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| Title | Resident Lecturer in Environmental Policy & Socioeconomics |
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| Description |
IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Open Position -- Resident Lecturer in Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values:
The SFS Centre for Rainforest Studies in Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a residential team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester or summer abroad.
Institutional Mission:
SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.
Program Focus:
SFS staff and students, in collaboration with local landholders and stakeholder organizations, focus on enhancing the condition of tropical rainforests, as well as determining how we should regenerate and restore the rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands. Students learn field research techniques as they collect data on potential responses to global climate change, habitat use and animal behaviors, resilience to cyclonic events, land-use, local resident involvement in restoration projects, and cost effective and ecologically beneficial methods of restoration. Student work represents a vital contribution toward broader studies on global climate change, ecological integrity of rainforest fragments, and developing restoration practices to maximize rates of plant growth and colonization by fauna. Students are actively involved in either rainforest replanting or site maintenance with local land-care groups.
Course Overview:
The Environmental Policy & Socioeconomic Values course introduces students to the concepts and terms used in the socioeconomic analysis of environmental issues in general and natural resource management in particular. Students examine the importance of historical, social, economic, and political factors that determine the use of natural resources and shape their condition, with particular emphasis on rainforests of the Wet Tropics of Australia, and the economic, social, and political incentives for restoration and effective means of achieving it. Also examined are the impediments to rainforest conservation and restoration; policy development and impacts, especially as they relate to restoration and water quality; and how a “sense of place” affects societal choices.
The successful candidate will provide high quality, modern and experiential teaching in critical environmental issues in an interdisciplinary curriculum and participate fully in the implementation of the Centre’s five-year research plan. They will work closely with the lecturers in Rainforest Ecology and Rainforest Management to deliver an interdisciplinary program through education and research in a field setting. Each lecturer will also lead students in Directed Research projects defined in the Centre’s research plan. Research topics in socioeconomics include study of impact of global climate change on socio-ecological systems, sense of place, integrated catchment management planning and resource allocation (water), community valuation of rainforest and involvement in restoration, and integrated restoration planning between stakeholders and including community consultation and engagement.
Applicants are encouraged to review the course syllabi and programs descriptions on the SFS website:
Start Date:
September 1, 2011
Reports to:
Centre Director
Position Summary:
On an annual basis, teach the Environmental Policy & Socioeconomic Values course during two semester programs, and jointly teach in the two summer courses, Natural Resource Management in
Australia and New Zealand and Rainforest Research Field Techniques. In these courses this lecturer will examine the social, economic, cultural and political contexts that influence resource conservation and which will determine, at least in part, resource management strategies.
Lead designated components of the Centre's Five-year Research Plan and, as part of this, oversee, mentor, and grade the student directed research projects related to these research lines related to the social, economic and policy factors affecting tropical rainforest conservation and restoration.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Program
• As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach one-third of the academic program (minimum 50 lecture hours per semester, 15 per summer program)
• Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum
• Organize lectures and prepare course materials in a timely and professional manner
• Adhere to the daily academic schedule
• Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, mid-term and final examinations
• Supervise and mentor up to 11 students in Directed Research projects
• Actively support and counsel students on academic issues
• Maintain records of lectures, exams, quizzes, readings, field experiences and homework assignments
Research
• Conduct designated research according to the Centre's Five-year Research Plan
• Identify appropriate components of the Centre's research plan suitable for student Directed Research projects
• Prepare research results for clients and partners and for publication and conference presentations
• Assist in the creation and implementation of Centre research policies, priorities, budgets as required
• Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems
• Present research findings at local and international conferences (budget dependent)
Administration
• Participate in planning activities prior to the program start and in review/analysis following students' departure
• Participate in training activities for new Centre staff prior to and during the program, particularly interns
• Participate in and lead parts of the orientation and re-entry components of the program presented to students at the beginning and end of each program period
• In cooperation with other Centre staff, provide day-to-day coordination of interns as delegated by the Centre director
• Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems
• Participate in preparation of the final reports, academic handbook revisions and other required reports
• As requested by the Centre director, assist with other logistical, group management and administrative tasks
Safety & Risk Management
• Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the Centre faculty/staff team, for the safety of all program participants
• Participate in the review and revision of Centre risk assessment and management plans
• Recommend and review policies and procedures needed to manage risks
• Know the emergency procedures plan for the Centre, including evacuation plan
• Participate in the safety portions of the on-site orientation and conduct safety briefings for students and/or staff
• Complete incident reports when appropriate and contribute to safety audits
• Comply with, actively model, and enforce all SFS and Centre policies and procedures
• Ensure that first-aid certifications are kept up to date via periodic courses offered by SFS between program sessions
Daily Centre Life
• Live on-site for the duration of each program period and take meals with the students
• On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Centre-specific "staff of the day" duties
• Take part in, and occasionally lead community outreach, Centre upkeep projects, social and field activities
• At the request of the Centre director, serve as caretaker for Centre during program breaks and Centre rentals
• Drive standard transmission vehicles
• Adhere to, actively model and enforce all SFS and Centre policies and procedures
Minimum Qualifications:
• Ability to obtain Australian work authorization required
• Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in Environmental Policy, Socioeconomics, Anthropology, Environmental/ Ecological Economics, Rural Development/ Planning, or related field• Field research experience, preferably related to environmental policy, rural livelihood, rural community-based land planning and management, and non-market valuation techniques, among other related topics; use of both qualitative and quantitative social science research methods including ethnography, surveys and interviews, and valuation
• University-level teaching experience in Environmental Policy, Socioeconomics, Anthropology, Environmental Economics, or related field
• Good track record of research publications
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working with rural government agencies and NGOs
• Experience living and working in Queensland
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team
• Residential student group management and risk management experience highly desirable
Other Expectations:
• Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification required by start date (SFS reimburses up to a cap)
• Willingness to work flexible hours and live on site at the field station with a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduate students and visiting researchers or programs
• Participate in the residential campus activities and community outreach
• Represent SFS at local and international conferences
• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community
Compensation/Benefits:
Salaried with comprehensive benefits package including relocation assistance, health insurance reimbursement, retirement plans, long term disability insurance, life insurance, free room & board, and paid time off.
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