"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.

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.

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