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. 

Position:  

Resident Lecturer in Marine Resource Management 

Reports To:  

• Center Director, Center for Marine Resource Management 

• Dean, Office of Academic Affairs 

Location: South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands 

Start Date: May 2024 

Compensation:  

This is a 14-month contract position through the end of July 2025 with likely contract renewal depending on successful completion of duties. Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. 

Benefits:

• Covered travel from home of record at the beginning and end of program contract. After one year, one additional round-trip to home of record during non-program time
• On-site room and board (all meals also provided while programs are in session)
• Auto-enrollment in an Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance plan effective from the first day of employment
• International health insurance reimbursement at 80%, increasing with each year of employment
• Long-term Disability, Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage provided by SFS
• Option to participate in SFS’s 403b retirement plan through Fidelity Investments and eligible for SFS matching contribution program after one year of employment.
• Employee referral program
• Option to participate in SFS's sabbatical program after eight semesters

Position Summary:  

The SFS Center for Marine Resource Management, located on South Caicos Island in the Turks and Caicos 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 summer or semester in Turks and Caicos. On a contract basis, the Resident Lecturer in Marine Resource Management will deliver the 50-hour Principles of Marine Resource Management course during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, during fall and 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. During two month-long summer sessions, this position will co-teach two 50-hour summer courses: Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management in June and Marine Fauna: Ecology and Conservation in July. 

SFS programs are field-based and experiential. This position will engage students in a classroom setting 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 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.  

Center Focus:  

The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies is in Cockburn Harbour on the island of South Caicos. The Center sits on a rocky coast 40 feet above the ocean. Within a three-mile radius from the Center you will find coral reefs, mangrove islands, seagrass beds, carbonate platform flats, and deep-water diving. We operate year-round, delivering two semester and two summer programs. 

The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies is committed to providing educational and research opportunities to visiting students while collaborating with local stakeholders on setting the research agenda and sharing research outcomes. SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies is working with the local community, private industry, and the government to understand marine environment issues and, in turn, determine effective management strategies. The Center’s Strategic Research Plan has three thematic components or areas of work to complete: i) assessment of marine environments and species; ii) understanding drivers of changes to marine resources; and iii) environmental stewardship. Specific projects are developed by Center faculty to answer key research questions posed under each thematic component.  

Read more about the School for Field Studies research model: Our Research - School for Field Studies 

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion:  

SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve. 

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 semester-long Principles of Marine Resource Management and Directed Research courses, respectively. Course descriptions are found below. 

• As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, co-teach the summer Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management and Marine Fauna: Ecology and Conservation courses. 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, 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"  

• Participate in the planning of activities and semester calendar prior to the start of the program and in training for new program staff 

• 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 

• Participate in regular evaluations and reflection discussions following students' departure 

• Take part in, and occasionally lead, community outreach events, site upkeep projects, and field activities 

• In cooperation with other program staff, provide day-to-day coordination of interns and/or field assistants as delegated by the Center Director 

• As requested by the Center Director, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks 

• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community 

• Drive standard transmission vehicles and boats as needed (driving license may be required) 

Safety and Wellbeing 

• Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the Center team, for the safety of all program participants 

• Complete Risk Management Plans in a timely fashion for each field outing 

• Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems 

• Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures, including the values of the SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion 

• Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans 

• Know the emergency procedures plan for the field station, 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. 

• Obtain Wilderness First Aid certification prior to first day of work (SFS support and reimbursable available) and ensure first-aid certifications are kept up to date 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree and university-level teaching experience in marine resource management, fisheries assessment and management, marine protected areas, or related field 

• Field research experience, preferably in the fields of marine resource management, fisheries assessment and management, marine protected areas, or related field  

• Open Water SCUBA certification 

• Experience teaching classes in the field  

• Experience leading students in marine-based activities and excursions and demonstrated commitment to water safety  

• Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive learning environments 

• Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team 

• Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues 

• Track record of research publications  

• Fluent in English (all courses taught in English) 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in marine resource management, fisheries assessment and management, marine protected areas, or related field 

• Divemaster SCUBA certification 

• Small boat handling experience 

• Experience working in Turks and Caicos or the Caribbean region  

• Current First Aid, CPR, and/or Wilderness First Aid certification 

• Current DAN O2 Provider certification  

• Able to operate standard transmission vehicles (driving license may be required)  

• Experience with residential student group management and/or risk management 

• Experience cross-teaching or collaborating on projects 

• Track record of grant writing success 

Expectations for Faculty Conduct: The School for Field Studies strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. The SFS environment is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. SFS will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind. Through enforcement of this policy and by education of employees, SFS seeks to prevent, correct, and discipline behavior that violates this policy. 

All offers of employment at The School for Field Studies Panama are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates and on all employees as deemed necessary. 

Course Descriptions: 

Semester Courses: 

Principles of Marine Resource Management: This course is intended to introduce the disciplines and tools required to understand and manage marine resources. This component of the academic program at the Center for Marine Resources Studies (CMRS) makes the link between Marine Ecology and Marine Conservation Governance. Topical areas include fisheries management, marine conservation, ocean pollution management, marine protected areas, coastal zone management, and strategies for sustainable development. 

Directed Research: This course provides students with the opportunity to apply ecological, biological, and/or social-scientific methods to a field research project that addresses a local issue related to the environment. We will also investigate the ways that various methods and theories distinguish (or don’t) fact from interpretation, cause from correlation, and advocacy from objectivity. The directed research topics are derived from the SFS Center’s Research Plan as defined by the Center staff and local stakeholders. Through the Directed Research project, students will contribute to a growing body of scientific research that informs local conservation and resource management decisions. SFS program lecturers lead a small group of students in this research component of the program. 

Summer Courses: 

Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management: Tropical Marine Ecosystems - Monitoring and Management is an interdisciplinary four-week summer course that highlights the ecological characteristics and current threats to coastal ecosystems, in addition to exploring existing and potential environmental management approaches that would encourage the sustainable development of small island nations such as the TCI. Course participants will gain knowledge of tropical marine ecosystem function and connectivity and will be introduced to the most pressing threats at the intersection of marine conservation and economic development. 

Marine Fauna: Ecology and Conservation: This four-week summer course explores the ecological importance and conservation status of macro- and megafauna that are prominent in the coastal waters of the tropics, namely elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), large oceanic and reef fishes, marine and coastal reptiles (sea turtles, island iguanas), and marine mammals and octopuses. The course will consist of lectures, workshops and field-based activities that provide students with an understanding of the diversity and ecological characteristics of these animals. Furthermore, the workshops and field activities will introduce students to the practical techniques that are commonly employed to study and assess marine fauna. 

Applicants are encouraged to review the full course syllabi and programs descriptions on the SFS website: Marine Resource Studies - School for Field Studies 

To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume outlining relevant experiences via the online application on the SFS Careers page at https://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/ 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)  

Equal Opportunity Employer:  SFS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnic origin, or veteran status.