Assistant Professor, School of Communication, Indigenous Communication

University of the Fraser Valley

Job Summary:
The School of Communication at UFV invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in Professional Communication with a specialization in Indigenous Communication. Our department emphasizes professional writing, speaking, and other communication practices. Our courses range from workplace communication to science communication to virtual team communication and more, focusing on real-world applications and current workplace practices and technologies. The successful candidate will teach core applied communication courses, as well as specialized courses in Indigenous communication.

While our primary focus for this position leans towards a specialization in Indigenous Communication, we welcome applications from candidates with a robust background in applied communication. We recognize the valuable contributions that a generalist in professional communication can bring to our department. Such candidates, with a solid grounding in various communication practices, applied communication, and an enthusiasm to engage with, learn about, and potentially contribute to the Indigenous Communication curriculum in the future, are encouraged to apply.

As a primarily teaching-oriented institution and department, we are seeking a collegial and energetic individual who has successful teaching experience at the undergraduate level and who communicates effectively with students; is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in and out of the classroom; is qualified to instruct across a range of the undergraduate courses offered by the department; and can develop innovative courses.  The candidate should expect to contribute to the department's strong commitment to Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation by taking a guiding role in curriculum discussion and design and participating in related institutional and department service.  Experience teaching international students is an asset; we are committed to supporting and engaging international students and the diverse classroom population at UFV.

Knowledge and interest in developing experiential learning opportunities for students, including working with local community agencies, are highly desirable. Demonstrable experience in technology-supported teaching (e.g. hybrid, on-line, and computer-assisted learning) and the ability to engage students in technology-enhanced learning is required. The successful candidate will show aptitude for working in team situations, interest in participating in innovative inter-disciplinary teaching, a collaborative approach to engaging in department business, and an active commitment to academic service.

In addition to mentoring students and fostering a vibrant environment within our communication programs and our broader community, the successful candidate will also be expected to maintain a program of scholarly activity or research which involves students, is related to professional communication, and/or is community-linked.  The connection between the candidate's active or projected scholarly activity (or professional practice) and Indigenous communication and/or pedagogy must be evident.  As a faculty member, the candidate will be expected to participate in an on-going process of professional development and to lead others to do so in their teaching and collegial service.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled communication practitioner and/or academic with experience covering Indigenous communication including Indigenous storytelling and communicating with and about Indigenous communities.

A PhD in Communication or a closely-related field, from a recognized post-secondary institution. Candidates with a Master’s degree in Communication or a closely-related field in combination with extensive applied work experience may be considered.
Extensive applied work experience that includes building and maintaining relations with Indigenous communities.
A minimum of two years of postsecondary teaching experience in Communication or a closely-related field.
Candidates with professional experience or interest in Indigenous communication will be preferred.
Extensive applied work experience that includes building and maintaining relations with Indigenous communities is preferred.
Experience teaching professional communication, which includes the fundamentals of applied writing, public speaking, and group and team communication is preferred.
Candidates should submit the following through the online application portal:

Cover letter
CV (please indicate eligibility to work legally in Canada)
Evidence of qualifications where appropriate
Statement of teaching philosophy
Recent student evaluations
Contact information for three referees
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide three letters of reference at time of interview.

Applications will begin to be reviewed January 19th, for an anticipated start date of August 1, 2024.

Application link: http://clients.njoyn.com/CL3/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=56144&page=jobdetails&jobid=J1023-1373&BRID=EX248578&SBDID=20985&LANG=1