Oh, To Be Working Here Again! It Could Be You: Santa Barbara City College

This might seem a bit of a long narrative describing a job opening in the earth sciences, but this one has a special resonance with me. To the extent that I have had any success as a teacher of geology, I owe much to the Earth and Planetary Sciences department at Santa Barbara City College in southern California. My first job out of graduate school back in 1984 was that of a laboratory teaching assistant at SBCC. Despite the term "assistant", it was a full-time teaching gig, with the responsibility for six or seven labs every semester as well as working with their numerous field studies courses. As time went on, I was given a number of courses to teach. The experience has served me well for the past 28 years.

There was a culture of excellence at SBCC that continues to this day. Students emerge from the program with skills equivalent to 3rd and even 4th year baccalaureate scholars, including excellent field mapping and research skills. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of the flagship programs among community colleges in the American west.

With that background in mind, check out this job opening in the department. It's an incredible place to teach. We had a beach processes lab at the base of the hill, a fault scarp running through part of the campus, and some marvelous field exposures in the hills above campus. The facilities on campus are excellent. They run multi-day field studies courses in Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, and summer courses across the western United States. They also have an extended field methods class that is conducted in the Mt. Pinos area and the Cuyama Badlands.
Although I haven't worked there in years, I know the department has continued their tradition of excellence. Information at https://jobs.sbcc.edu/postings/1785. The application deadline is February 6, 2017.

Teaching and Scholarship Opportunities in California

From Teaching the Earth Sciences:

It's actually been awhile since I've seen any full-time teaching opportunities in the geology or earth science listings of the CCC Registry. This week there are actually two of them, for Bakersfield College and Santa Monica College. There are now a total of four positions open in the California Community College System (Info on openings at Mt. San Antonio College and Santa Barbara City College was posted earlier). Some of the application deadlines are approaching quickly.

And also from Teaching the Earth Sciences:

NAGT Scholarships for Field Study

NAGT offers $500 scholarships for students to attend field-based courses at any time of the year. In addition, the Association of Women Geologists sponsors two additional scholarships specifically for women in this program. Please pass this information along to students who may be interested in doing field courses. More information and the application instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html
Application Deadline: February 14
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Outstanding Earth Science Teachers (OEST) Program

OEST awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award. More information and the nomination instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/oest.html
Application Deadlines vary by Section but begin as early as March 1
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Geoscience Teachers in the Park

The Geoscience Teachers in Parks (GTIP) program is a collaborative effort between NAGT and the National Park Service to provide professional development for K12 teachers of geoscience. Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers of geoscience, as well as recent graduates who are prospective geoscience teachers are eligible to take part in this program. The internship involves work at the Mammoth Cave National Park to learn from and collaborate with park personnel, local university staff, contracted researchers, and park partners. More information and the application instructions can be found on the program website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/GTIP.html
Application Deadline: March 15

Full-Time Tenure Track Geology Teaching Position at Santa Barbara City College

(Cross-posted from Teaching the Earth Sciences)
It's something to think about...two retirees with about 80 years of geology experience between them. That's the story at Santa Barbara City College this year. I noted a few weeks ago that a geology technician position was available at SBCC (application deadline is December 30). Now they have announced an opening for a full-time tenure-track position for a geology instructor. The department at SBCC has a strong tradition of field instruction, excellence in teaching, and community involvement. I deeply appreciated the four years I spent with the department in the 1980's. Deadline for the teaching position is February 3. Details of the position can be found at this link, and are listed below the fold...