Job Summary

The Department of Planning, Geography and Environmental Studies (PGES) creates collaborative opportunities for students and community organizations to explore the geography of natural and human environments and plan a resilient future. PGES offers Majors in BA Geography, Community & Regional Planning, Environmental Studies and an Associate Certificate in Applied GIS. The Department requires Limited Term Faculty for the 2026-2027 academic year to teach courses in the field of Planning, Geography and Environmental Studies. Read more about the courses here: https://www.ufv.ca/calendar/current/CourseDescriptions/GEOG.htm.

We are looking for an instructor of Community Planning with an interest in sustainable development and Indigenous community design. The successful applicant will join a thriving faculty that supports programs in Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, and Geographic Information Systems. PGES has an accredited Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning degree program. The successful candidate will help to grow the new planning program and also contribute to human geography curriculum development and teaching. Depending on expertise of the successful candidate and the program requirements, possible courses he/she/they might teach include GEOG 130 Geography of Canada, GEOG/PLAN 160 Settlements, GEOG 241 Social Geography: The Urban Experience, GEOG 355 GIS for the Built Environment, GEOG 252 Quantitative Methods in Geography, PLAN 310 Planning Law and PLAN 410 Indigenous Land Use and Community Planning.

The successful candidate will teach courses at all undergraduate levels and supervise undergraduate research students using studio, applied practicum, and independent-study courses. The ability to use Geographic Information Systems to support land-use planning is an needed, as is experience with community outreach in urbanized regions with rapidly growing population. Most courses incorporate classroom activities (e.g., lectures, discussions, and tutorials) on the Abbotsford campus with local field trips possible, and in some cases necessary to deliver the learning objectives of the course. The Fraser Valley is an actively growing multicultural region with a strong agricultural economy and abundant natural resources. As such, it provides ample opportunity for student projects that engage local communities and resources. For online instruction, UFV uses Brightspace for its learning platform along with Zoom and other applications. Refer to the Teaching and Learning Centre website for more information about how UFV supports innovative pedagogies. https://www.ufv.ca/teaching-and-learning/

The primary role of this position is to teach, but the successful applicant is also expected to contribute service to the school and may support student research. Student research is typically supervised through independent study courses and City Studio projects.

Duties of Limited Term faculty fall within Article 18.2 (Teaching Faculty Duties) of the Collective Agreement, specifically the Teaching and Service components. https://www.ufv.ca/media/assets/human-resources/publications/UFV-collective-agreement.pdf

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have a minimum qualification of Masters degree in Geography, Planning, or a related discipline along with a record of excellence in teaching. As well, applicants with PhD are preferred. Additionally a Registered Professional Planning designation with Canadian Institute of Planners or candidate is required. Applicants from diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

For more information:
Please contact:
Dr. Afia Raja at afia.raja@ufv.ca
Department Head, Planning, Geography and Environmental Studies

How to Apply

Applications must include a letter of intent to apply, a curriculum vitae, two letters of reference, and a statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the classroom. Applicants considered for an interview will be asked to provide recent teaching evaluations. Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a criminal record check. Please submit your application by the posting deadline.

About UFV

The University of the Fraser Valley is located on the traditional territory of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. We express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in Stó:lo Tém:éxw (Stó:lo Land; Stó:lo World). In all that we do, UFV strives to support and honour the Stó:lo peoples goals of self-determination and well-being on these lands. A commitment to Indigenization and Reconciliation is core to our institutional Vision and Integrated Strategic Plan: IYAQAWTXW — which means House of Transformation. This commitment includes the goal of centering Indigenous ways of knowing throughout our organization, recognizing our responsibilities to community, and a multi-year plan to increase the number of Indigenous faculty, staff, and administrators working at UFV.

UFV has four campus locations within the beautiful Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Recognized as one of BC's top employers, UFV offers a combination of career and lifestyle benefits. Join a team of 1,400 passionate professionals who value integrity, inclusivity and excellence. At UFV, you will serve a vibrant community, and shape the future of 15,000 students.

Indigenization, equity, and diversity are essential to our work as a university. A diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented and marginalized. At UFV, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we proudly serve. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, members of groups that experience discrimination due to race, colour, place of origin, ancestry, and/or religion, persons who identify as women and 2SLGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. We invite applicants to complete a confidential self-identification survey as part of the application process. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. Information will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the recruitment process, and results are not shared with the selection committee. Inquiries about the survey may be directed to careers@ufv.ca. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In an effort to be both environmentally and fiscally responsible, UFV will contact only candidates receiving an interview. We thank all applicants for considering UFV for employment. Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/ or a verification of their education credentials.

UFV is committed to the principle of equity in employment.

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Instructor, Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies