Wildlife/Fisheries Ecologist-9months

General Summary:

Salish Kootenai College is seeking applicants for a fish and/or wildlife ecologist. The ideal candidate will have education and experience that emphasizes ecology, genetics, population dynamics, conservation, environmental policy, stewardship, research methodology, statistical analyses, and R programming. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational, research, and community service.

The successful applicant will be expected to teach, advise, and interact with graduate and undergraduate students, develop curricula, mentor and administer graduate and undergraduate research, compete effectively for external funding, and work with internal and external stakeholders.

The individual hired in this position should have excellent communication and skills, a demonstrated commitment to mentoring students from under-represented groups successfully, and motivation to build interdisciplinary collaborations within SKC and a diverse community of tribal programs, educators, stakeholders, managers, scientists, and policy makers both locally and beyond. We seek candidates who approach research and teaching with creativity, flexibility, cultural congruency, and a strong focus on student success. Proven ability to seek out and successfully apply for grants in the related disciplines.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Teaching                                                                                                                                  

·       Plan, prepare, and organize a variety of culturally relevant teaching/learning strategies and instructional material for online and hybrid instruction, including developing anfd teaching new graduate courses.

·       Plan and supervise impactful and meaningful online/hybrid/offline in-person course experiences for students.

·       Assist the Wildlife and Fisheries Department with undergraduate degree plans, course curriculum, and instructional materials.

·       Prepare and maintain student records related to course and learning activities.

·       Maintain scheduled office hours and availability to assist and coach students as needed to promote student success.

·       Complete assessment and evaluation tools as requested.

·       Serve as a writing mentor for students.

·       Completing syllabi according to department and college guidelines, course calendar, placement of all course documents on the College’s LMS, posting final grades electronically, and posting all course documents to suitable archive resources.

·       Participate in the development and evaluation of Natural Resources Management policies and procedures as they pertain to the Graduate Degree.

·       Schedule and attend department meetings.

II. Graduate Studies and Program Development                                          

·       Develop Graduate curricula to support teaching and research in the Master of Science Natural Resource Management degree.

·       Maintain ongoing and collaborative work relationships with natural resources faculty members, students, supporting curricular faculty and support staff, and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

·       Develop and maintain pertinent research in support of graduate studies.

·       Effectively communicate degree requirements and guidelines and procedures to students.

·       Support student learning throughout the clinical learning experience by maintaining open and professional communication with students and clinical preceptors.

·       Maintain communication with students regarding their project/thesis for support and to reinforce learning.

·       Work with the Dean of Natural Resources Management, department chairs, and other faculty to compete effectively for external funding.

·       Complete assessment and evaluation tools as requested.

III. Research mentoring                                                                     

·       Mentor graduate and undergraduate research projects.

·       Serve on graduate research committees and advise graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in areas related to the faculty member’s expertise.

·       Assist with the research project development and study design.

·       Find opportunities for inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge, local knowledge, and indigenous research practices.

·       Administer graduate and undergraduate research.

·       Seek out opportunities for additional funding for research projects as needed.

·       Assist with obtaining proper permissions and permitting.

·       Provide help with data management, analyses, and interpretation.

·       Advise students on reporting and presentation of results.

IV. Advising                                                                                                   

·       Advise students on a program of study.

·       Refer students to appropriate college, community and professional resources.

·       Counsel students regarding short and long-term career and academic plans.

V.  College and Community Service                                                               

·       Serve on college committees

·       Serve on the Graduate Curriculum Committee and work collaboratively with all departments

·       Participate in college and reservation-wide cultural activities.

·       Attend Staff/Faculty meetings.

·       Participate in professional and/or community service activities sponsored by SKC.

·       Promote regional tribal community awareness of SKC Graduate Program.

VI. Professional Development                                                                      

·       Develop expertise in Native American culture relating to Natural Resource Management and Natural Sciences.

·       Attend selected professional development activities.

            Ongoing professional development in leadership, online delivery, and student            development.

·       Utilize ongoing peer review and critical self-evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications:

·       PhD in fish and/or wildlife ecology or management, zoology, conservation biology, or closely related discipline.

·       Experience and skills teaching courses in higher education.

·       Ability to function in a team setting and to work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff and external partners.

·       Demonstrated commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and motivation to build interdisciplinary collaborations.

·       Knowledge and/or willingness to obtain knowledge of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Mission of Salish Kootenai College, and indigenous research methodology.

·       Preferred demonstrated expertise in statistical analyses, genetics, population modeling, R programming, and successful grant writing.

·       History of successful teaching experience as demonstrated by faculty, peer, and student evaluations is preferred.

·       Experience working with Native American communities and students preferred.

·       Preferred prior management experience or applied research in support of natural and cultural resource programs in Tribal organizations is a plus for this position.