Natural Resources Instructor - Tenure Track

Join Green River College’s Natural Resources department as a full-time tenure-track instructor and make a real impact on students’ lives – both in the classroom and in the field. This applied Career Technical education position offers the unique opportunity to teach in outdoor settings, where students gain hands-on experience that directly translates to career success.

Green River College is a recognized leader in Forestry and Natural Resources education across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, offering five associate in applied science (AAS) degrees, two bachelor's in applied science (BAS) concentrations (Resource Sampling and Operations), and maintaining Society of American Foresters (SAF) accreditation for our Forestry AAS degree. Our program partners closely with industry to ensure curriculum meets current workforce needs, positioning graduates for immediate employment upon completion.

We’re seeking a student-centered, collaborative instructor who is enthusiastic about experiential learning and committed to student success. You’ll work with a dynamic team of students, colleagues, and staff in a diverse campus environment while engaging with industry partners to keep our curriculum relevant and career-focused. If you’re passionate about preparing the next generation of natural resources professionals through innovative, applied teaching methods both in the classroom and in the field, we invite you to apply.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees.  Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw.  Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.

The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

Teaching to Industry Needs

• Teach a variety of Career and Technical (CTE) courses, using applied learning methods, within the following degree paths: forest management, GIS, parks and recreation, wildland firefighting, water quality and forestry operations.
• Design, update and deliver existing curriculum using applicable and traditional tools, in consultation with industry partners to reflect current best-practices in education as well as evolving industry advancements in forest management and ecological science.
• Teach various experiential classes within and, adjacent to field of expertise, as well as other courses as department needs arise. These classes include but are not limited to Forest Mensuration, Forest Navigation, Forest Protection, Natural Resources Business, Wildlife Management, Forest Law and Policy, Silviculture, Fire, Road and Trail and GIS field-based courses as necessary.
• Design classes to, and assist with, maintenance of college learning forests through hazard tree identification and removal, trail maintenance, planting, research plot continuation, fire abatement, invasive species removal and wildlife habitat creation and seedling release among other tasks.

Industry Connections

• Develop relationships with regional natural resource employers to ensure a high rate of employment for our graduates, while continuously aligning curricula to meet current natural resource industry standards.
• Plan, implement, and execute offsite projects and field-based coursework to deepen student learning, coordinating with natural resource industry partners, team members, and landowners throughout Washington State. Due to the nature of outdoor-based learning and extended field trips, working hours may include evening, weekend, and overnight availability.

Department Administration

• Collaborate with the Natural Resources team on department operations including class scheduling, course and program review, extended field trip planning, and student advising.
• Participate in college, divisional, and professional activities such as committee work and professional development; communicate relevant information and insights back to the department to align and inform college initiatives with departmental goals and needs. Attend and support program events including, but not limited to, weekly team meetings, overnight trips, annual mentor night event, fall field days, spring finals field trip, and quarterly advisory committee meeting.
• Share administrative responsibilities for the Natural Resources Program, including maintaining industry certifications, developing industry partnerships, updating curriculum to meet accreditation and workforce standards, operating specialized equipment, organizing field placements, providing career guidance, and networking with industry stakeholders.

Advising Students to Be Job Ready

• Serve in an official advising capacity for program students, and be available to students through office hours, and have a general open-door policy.
• Connect students to campus resources such as scholarships, internships, job skill development as well as off campus funding sources to maintain or improve completion rates.  
• Explain the Natural Resource associate and bachelor’s degrees to prospective students.
• Advise current students on a quarterly basis to help maintain individual student program goals.

Having hesitations about applying?  Please reach out!  tshilipetar@greenriver.edu

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education

• Bachelor's degree in forestry or closely related field -OR- Associate in Applied Sciences with forestry focus.

Experience

• 2-3 years of applied, field-based forest management experience within industry (with Bachelor's degree) -OR- 3-5 years field experience (with Associate's degree)
• Ability to build constructive professional relationships and work effectively in dynamic environments characterized by collaboration and mutual regard as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience working with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds as well as those with disabilities
• Valid driver's license with minimum 2 years of off-road (4x4) driving experience on forest and logging roads

Competencies

• Ability to work in field settings under adverse weather conditions
• Maintain and make general repairs on instructional equipment such as Relaskops, Spencer log tapes, small engines, chainsaws, as needed.
• Proficient in implementing Washington State Forest Practices rules, regulations, and compliance, including understanding HCP requirements
• Proficient in field data gathering and sampling techniques/methods
• Proficient in GIS software (e.g., ArcPro) and able to assist students with entry-level GIS and data management
• Ability to use data collection devices in field environments and transfer data into usable formats for analysis (e.g., Avenza, GPS, Field Maps)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Dedication to closing the education gap for underrepresented groups in natural resource education and employment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching and/or training experience at the college level or in the field.
• Agency certified in chainsaw use.
• Experience working with Tribal entities.
• Experience with practicing inclusive leadership and fostering an inclusive culture on a team.

• This position will be required to help maintain SAF accreditation for the program.   Requirements can be found by visiting the following link: https://eforester.org/Main/Certification_Education/Accreditation/Criteria_and_Documents/Main/Accreditation/Criteria and Documents.aspx?hkey=b337bccf-b946-4038-8667-108442c69e22
• This position requires camping at remote sites up to 3 times a year as part of fulfilling their job duties.
• For more information on Green River College’s Career & Technical Education programs, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/students/academics/degrees-programs/career-technical-education/index.html

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

To be considered for this position, include the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled "Supplemental Questions").

• Cover letter that that specifically describes how you meet the minimum and the preferred qualifications
• Resume

This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by The Green River United Faculty Coalition.

Additional information may be requested if selected to interview.

At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.)
  
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080.
   
Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/
   
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Green River College’s Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350.
   
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320.
  
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.
  
Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination:  Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
   
Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
  
Reporting: Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College’s appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.
  
For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator   Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Email: titleixcoordinator@greenriver.edu 

Salary : $67,000 - $97,000