Geology and Earth Systems Science Faculty (Tenure Track)

The Evergreen State College Portal • Olympia, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We seek a broadly trained Earth scientist committed to field-based undergraduate education. The successful candidate will engage students directly with the landscapes, watersheds, and geologic history of the Pacific Northwest through local and extended field experiences. Areas of expertise may include geology, hydrology, geomorphology, climate science, Earth surface processes, environmental geochemistry, or related fields. Evergreen’s location provides exceptional opportunities for field-based teaching and research, with access to volcanic landscapes, mountain watersheds, glacial landforms, river systems, coastlines, estuaries, and diverse ecosystems. The successful candidate will teach introductory and advanced Earth systems science through interdisciplinary programs that emphasize observation, field methods, quantitative analysis, and scientific inquiry. They will help students understand the interactions among Earth’s physical processes, climate, water, landscapes, ecosystems, and human activities, including how these systems respond to natural variability and climate change. The successful candidate will lead field experiences ranging from local day trips to extended excursions throughout the Pacific Northwest and engage undergraduate students in original research through field, laboratory, and community-based projects that foster scientific inquiry and collaborative scholarship. Committed to interdisciplinary education, The Evergreen State College values faculty who teach across traditional disciplinary boundaries. This position offers opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in environmental studies, ecology, oceanography, arts, humanities, and other fields to create innovative undergraduate programs. Experience with GIS , spatial analysis, remote sensing, quantitative methods, or related analytical approaches is desirable. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate education, field-based learning, and inclusive teaching practices. Regular is equivalent to tenure-track at other colleges. A complete description of the continuing contract and conversion process can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, article 11 . Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Employment-based visa sponsorship may be considered depending on the candidate’s current immigration status; however, the College is unable, at this time, to sponsor new H1B petitions that could potentially incur the $100,000 fee announced in September 2025.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Earth science, geology, hydrology, geomorphology, climate science, physical geography, environmental geochemistry, or a closely related field.
• Expertise in one or more areas of Earth systems science.
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and mentoring.
• Demonstrated commitment to field-based learning.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading field courses or extended field programs.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines, connecting Earth systems science with social, cultural, policy, or community dimensions of environmental issues.
• Proficiency with GIS , spatial analysis, remote sensing, quantitative methods, or related analytical approaches.
• Experience working effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Engage students directly with the landscapes, watersheds, and geologic history of the Pacific Northwest through local and extended field experiences.
• Teach introductory and advanced Earth systems science through interdisciplinary programs that emphasize observation, field methods, quantitative analysis, and scientific inquiry.
• Help students understand the interactions among Earth’s physical processes, climate, water, landscapes, ecosystems, and human activities, including how these systems respond to natural variability and climate change.
• Lead field experiences ranging from local day trips to extended excursions throughout the Pacific Northwest.
• Engage undergraduate students in original research through field, laboratory, and community-based projects that foster scientific inquiry and collaborative scholarship.
• Collaborate with colleagues in environmental studies, ecology, oceanography, arts, humanities, and other fields to create innovative undergraduate programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree