Career Center

The Latino/a and Latin American Studies Department at Occidental College invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise on Central America (20th & 21st centuries) to begin Fall 2024.

Position

The Latino/a and Latin American Studies Department at Occidental College invites applicants trained in a social science for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. Candidates must have expertise in Central America (20th & 21st centuries). The successful candidate will have the demonstrated expertise to teach classes on i) the major social-economic and political dynamics of Central American countries (20th and 21st c); ii) a yearly (or by-yearly) class on qualitative social science methods; iii) one or two yearly classes in the College’s First Year Seminar program. It would be ideal (but not a requirement) if the successful candidate could also teach a class on iv) the de facto refugee experiences of Central Americans in the U.S. (or in transit). In addition to teaching five classes per year, the successful candidate is expected to advise students, carry out research, and provide departmental and college wide service. You will also be responsible for producing scholarship commensurate with the requirements for tenure and promotion. Occidental College is committed to academic excellence in a diverse community and strongly encourages applications from candidates committed to the College’s mission of equity, excellence, community, and service.  

Expected Salary Range:  $84,500- $96,000

Application Submission Materials 

You must submit a complete application package electronically to be considered. To apply, please visit  apply.interfolio.com/129357

• Cover Letter in which you respond to the required qualifications 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Research Statement 
• Teaching Philosophy Statement 
• Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Statement: This statement provides your unique perspective on your past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in your professional career. This should include your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable opportunities for learning and mentoring especially for students from  marginalized and minoritized groups. The purpose of this statement is to help the department identify candidates who have professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to engage in activities that could help the College contribute to its mission in these areas. 
• List of three references with relevant contact information. If you advance to the finalist phase, you will be asked to have each of your three references submit a letter of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit should you move forward to this phase of the search. Do not submit these letters with your initial application. 

Please direct all questions about the position to: Dolores Trevizo dtrevizo@oxy.edu

Application Deadline 

To be assured full consideration, your application materials must be received by November 1, 2023.  

The Latino/a and Latin American Studies (LLAS) major offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the societies and cultures of Latin America and the Latino and Chicano experience in the United States. By extending the study of ‘Latin America’ beyond the geopolitical borders of the region to include the Caribbean and the United States, the major emphasizes the importance of migrations, interethnic interactions, and cultural exchanges of Indigenous, European, African, and Asian peoples throughout the Americas. The LLAS program engages students with a variety of perspectives on the socio-political complexities and cultural traditions of the Americas, and the historical development of unique regional societies and cultures. The transnational perspective of our curriculum distinguishes the LLAS major from more traditional area studies programs.

Occidental College is committed to academic excellence in a diverse community and to supporting interdisciplinary and multicultural academic programs that provide a gifted and diverse group of students with an educational experience that prepares them for leadership in a pluralistic world. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who will further Occidental’s mission of excellence and equity in their teaching, scholarship, and service. 

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Moving expense reimbursement (up to $5000, taxable according to current IRS regulations), start-up funds, and a one-course  reduction of teaching load in the first year are provided. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://www.oxy.edu/offices-services/human-resources/benefits-information.  

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. 

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact HumanResources (hr@oxy.edu).

Required Qualifications 

• Applicants should have training and expertise in relevant areas of Politics, or International Relations, Sociology or Latin American Studies, and should hold a PhD at the time of appointment.  
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching.  
• A strong record of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to the level of appointment 
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized social  groups. 
• Potential for balance teaching, scholarship and service