Posting Number: R0007385
Location: Portland Campus
ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:
Willamette University, founded in 1842,
is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students
across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon
State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts
college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to
the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range
of professional graduate programs, including Oregon's top-ranked
MBA program, the Northwest's oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA
programs at PNCA and master's degrees in data science and computer
science.
Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive
benefits package to eligible employees. Our
Benefits Summary includes
options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial
paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying
for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette,
please contact our
HR Department,
[contact details available in the full listing] or call us at [contact details available in the full listing].
POSITION OVERVIEW
College Background
Pacific Northwest College of Art is the oldest professional art
& design college in Oregon. It began as the Portland Art Museum
school in 1909 and operated independently until its merger with
Willamette University in 2021. PNCA is now the second largest
college within the University. Willamette University provides
rigorous education in the liberal arts, arts & design, law and
management through its undergraduate and graduate programs and
lifelong learning programs. PNCA has approximately 550 students in
10 undergraduate and 5 graduate programs. PNCA sparks curiosity and
sharpens skills so students can build resilient creative careers
anchored in innovation, justice and civic imagination. In addition
to our academic programs we serve as a cultural "front porch"
bringing artists, designers, scholars and community partners
together through the
Center for
Contemporary Art + Culture where we showcase lectures,
talks, exhibits and events that connect Portlanders to art, design
and creative exploration.
Campus Community
PNCA's campus model is centered on a framework of wellness. We
believe artists, designers, writers, scholars must be connected,
healthy and collaborative in order to thrive. Our Academic
Wellness, Student Affairs, Office of International Education, Maker
Spaces and Career Design Center weave together with our teaching
faculty to support the whole student, fueling a campus that sparks
fierce collaborators, bold makers, and citizen
artist/designers.
Faculty at PNCA
The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty
members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative
activity, and service to the College and larger University,
profession and to the community. These responsibilities generally
include: developing and enhancing curriculum, advising students,
participation in campus and University-wide committees, maintaining
office hours, working collaboratively and productively with
colleagues, building external partnerships and industry
relationships, and maintaining a vibrant creative practice and
engagement with faculty and university governance. PNCA faculty are
engaged and active in the classroom, community and in
governance.
PNCA's commitment to Inclusion
We strive to create a safe and supportive environment that is
enriched by variety in voices, work, and perspectives. We know that
we are a better community of learners and educators when we have
space for a multiplicity of identities, worldviews and experiences.
Thus, broad inclusion at PNCA is crucial to our intellectual and
aesthetic inquiry. PNCA is a laboratory for critical reflection and
dialogue that nurtures better, more informed, more critically
engaged citizens while it educates emerging artists and
designers.
Position Summary
Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University (PNCA) is
seeking an energetic, inclusive, and committed educator. This
faculty member will teach courses, provide leadership in the
undergraduate Sculpture department, and contribute to the ongoing
development of the undergraduate Foundation and related programs at
the college.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach five courses annually with a focus on Sculpture,
Foundation, and related disciplines.
Mentor students and coordinate departmental visiting artists
and studio visits.
Maintain daily presence in 3D shops and labs, oversee the 3D
Shops and core staff.
Under the direction of the Dean & Sr. Associate Dean,
contribute to a 3D facilities program and facilities improvement
plan.
Lead departmental scheduling, curricular development as
necessary.
Convene 3D faculty and support professional development and
mentorship of part-time faculty, staff and student workers.
Participate in admissions recruitment, open houses, portfolio
reviews, and industry events as requested by the Dean and Sr.
Associate Dean.
Under the direction of the Assessment Coordinator, participate
in annual assessment planning.
Participate in required faculty professional development,
orientation and onboarding.
Maintain up to date syllabi, aligned with college learning
outcomes and minimum standards for Canvas, learning management
system.
Participate in holistic student care and case management
processes.
Keep up to date with professional and industry best practices
and maintain an external and active creative research
practice.
Participate in faculty governance and service to the
college.
Foster an inclusive, equitable and diverse learning
environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum
- MFA or equivalent professional experience with at least 5 years
of relevant higher education or formal community based teaching
experience.
- Evidence of an active professional practice within the field of
sculpture, craft/object based design, or product design.
- Evidence of experience managing and teaching design thinking,
design strategy and best practices.
- Demonstrated professional and safety qualifications with at
least three of the following areas: ceramics, metal, wood,
textiles, glass mold/casting, technique and fabrication.
- Demonstrated proficiency in computer-aided 3D design tools and
programs.
- Up to date safety and materials handling training and
certifications.
- Demonstrated experience in an inclusive teaching
environment.
- Experience managing fabrication shops or facilities and
supervising staff or volunteers within lab/shop context.
Preferred
- MFA, or equivalent terminal degree, in, art/design or
closely-related field from an accredited institution.
- Evidence of successful collegiate teaching or rigorous
community-based teaching experience in craft design, sculpture or
other 3D fabrication.
- Professional or applied experience in managing a studio,
freelance or small business practice related to designed objects,
product design, sculpture or sculptural installation.
- Experience with programs including Rhino, Autodesk Fusion 360,
Sketchup, and more
- Professional and/or teaching applied studio and career skills
such as project management and development, curatorial practice,
venture management or exhibition installation.
- Demonstrated skills in both digital and traditional
mediums.
- Evidence of advancements in their own field of professional
practice.
- Demonstrated professional networks in associated fields of
practice.
The successful candidate will be committed to the academic success
of all of our students and to an environment that acknowledges,
encourages, and celebrates differences. To this end, the successful
candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively
in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings. In addition, the
successful candidate will be ready to join faculty, staff,
students, and administrators in our university's shared commitment
to the principles of engagement, service, and the public
good.
Salary: Starting at $62,424 annually
To apply, please note that Workday limits material document
submissions. We ask that candidates follow instructions to ensure
effective material review. You will need to upload the
following documents as part of your application materials in the
"My Experience" section labeled Resume.
- Cover letter highlighting your interest and relevant teaching
experience (PDF)
- Professional resume/CV including hyperlinks to relevant
websites and/or professional social media (PDF)
- Portfolio showcasing 20 pieces of relevant creative work
including descriptions, dates, and media. (Single PDF containing
all 20 images)
- A statement of inclusive teaching and at least 5 examples of
selected student work, projects or sample assignments with
equivalent course information. (Single PDF containing all
materials)
Application review begins January 11, 2027.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a
criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not
automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of
conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the
position.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Please read the following carefully before beginning the online
application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette
University, please complete our online employment application. Your
application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of
the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you
are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you
will not be able to edit your application.
Apply online at https://willamette.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/willametteuniversityjobs/job/Portland-Campus/Assistant-Professor--Sculpture-and-3D-Practices_R0007385
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and
to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting
and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek
candidates, particularly those from historically under-represented
groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus
varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
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