Job Description

Position Details

Position Information



Position Title
Organic Agriculture Adjunct Faculty (Full time, Winter-Summer 2024)


Job Summary

We seek a broadly trained agroecologist with demonstrated expertise in sustainable agriculture with working knowledge of diversified vegetable and fruit production relevant to the Pacific Northwest. The advertised position is an adjunct position involving the planning and team-teaching of a 9-month, 48-credit, interdisciplinary Agroecology Science and Practices course that spans winter, spring, and summer quarters (January-August 2024). Although this is a 9-month temporary position, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to apply for future positions within our evolving agriculture curriculum.

Farm and classroom scheduling and activities will also be coordinated with allied faculty teaching in the Food and Agriculture Path to optimize use of facilities and provide for collegial interaction and student networking opportunities. Opportunities may include: collaborations for a sustainable, equity-focused campus food system; variety field trials (on land and the campus shellfish garden); andmarket stand, classroom, and community culinary breeding tastings.

The successful candidate will be expected to assist students and the farm manager in the planning and operations of a small-scale production/teaching farm, while carefully coordinating academic planning with the farm manager, including 16 hours/week of student farm practicum that spans crop and sales planning, organic production, and community-based marketing of farm products. The academic component (8 hours/week of classroom and lab time with some local field trips) is expected to deepen students\xe2\x80\x99 understanding of agricultural sciences in general, with emphasis in soil science, plant propagation, science-based horticultural practices for vegetables and perennial fruits, and plant health management, alongside small farm planning and operations that complement seasonal on-farm practicum learning. One example of a current academic offering at the farm can be seen here: https://www.evergreen.edu/catalog/offering/plant-propagation-and-winter-season-horticultural-practices-40279.

Over the past 50 years, the college has operated a small organic farm, with 2 acres in row crop and perennial fruit production, laying hens, a large community garden, food-grade laboratory and classroom facilities, and a certified commercial kitchen. The farm and surrounding forest serve multiple academic programs, and the successful candidate is expected to participate in the Food and Ag Path planning meetings to coordinate farm use across academic programs. The successful candidate will have a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for teaching and learning in an interdisciplinary environment with experience teaching undergraduates. The successful candidate must have experience with the practical, economic, cultural, and social contexts in which agriculture is embedded, with an understanding of small-farms food production and how farms create value through marketing and basic business planning. The successful candidate will also do outreach to organizations and farmers to create local field trips for students. We seek candidates who will support and encourage a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive learning environment, promote food justice, and who have had experience teaching and working with students from underserved populations.


Job Expectations
Most faculty will teach in full-time 16-credit programs connected by a particular theme or line of inquiry. Faculty are generally responsible for evaluating 25 students/quarter, though their programs may include up to 50-75 students, depending on the size of their teaching team. This arrangement allows for in-depth, interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and the building of strong learning communities. Faculty are also responsible for advising students as they reflect on their learning process, develop a pathway of study, and formulate their own areas of concentration.

Our teaching is student-centered, which means we are interested in helping students develop strong skills in critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaborative work. Because over 80% of our students come from underserved and marginalized groups, we are particularly invested in approaches to teaching that emphasize diversity and equity, that provide opportunities for challenge and growth, and that foster a learning environment where all are welcome and all can learn from each other.

A complete list of faculty responsibilities can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.


Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. in the agricultural sciences, such as agroecology, sustainable agriculture, soil ecology, plant health, plant breeding for organic/integrated systems, or related disciplines

• Ability to teach introductory soil science, plant propagation, science-based horticultural practices for vegetables and perennial fruits, and plant health management

• Experience in either applied agricultural field research or diversified, small-scale organic farming

• Previous teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in the agricultural sciences, such as agroecology, sustainable agriculture, soil ecology, plant health, plant breeding for organic/integrated systems, or related disciplines

• Understanding of small-farm business, marketing, farm planning practices

• Field experience in the Pacific Northwest in either applied agricultural field research or diversified, small-scale organic farming

• Public or private sector applied experience in small farm, marketing, and business planning and implementation

• Experience teaching agriculture at the college or university level

• Professional experience in agriculture, i.e. farming

• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations

Conditions of Employment

• As a condition of employment, persons hired must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of beginning work.

• Prior to an official offer of employment, a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct form must be submitted to the college per RCW 28B.112.080. The college will contact current and past employers to verify this information. Applicants who provide inaccurate information in their declaration will be disqualified and, if the inaccuracies are discovered after the applicant has been hired, it shall be grounds for termination.

Application Instructions

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae or resume
• List of 3 references with contact information

About Evergreen
Evergreen is an innovative, public, liberal arts college emphasizing integrated interdisciplinary study and collaborative team-teaching throughout the undergraduate curriculum and in three graduate programs. Teaching is the central work of the faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful teaching at Evergreen requires broad-ranging intellectual curiosity, the ability to formulate interdisciplinary questions, and the pedagogical skills to support our diverse student population.


EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen\xe2\x80\x99s non-discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www.evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867-5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.


Full time/Part time
Full Time


Salary Information
Quarterly (1.0 FTE, adjunct): $13,184 - $29,719 per quarter


Posting Detail Information



Number of Vacancies
1


Location
Olympia


Start Date
Winter 2024


Open Date
04/18/2023


Review Start Date
May 8, 2023


Special Instructions to Applicant
Please submit a cover letter that explicitly addresses the various components of this position description. Successful applicants will give attention to the ways in which they meet each of the Minimum Qualifications and any of the Preferred Qualifications.


Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://evergreen.peopleadmin.com/postings/3515