Natural Resources Job Board

Apply at: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/btc/jobs/4939221/fisheries-aquaculture-sciences-instructor?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Description

Bellingham Technical College (BTC) invites applications for one full-time annualized position as a Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences Annualized Instructor. This position reports to the Dean of Professional Technical Education and will begin in September 2025.
 
The position follows the academic calendar, with program courses offered from September to June. The Perry Center for Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences typically operates Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Evening and online instruction may be required elements of the position. Some weekend work may also be required. A supplemental contract for additional days in the summer may be issued. This position will also require schedule flexibility during off-hours for hatchery related business and emergencies.

The Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences program prepares students for employment in a variety of “blue economy” jobs through three training pathways- Aquatic Science, Aquaculture Science, and Fisheries Science. The faculty team collaboratively teaches core program courses such as: Environmental Science, Aquatic Chemistry, Oceanography, Organismal Biology, Animal Genetics, Research Methods, Data Analysis, and GIS. Each faculty member also teaches a series of specialized courses to support the Aquaculture and Fisheries training pathways. Specialized courses for Aquaculture include courses such as Principles of Aquaculture, Aquaculture Management, Finfish and Shellfish Culture Practicums, Hatchery Production, Farm Production, Stock Enhancement, and Aquaponics. Specialized courses for Fisheries include courses such as Principles of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Conservation, Fisheries Ecology, and Principles of Field Sampling. 

The program operates the Whatcom Creek Hatchery at the Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham, the Bellingham Hatchery at Whatcom Falls Park, and during certain times of the year, also assists with hatchery operations at the Samish Hatchery in Burlington, WA, Lake Whatcom Hatchery in Sedro-Woolley, WA, and the Kendall Creek Hatchery in Deming, WA. Hatchery operations for fish and shellfish production are overseen by faculty members and supported by the Hatchery Operations Specialist, along with the program’s student body. The program also conducts field training throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties, including shellfish farming, tidal and estuary/coastal surveys, and freshwater surveys. 

The teaching schedule will vary based on student, hatchery, and college needs and is expected to include instructional strategies that use hybrid and online techniques, along with in-person demos and labs. Instruction will include place-based learning through hatchery and field projects, in addition to individual course labs. Instructors are responsible for planning, teaching, and managing student learning in all assigned portions of the program including classroom, field, hatchery, and lab according to approved course study, state guidelines, program accreditation standards, and advisory committee recommendations. The instructor needs strong positive interpersonal skills, the ability to work closely with other instructors, and good computer and internet skills. 

BTC is a premier higher education institution working to provide student-centered, high quality professional technical education throughout Whatcom County and is the only technical college serving northwest Washington State. The College is uniquely positioned to offer exceptional training and educational opportunities to area residents and employers. Founded in 1957 as Bellingham Vocational Institute, it has continued to offer high-quality education in a supportive, student-first environment. BTC has been serving its region with workforce education degrees and certificates to approximately 6,000 students per year. The college provides professional technical programs and courses, adult basic education, English Language Acquisition programs, academic courses, community education, a few direct transfer degree opportunities, and two Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees. BTC works closely with regional employers and other partners to develop programs and train students to fill regional workforce demands and support economic development.
 
BTC is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming campus that supports diversity, promotes a sense of community, provides an effective work and learning environment, and encourages respect for individuals. As an Equal Opportunity employer, BTC values diversity and aims to recruit employees that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a successful and supportive learning environment for a diverse student and employee population with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

New instructors must complete industrial first aid/CPR and maintain vocational certification as required by the Washington State Law and Bellingham Technical College rules.
Preferred Qualifications:

Physical & Work Environment
Requires being mobile and standing for long periods of time; walking, stooping, bending and lifting; manual dexterity; repeated pushing, pulling and lifting of 50 or more pounds; bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and squatting; reaching below knees, knees to shoulders, above shoulder; working on uneven surfaces; work both indoors and outdoors, often in inclement weather conditions and extreme ambient temperatures (heat or cold); ability to work while standing in cold water (pond and streams) wearing waders, personal floatation device (PFD), and rain gear; ability to swim in deep and/or swift moving water; work from heights as high as 25 feet and utilize ladders. Also requires working at a computer several hours a week.

Salary, Benefits & Work Schedule:
Base salary range is typically $71,546 to $89,538 for an applicant with minimal levels of teaching and education experience and is based on a typical teaching schedule of 10 months, September through June, 173 days. High end of range is $78,209-$108,318 for those with previous related teaching experience and advanced educational degrees.  Final placement is determined according to the current negotiated working agreement and based on an evaluation of work and/or teaching experience. Additional optional compensation may be paid above the 173-day contract rate subject to terms of the collective bargaining agreement.   Additional summer contract and compensation would be paid for summer quarter if program is in session and an assignment is available. Additional compensation includes up to $4,000 for doctoral stipend; access to professional development pool. This is not guaranteed year to year and is subject to legislation and Collective Bargaining. The work schedule will vary based on student and college needs.  Some evening hours are expected.
 
These position(s) receive 90 hours of frontloaded sick leave per academic year (based on 7.5 hours per month), 2 non-cumulative personal leave days per academic year, and 3 non-cumulative family illness days per academic year.  Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability; a retirement benefits package, with choice between the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 3 or the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) 401A plan TIAA.  Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in a medical Flexible Spending plan, Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan, or Health Savings Account; Dependent Care Assistance; discounts for automobile and homeowner insurance, tuition waiver; two voluntary investment (not matched) programs - TIAA (403b) or the State Deferred Compensation (457) plan.   Employee Assistance Program (EAP); up to 21 days of military leave; up to 5 days of paid bereavement leave; up to 5 days of parental/adoption leave; paid civil/jury duty, ability to participate in a shared leave program; up to 2 days of unpaid holiday for reasons of faith or conscience; opportunity for sabbatical leave and stipend.

NOTE: Benefits and compensation are subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with Bellingham Educational Association (BEA).   Current BEA CBA and benefits are for period of July 1, 2022-June 30, 2025. 
 
Other Employment Information:
This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Association (BEA).

Background Check:  
 Prior to final hire, a pre-employment background, including criminal history and signed declaration statement as it pertains to sexual misconduct per Washington State Law (RCW 28B.112.080) will be conducted. Employment is contingent on passing the background check and signed declaration per RCW 28b.112.080 satisfactory to the college. Information from the background check and declaration will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.  This position has access to children under the age of 18 as part of the State of Washington Running Start Program.
 
Application Procedures and Deadline:
Required application materials must be submitted on-line at www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. PST on 6/30/25, for priority consideration. Application materials received after this may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources office at 360 752-8354. BTC is not currently sponsoring H-1B Visa's.
 
Required Online Application Materials: (Prefer Word or PDF file for required attachments).  Incomplete applications, including missing attachment will not be considered.

First interviews are expected to be online during the week of July 15, 2025. Applicants selected for initial interviews will be expected to provide teaching demonstrations as part of the interview process.