Open Learning Faculty Member (Web): VCCR 1121: Animal Behaviour, Breeds and Handling - (03027.583)

Thompson Rivers University; Kamloops; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

The Open Learning Faculty Member (Web) at Thompson Rivers University will teach courses in Animal Behaviour, Breeds, and Handling. This role requires strong veterinary knowledge and teaching experience, with responsibilities that include engaging students online and providing robust feedback on their progress, ensuring a nurturing educational environment.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of hands-on clinical experience after graduation.
• Teaching experience at the post-secondary level, especially in online learning.
• Strong communication skills and a good understanding of animal breeds.

Responsibilities

• Encourage and support students toward success in academic studies.
• Mark assignments, provide feedback, and maintain regular contact with students.
• Teach topics related to animal behavior, breeds, and handling.

Skills

Teaching

Communication

Clinical Experience

Interdisciplinary Teamwork

Education

Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT)

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Job description

Open Learning Faculty Member (Web): VCCR 1121: Animal Behaviour, Breeds and Handling - (03027.583)

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Application Restrictions

Open to both Internal and external

Job Type

Open Learning Faculty Member

Posting In effect from

9/6/2025

Closing Application Date

16/6/2025

OLFM Type

Teaching Allocation Percentage (TAP)

50%

Anticipated Start Date

2/9/2025

Position End Date (If Applicable)

DUTIES

In this course students will learn about animal breeds and behaviour in large and small animals, plus pocket pets. Students will complete Fear Free training and learn general restraint techniques while learning to recognize animal signals of stress. Students will also learn basic anatomy and identification markers and will complete official documents as a Veterinary Client Care Receptionist.

Course Topics You'll Teach:

Animal Identification & Breeds

• Breed recognition: small animals, large animals, and pocket pets
• Methods of animal identification: microchipping, tattoos, branding, and registration
• Reading and interpreting animal body language
• Behavior in calm vs. stressful environments
• Fear Free handling techniques for:
  • Small animals
  • Birds (avian species)
  • Equines (horses)
• Basic anatomy related to restraint and behavior
• General animal restraint techniques for different species

Transport & Documentation

• Safely transporting:
  • Small animals in a clinic setting
  • Large animals, including for shipping
  • Deceased animals (clinic or off-site protocols)
• Completing official documents for:
  • International travel
  • Testing and health certificates (large and small animals)

Open Learning Faculty Members are teaching staff in the Open Learning division of TRU, and the role of the Open Learning Faculty Member is to actively encourage, support and guide students toward success in their academic studies. Open Learning Faculty Members must be skilled in teaching, fully knowledgeable of the subject matter and demonstrate a positive, open and caring attitude in all interaction with students.

Responsibilities of the Open Learning Faculty Member (Web) include but are not limited to:

• Administrative set up and record keeping
• Initiating and maintaining regular contact with the student as specified in the collective agreement
• Responding to all student queries by phone, e-mail or other method as appropriate within the time frame outlined in the collective agreement.
• Marking all assignments, posting results, and providing prompt feedback
• Marking exams and posting results

We anticipate up to 25 students in this course per year. These numbers are only estimates and actual numbers for the course may be greater or less than the estimated numbers.

QUALIFICATIONS

What you need to Apply:

• Be a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Have at least 5 years of hands-on clinical experience after graduation
• Maintain active and good standing membership in your provincial professional association
• Have teaching experience at the post-secondary level, especially with online and blended learning
• Be skilled in assessing student learning and progress, adjusting teaching approaches as needed
• Work well on interdisciplinary teams
• Show strong communication skills (written, verbal, digital)
• Have high-speed internet and your own equipment for online instruction
  • Completion of the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is an asset

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Passionate about animal care, welfare, and student success
• Comfortable teaching restraint techniques with multiple species
• Organized, collaborative, and adaptable
• Familiar with the latest industry practices and standards
• Completion of Fear Free (multiple species) Certification is mandatory
• Must have working knowledge of legal documentation for shipping animals internationally
• Good understanding of identification for large and small animals
• Anatomy knowledge and breed identification for multiple species is essential.

The Open Learning Faculty Member must:

• Be knowledgeable and experienced in the subject matter of the course
• Have received training or have successful experience in the active facilitation of learning in a collaborative online environment
• Have direct experience working with current educational technologies, tools and Learning Management Systems
• Have demonstrated knowledge of effective pedagogy in the use of current educational technology and tools
• Have demonstrated skills and abilities in the delivery of flexible learning materials, the application of instructional technology and in the application of adult learning principles

The pay for Open Learning Faculty Members varies based on several factors including the number of students in the course, the type of work, the type of course and the number of assessments completed by students in the course. The total pay includes amounts based on hourly rates as well as set dollar amounts for certain types of work. For more information, please refer to the TRU/TRUOLFA Collective Agreement: https://truolfa.ca/assets/documents/Collective Agreement-2022-2025- TRU-TRUOLFA.pdf

Pay Band

Location

BC CA (Primary)

Qualified TRUOLFA applicants will be given first consideration filling this post

# of Hires Needed

2

Organizational Unit

Thompson Rivers University -> Open Learning -> Program Delivery

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:

Thompson Rivers University is strongly committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.