Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) – Native American/Indigenous Law & Policy
The property
POSITION SUMMARY
The School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) at Washington State University invites applications for a permanent, full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Pullman, WA, with a specialty in Native American/Indigenous Law and Policy. We seek applicants who conduct research related to tribal sovereignty broadly, using the lens of the law and public policy. Research might address how attitudes about Indigenous Peoples inform and influence law and policies that affect Indigenous and Native American nations, the social and political consequences of tensions between Native legal institutions and state and federal courts, or how an understanding of the law might help address the inequities that exist in Native American and other Indigenous communities.
WSU is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community. The university recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. Towards continually strengthening this commitment, we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and/or service has prepared them to be an integral contributor to the continued advancement of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access here at WSU.
This position is part of a faculty cluster hire initiative in the scholarship and teaching about racism and social inequality in the Americas, with a particular focus this year on Native American/Indigenous communities. The university is particularly interested in hiring scholars who are deeply connected to and integrated into the communities that they study, as a means to build on our strong tradition of engaged and applied scholarship at WSU.
It is anticipated that the successful candidate will begin the appointment on August 16, 2023.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
Developing and maintaining a productive program of scholarship (which may be multi-disciplinary, appear in non-traditional or specialized venues, share authorship with non-academic or community partners, or speak to teaching), seeking appropriate grant funding, mentoring graduate student research, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on topics in the law, policy and Native American/Indigenous studies, collaborating with members of other departments and programs (e.g., WSU’s Center for Native American Research and Collaboration (CNRC); https://native.wsu.edu/cnrc/), and participating in meaningful community engagement.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Earned doctoral degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, Legal Studies or a related field or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) by August 15, 2023
- Demonstrated record of or potential for scholarship that addresses Native American/Indigenous law and policy
- Proven or potential for successful teaching and instruction
- Demonstrated commitment to campus diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Significant engagement with the communities involved in their research
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to teach courses such as Judicial Process, Civil Liberties and U.S. Constitution
- Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with internal and external constituencies that represent diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
ABOUT WSU, PULLMAN, CAS & PPPA
Washington State University is a land-grant, multiple-campus Research 1 institution. This position will be on the Pullman campus, which has an enrollment of around 20,000 students and is located in Southeastern Washington on the homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. Located 80 miles south of metropolitan Spokane, Pullman is also a quick drive away from the scenic Idaho panhandle and Moscow Mountain. The rolling hills of the Palouse offer a wide range of activities and a true four-season climate. The area provides ample opportunity to enjoy the cultural and academic hub of both Washington State University and the University of Idaho, in the neighboring town of Moscow, Idaho. For more information about the region, please see https://pullmanchamber.com
Encompassing more than 30 departments, schools, and research institutes on five campuses statewide, the College of Arts & Sciences is the heart of WSU. Together our 730+ faculty and staff deliver more than 50% of WSU’s total undergraduate and graduate instruction, including the vast majority of WSU’s core curriculum. We also drive annual research expenditures of more than $26 million, with wide interdisciplinary strengths in public and community health, environmental change, equity and social justice, and data and technology at the boundaries. As Arts & Sciences begins its 10th anniversary as a unified college, we seek to lead a reimagining of WSU’s land-grant mission for the 21st century, expanding the boundaries of creativity and discovery while simultaneously recognizing more completely our obligations to Native and Indigenous peoples. For more about the College of Arts & Sciences at WSU, please see https://cas.wsu.edu
The School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs has approximately 300 undergraduate majors and approximately 30 graduate students in Political Science. Detailed information about faculty and programs in the School appears at https://pppa.wsu.edu. For more information on the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University, see https://cas.wsu.edu/.
WSU acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native American peoples, who have lived in this region and have been caretakers of the land from time immemorial. The Morrill Act of 1862 established our land-grant institution by providing public and federal lands that are traced back to the disposition of Indigenous lands, often taken by coercive and violent acts, and the disregard of treaties. For that, we extend our deepest apologies. We owe our deepest gratitude to the Native peoples of this region and maintain our commitment towards reconciliation. And as a land-grant institution, WSU is deeply committed to the land-grant mission, its Memorandums of Understanding with Native tribes in the region, and a tradition of service to society. To read the full WSU land acknowledgement, please see https://wsu.edu/about/wsu-land-acknowledgement/
Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
WSU is committed to excellence through diversity and faculty-friendly policy action, including partner accommodation and NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation programs (http://www.advance.wsu.edu/). WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Area/College: College of Arts and Sciences
Department Name: School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA)
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: pppa.wsu.edu/
Salary Range: $75,000 - $78,000
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf. Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.
This is a permanent position.
SCREENING BEGIN DATE
Formal screening of applications will begin March 15, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECK
This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Application Instructions: Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application.
Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Steven Stehr, Chair, Native American/Indigenous Law and Policy Faculty Search Committee, at [email protected]
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- A cover letter addressing qualifications for this position
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching portfolio that includes a statement of teaching philosophy and other indicators of teaching success such as quantitative evaluations and peer reviews
- Research statement
- Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement
- Names, addresses, and contact information of at least three references who can address your history of and potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service (letters will be requested at a later time)
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].