Instructor(s), Community Planning and Professional Indigenous Lands Management

Vancouver Island University; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Island University seeks qualified instructors for its Master of Community Planning and Indigenous Lands Management program. The role involves teaching critical planning courses with an emphasis on community engagement, sustainability, and Indigenous land use. Candidates should have advanced degrees and a commitment to student success.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit plan

Paid holiday time

Professional development opportunities

Desirable pension plan

Well-being initiatives and services

Flexible work opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a Master's or Doctorate in urban/regional planning.
• Prior teaching experience preferred.
• Must demonstrate ability to support diverse learning styles.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver classes and assess student assignments.
• Collaborate with community and other instructors.
• Engage in various professional activities related to the discipline.

Skills

Collaboration

Responsiveness to diverse learning styles

Cultural competency

Education

Masters in urban/regional planning

Doctorate in a relevant discipline

Job description

Duties:

The Master of Community Planning Program at Vancouver Island University is seeking applicants who are qualified to instruct one course in Community Planning and one course in the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate (ILMC) program. Instructors are responsible for: Prepare and deliver classes, design and grade student assignments and tests, assess and evaluate student achievement, and will ensure that there is a high level of integration with other course offerings and the guiding principles of the program.

Community Planning focuses on: Small city and town planning, community engagement, rural/urban interface planning, First Nations land use and community planning (with attention to the issues relevant to the First Nations of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia), sustainable economic issues, and emerging issues such as the climate crisis. This intensive program combines research, applied learning, and interactions with the professional planning community to assist students in gaining the skills, abilities, and knowledge necessary to advance a successful career as a professional planner.

FALL 2025
PLAN 620: Topics in First Nations Land Use and Community Planning
An examination of the historic and current issues relevant to First Nations land use and community planning. Topics will vary by offering but will focus on subjects of significance to the profession and practice.

September 2 to December 5, 2025
Delivery mode: Face-to-Face
T 09:30-12:00
Nanaimo Campus

Additional information is available on the Master of Community Planning website.

The Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate (ILMC) will appeal to individuals who are interested in Indigenous lands management, land use planning, community planning, or other topic areas relating to Indigenous communities, issues of sustainability, resource management, and a changing regulatory landscape

Fall 2025
IMLC 100: Community and Indigenous Lands Planning
An examination of historic and current issues relevant to Indigenous land use and community planning. This includes Indigenous Treaty Rights and Title, historic and modern treaty issues, and evolving trends in planning.

September 8 to 19, 2025
Delivery mode: online (The successful candidate will be expected to teach in an online format on MS Teams)
MTWRF 09:00-12:00 (runs everyday for two weeks)

Additional information is available on the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate website.

Candidates must demonstrate commitment to teaching, learning and student success through scholarship and institutional service. Successful candidates will participate in a wide range of activities outside the classroom, including student support; institutional, faculty and departmental committee meetings and other initiatives; and professional activities in keeping with their disciplines in and outside the institution.

Applicants are asked to identify which course(s) they are applying to teach in their cover letter.

Required Qualifications:

Masters and/or a doctorate in urban/regional planning from an appropriately accredited institution. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Prior experience teaching related courses
• Previous work in related fields
• Responsiveness to diverse learning styles and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other instructors and the wider community

Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in a relevant discipline from an appropriately accredited institution
• Subject matter expertise in Indigenous lands and community planning
• Cross-cultural competencies
• Successful career in a related field
• Membership (or demonstrated eligibility for membership) in the Canadian Institute of Planners is not required but is preferred

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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