DirecciónInstitutional Mission : SFS creates transformativestudy abroad experiences through field-based learning and research.Our educational programs explore the human and ecologicaldimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our localpartners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places wherewe live and work.
The SFS community is part of a growing network ofindividuals and institutions committed to environmentalstewardship. Position Title : - Center Director Reports To : - SFSPresident Location : - Tarapoto, Peru Start Date : - Spring 2024 orearly Summer 2024 Position Summary : The SFS Center for AmazonStudies, located in Tarapoto, Peru, seeks an enthusiastic,team-oriented individual to serve as leader of a residential teamof faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-onlearning experience to undergraduate students from U.
- S.institutions of higher learning who are spending a semester abroad.This is a year-round, salaried position. This position isresponsible for administering all aspects of the SFS programincluding staff management and team building;
- oversight of Centeroperations, finance, and administration; academic program planning,delivery and evaluation; the Center’s Strategic Research Plan andsecuring grant support;
and representation of the Center in local,regional and international arenas. Serve as part of a residentialteam of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary,hands-on learning experience to students spending a semesterabroad.
A key part of the Center Director role is to activelycreate and foster successful living-learning communities wherediverse students and staff can thrive.
Knowledge of and modeling ofinclusive professional practices with staff and students is a majorcomponent of the role. Knowledge and familiarity with inclusivecommunity living and diverse social, mental, and cultural needs isrequired.
This inclusivity extends to building collaborativerelationships with community partners. Integrated and collectiveresearch, outreach, and environmental education is a key part ofSFS’s commitment to our community.
Compensation / Benefits : This is atwelve-month contract position, with likely continuance dependingon successful completion of duties and sufficient studentenrollment.
Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications.Comprehensive benefits package and room and board included. CenterFocus : The SFS Center for Amazon Studies seeks to understand boththe conflicts and synergies of conservation and development.
Students will gain a sense of the richness of the Amazonregion biodiversity, social and cultural diversity, and ecosystemservices while exploring strategies for sustainable livelihoods inthis highly productive and diverse region of South America.
Theinterdisciplinary themes of socio-ecological resilience,environmental justice, and conservation will guide our inquiry.
Through coursework, field exercises, and Directed Research,students will study people’s dependence on the environment, examinethe threats to the environment and to social networks, and explorethe tools and strategies for mitigating the threats and promotingwell-being among rural communities.
A strong component of theprogram will be examining the ecological patterns and processesthat underpin the high diversity of the region.
SFS Position onDiversity and Inclusion : SFS was founded with the belief thatstewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people allaround the world.
Addressing complex global issues requires theactive inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives andidentities. We recognize that to successfully address threats toour natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designedto divide us.
Just as we value biodiversity in all its forms, wevalue and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives andpeople in the countries where we work and the students and staff weserve.
Duties and Responsibilities : SFS Center Director positionsare different than many other university or research directorpositions.
Center Directors are integral members of the Center’scommunal living model. The faculty and staff team at each Centerworks closely and collaboratively to deliver a field-basedinterdisciplinary program, where programming days can be long andactive.
In addition to ensuring high quality, inquiry-basedteaching, Center Directors also participate fully in student lifeand lead and set the community culture.
Center Directors are alsoresponsible for the implementation of the Center’s StrategicResearch Plan. It is required that Center Directors live on-site ornearby for the duration of each program period and spend fullworkdays with the program, intentionally engaging with staff andstudents in multiple settings (academics, meals, student lifeactivities, etc.
Personnel and Student Management - Lead programplanning activities prior to semester program, and debrieffollowing student departures, including written reports toHeadquarters (HQ) - Lead regular staff, faculty and studentmeetings in support of program delivery - Monitor student conductand mediate higher-level disciplinary problems - Superviseprofessional and academic staff - Support a strong Center culturethrough regular meetings and open communication - Collaborate withthe SFS HQ to recruit and retain qualified faculty and staff, tocreate opportunities for professional development - Monitorperformance of Center staff throughout the year and conduct formalstaff evaluations to set and meet performance objectives - Observeand review faculty teaching, coaching as needed and ensuringincorporation of current and innovative best teaching practicesFiscal & Facility Management - Ensure sound fiscal managementthrough careful review of the budget and expenditures, workingclosely with SFS HQ Operations team to develop and manage operatingand capital budgets - Work with Site Manager to carry out facilityand vehicle maintenance and replacement and manage the importprocess of goods and consumables - Assume overall safety of allprogram participants, staff and visitors, working closely with theHealth and Wellness Manager including the enforcement of programvehicle and boat policies, diving protocols, and program riskassessment and management plans - Ensure the Center operates in amanner which is consistent with local, regional, and national laws,regulations and codes (permits, work visits, insurance, occupancylaws, etc.
In coordination with the Site Manager, serve ascaretaker for the Center site during non-program and intersessionperiods Academic Program Management - In coordination with theOffice of Academic Affairs, review the undergraduate academiccurriculum and work with the faculty to update and improve pedagogyand content of classes and field work - Review program evaluationsand implement actions to maintain high academic quality standards -Promote the participation of local and international experts andpartners in both the teaching and research programs - Advisestudents where appropriate to assist in the success of theiracademic program - Adhere to and enforce SFS academic policies forstudents and faculty Research Program Management - Work with theSFS Office of Academic Affairs, the Center team, and communitypartners to ensure ongoing implementation and development of theCenter’s Strategic Research Plan, including appropriate involvementof students, publication of results, data management and recordkeeping, retention of partners and achievement of research goals -Work with the HQ staff to identify funding sources in support ofthe Center and assist in grant writing - Build connections with thelocal and regional global academic community as it related to theCenter’s research focus, including hosting potential visitingresearchers, guest lecturers, and keeping up to date on latestresearch trends and conversations.
Support faculty’s independentresearch pursuits, through support of research, pd, etc. - Incertain circumstances, Center Directors lead a Directed Researchproject.
Outreach - Serve as primary spokesperson for the Center -Work with HQ staff to create and publish center specific marketingmaterials and campaigns - Actively seek out and participate inoutreach activities at the local, regional and national levels toentities such as universities, research organizations, businesses,agencies and community institutions - Represent SFS at relevantlocal and international conferences, seminars, and workshops - Atall times, work to ensure continued supportive relationships andstrong communication between the Center and its community andneighbors - Take part in, and occasionally lead community outreach,site upkeep projects, social and field activities Daily Center Life- Work flexible hours and live on site or nearby the field stationwith a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduatestudents - On a rotating basis, act as on-call "staff of the day" -Participation in all program activities - Drive standardtransmission vehicles and boats as needed - Adhere to, activelymodel and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures -Obtain Wilderness First Responder certificationprior tofirst day ofwork (SFS support and reimbursable available) Minimumqualifications : - Ph.
D. and university-level teaching experience inareas related to conservation and the environment. - Field researchand / or project implementation experience - Demonstrated ability towork as part of an interdisciplinary, international field team -Track record of research publications - Demonstrated commitment toenvironmental issues and student learning - Fluency in English andSpanish Preferred Qualifications : - Experience working in Peru orregion - Experience leading field courses - Experience working withUS undergraduate students - Experience with residential studentgroup management and risk management experience To Apply : Submit acover letter and resume outlining relevant experience via theonline application on the SFS Careers page at Applicants haverights under Federal Employment Laws : Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA) , Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) andEmployee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Equal OpportunityEmployer : SFS is committed to providing equal employmentopportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion,creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics,sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, nationalorigin or ancestry, ethnic origin, or veteran status.
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