-controlled, comprehensive two-year college, designed to serve the post-secondary educational needs of Indian people living in the Pacific Northwest. In June of 1988, Lummi Community College was approved as a candidate for accreditation by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWASC) and, on January 20, 1989, in acknowledgement of its wider mandate to serve Native people through the Northwest, Lummi Community College changed its name to the Northwest Indian College.
Northwest Indian College was granted accreditation at the associate level by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), effective September 1993. In 2010, NWIC became accredited at the baccalaureate level and now offers four bachelor’s degrees. The College’s educational programs have been approved by the US Department of Education, Veteran’s Administration, and the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board for the administration of financial assistance for eligible student. Northwest Indian College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), the American Association of Community Colleges, and the American Council on Education.
NWIC hiring practices include adherence to the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 473). NWIC supports and provides equal opportunity employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information.