Reports To:
Center Director, Center for Endangered Species Conservation
Dean, Office of Academic Affairs
Position Summary:
The SFS Center for Endangered Species Conservation, located in Kenya, seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester in Kenya. On a contract basis, the Lecturer in Human Dimensions of Conservation will deliver the 50-hour Human Dimensions of Endangered Species Conservation course during the spring semester. Additionally, during spring, they will co-teach the 50-hour Directed Research course with other faculty members, leading a faculty-developed directed research project with a small group of students. SFS Kenya has a thematic focus on wildlife and natural resource management and community livelihoods and well-being in the rift-valley of rural Kenya.
SFS programs are field-based and experiential. This position will engage students in a classroom and through extensive time spent in the field. We encourage faculty to integrate as much fieldwork and hands-on experience into their courses as possible.
SFS programs do not follow a nine to five model. Faculty are also integral members of the Center’s communal living model, eating and working with the student cohort.
Faculty are expected to be active members in the community-building process. Additional responsibilities outside of teaching may include participation in community engagement days, involvement in student life, organization of laboratory space, and general Center upkeep. We are especially interested in candidates with experience teaching to a diverse student body, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in a learning environment, conservation, and the Center’s host community.
Duties and Responsibilities:
SFS Lecturer positions are different than many other university teaching positions. Lecturers are integral members of the Center’s communal living model. The faculty team works closely and collaboratively to deliver a field-based interdisciplinary program, where programming days can be long and active. In addition to providing high quality, inquiry-based teaching, faculty also participate fully in student life and in the implementation of the Center’s research plan. The publication of both student-assisted and independent research results is encouraged and supported.
Teaching
As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach and co-teach the Human Dimensions of Endangered Species Conservation course and Directed Research courses, respectively. Course descriptions are found below.
Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum to learners from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds
Organize lectures, prepare course materials, and adhere to a daily academic schedule in a timely and professional manner
Actively support and counsel students on academic issues
Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, and assessments
Supervise and mentor a student research group during the Directed Research course
Maintain an organized course portfolio
Participate in preparation of final reports, academic handbook revisions, and other required administrative tasks
Maintain equipment as required for teaching in the field
Research
Participate in the development and upkeep of the Center’s Strategic Research Plan (SRP) and conduct designated and aligned independent research
Identify appropriate components of the SRP suitable for student DR projects that prioritize community needs and build on local knowledge networks
Prepare research results for community stakeholders and broader scientific and non-scientific audiences using accessible communication methods
Assist, as required, with reviewing program research policies, priorities, and budgets
Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems
Represent SFS and/or present research at local, regional, or international meetings and conferences
Daily Center Life
Work flexible hours and live on site or nearby the field station with a small team of permanent staff and groups of US undergraduate students.
Contribute to the creation of a living-learning community that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, in which all learners have the opportunity to thrive
Actively model skills in competence, awareness, and knowledge necessary for meaningfully working with, interacting with, and learning from others who may differ from oneself in identity and/or lived experience
On a rotating basis, act as on-call “staff of the day/week””
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