POSITION TITLE

Field Studies Lead Instructor

Position overview and responsibilities

Renowned for its accredited researched-based undergraduate field programs, Wildlands Studies seeks candidates holding a MSc or PhD to be the Lead Instructor for new field programs. Students consistently report that their Wildlands Studies experience added depth and meaning to their on-campus classes and “changed their lives”. Wildlands Studies instructors enhance their own credentials with unique opportunities to teach in the field while engaging students in active research.

The Lead Instructor will direct students on an academically rigorous, wilderness-based two and six-week field study programs to explore habitats and cultures of specific U.S.A. and international locales, with the aim to offer the course repeatedly each year. Students earn 5-15 quarter credits for one or three field classes covering Environmental Studies, Field Research Practices, and Environment and Culture. The Lead Instructor is responsible for on-going seminars, lectures, instruction, guided field work and field methods, and assessment of all student work, as well as group dynamics and the overall well-being of participants.

Each year Wildlands Studies offers sixteen to twenty field programs per year studying wildlife and wildland environmental topics emphasizing hands-on learning and onsite explorations of pressing environmental issues. Programs take place in North America, Asia, Central and South America, South Africa and other locales. This year students study wolf populations, elephant re-entry, mountain wildlife ecology, ecosystem dynamics, conservation biology, forest resource management, and cultural sustainability. Instructors are responsible for developing and teaching the program curriculum and syllabus, coordinating logistics, and providing a safe and engaging program on-site.

Wildlands Studies is currently accepting new program proposals for a Spring 2025 program. We advertise for new proposals and locations in environmental journals and specific environmental education websites. We ask that all new proposals follow our formal Program Proposal Guidelines, found below as a PDF, and complete our online application. Proposals are reviewed when received. Our program calendar is planned twelve to eighteen months in advance and instructors must be able to commit to a program up to eighteen months out with the aim to have the program offered repeatedly.

TRAITS THAT MAKE A SUCCESSFUL INSTRUCTOR INCLUDE

• The ability to design and implement an engaging academic curriculum, including all related materials, assessment requirements and field study work using our standard module, curriculum and structure;

• A flexible, engaging, easy-going, student friendly personality, able to provide on-going support to students twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for several weeks;

• Excellent logistical skills including the ability to plan all program details and run the program on-site, as well as manage any emergencies or medical needs if they arise;

• Administrative skills able to draft all required documents and materials by administrative deadlines, maintain budget, provide regular on-site feedback and updates, and keep accurate financial, administrative and incident records

Field instructor Position Information

Accepting course proposals and instructor applications for Spring 2025 programs.

Name of employing organization

Wildlands Studies, LLC. We are an affiliate and educational partner of Western Washington University. We contract all our instructors as independent contractors.

STATE/COUNTRY/PROVINCE OF PRIMARY WORK LOCATION

International and U.S., region/area related to instructor’s expertise.

Position Qualifications

PhD or MS with previous field study experience and extensive expertise in region of proposal. Applicants must have graduate degree in hand. Background checks, including a request for fingerprints, will be required for contracted program staff

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT

Year-round, academic term specific. Each program follows the university quarter system term. Instructors must be able to commit to programs that may be offered up to eighteen months out.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES

Submit a Lead Instructor or Instructor application including a cover letter and resume using our online application system, along with a formal Program Proposal (PDF guideline above). The online application link can be found at the top of this webpage. Please be sure to review our website and programs before responding. Applicants will be reviewed as they come in and qualified applicants will be contacted.