Liberal Studies/Visual Sovereignty Instructor

Department

Academic Affairs

Personnel Definition

Faculty, Regular Full-Time (Position may be performed In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote, subject to institutional needs and approval by the President

Term of Employment

20 pay periods

FLSA

Exempt

Supervision Received

The levels of supervision received (chain of command) are:

● Liberal Arts Division Chair

● Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services

● President

Supervision Exercised

● None

General Statement of Duties

Under the supervision of the Liberal Studies Division Chair, the Liberal Studies/Visual Sovereignty Instructor primarily teaches and directs the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program while also teaching Liberal Studies and General Core courses as assigned. The instructor supports student learning through instruction, advising, curriculum development, assessment, and committee service. This position contributes to the mission of Blackfeet Community College by supporting student success, maintaining instructional quality, strengthening the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program, and engaging with the college and community to support Liberal Studies and General Education offerings. This position may be performed in an in-person, hybrid, or remote work arrangement as approved by Blackfeet Community College. Regardless of work location, the instructor is responsible for maintaining instructional quality, student engagement, availability during scheduled office hours, participation in required meetings and institutional activities, compliance with BFCC policies and procedures, and fulfillment of all teaching, advising, assessment, and reporting responsibilities.

Specific Area of Duties

● Teach a minimum of 12 credits per semester, as assigned, with primary instructional responsibility for the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program and additional teaching in Liberal Studies and General Core courses as needed to support student progress toward certificates and associate degrees in accordance with published BFCC catalogs.

● Provide primary instructional and program leadership for the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program, including coordination of curriculum, course sequencing, student projects, capstone work, community-facing activities, and program development.

● Teach core Visual Sovereignty courses in areas such as Indigenous media theory, visual sovereignty, story development, screenwriting, documentary and narrative filmmaking, photography, media production, and capstone studio work.

● Prepare and teach assigned Liberal Studies, General Core, and Visual Sovereignty courses using effective instructional methods appropriate for diverse, Indigenous, first-generation, and non-traditional learners.

● Develop, maintain, and revise Visual Sovereignty course syllabi, assignments, assessment tools, learning outcomes, instructional materials, course outlines, and related curriculum documents in alignment with program goals and institutional requirements.

● Coordinate the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program curriculum, including the integration of existing BFCC courses and new Visual Sovereignty courses into a coherent student pathway.

● Support students in developing original documentary, narrative film, photography, family history, oral history, and other media projects grounded in Indigenous storytelling practices.

● Oversee student capstone projects, including project development, production planning, completion, public presentation, community-facing screenings, and assessment of final student work.

● Mentor students individually and in cohorts in storytelling, media production, professional conduct, project development, pitching, and preparation for external creative, academic, or professional opportunities.

● Support students in documenting family histories, oral narratives, community stories, language, traditions, and lived experiences through visual media and culturally grounded storytelling practices.

● Teach and model ethical storytelling practices, including informed consent, relational accountability, cultural protocols, community accountability, and appropriate handling of culturally sensitive materials.

● Maintain accurate and timely instructional records, including attendance, grades, course materials, student project documentation, assessment records, and other required documentation.

● Submit grades, attendance, reports, assessment materials, program documentation, and other required records by institutional deadlines.

● Participate in the advising process for students pursuing the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement, the Associate Degree in Liberal Studies, and General Core coursework. Advising responsibilities include being available during pre-registration and regular registration, maintaining regular office hours, maintaining contact with students throughout the semester, assisting with education plans and advising records, and referring students with identified special needs to appropriate student support personnel for follow-up.

● Assist the Division Chair in curriculum development, program improvement, assessment, and review of Liberal Studies, General Core, and Visual Sovereignty courses relevant to transfer, articulation, workforce development, and future certificate or degree pathways.

● Collaborate with Blackfeet cultural leaders, Elders, community partners, tribal programs, local organizations, schools, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to support community-engaged learning and culturally accountable media production.

● Coordinate or support community screenings, public presentations, workshops, student showcases, and other events that highlight student work and strengthen intergenerational knowledge-sharing.

● Maintain and strengthen partnerships related to the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program, including coordination with Indigenous media organizations, professional mentors, and industry partners where appropriate.

● Support the BFCC–Native American Media Alliance partnership, where applicable, by helping align student preparation, coursework, mentorship, and professional development activities with Indigenous media industry expectations.

● Assist students in preparing for professional pathways, including festivals, fellowships, media labs, transfer opportunities, graduate study, entrepreneurial work, and careers in media, communications, education, cultural preservation, and creative industries.

● Support student participation in regional or national Indigenous media events, screenings, workshops, festivals, and educational travel opportunities when institutionally approved and funded.

● Assist with grant development, grant reporting, program evaluation, and sustainability planning related to the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program, student participation, equipment, workshops, partnerships, community programming, and future program expansion.

● Participate in student learning outcomes assessment, program review, accreditation-related work, and other institutional effectiveness activities, including providing required documentation and reports for Liberal Studies, General Core, and Visual Sovereignty courses and programs.

● Conduct ongoing assessment, refinement, and reporting on the effectiveness of the Visual Sovereignty Endorsement Program, including student learning outcomes, program goals, retention, completion, community impact, and post-endorsement pathways.

● Administer or facilitate student course evaluations each semester in accordance with college procedures.

● Serve on college committees and participate in special projects, ad hoc committees, division meetings, faculty meetings, curriculum work, accreditation activities, and other institutional activities as assigned or required.

● Participate in professional development activities that support instructional effectiveness, Indigenous media education, curriculum quality, community-engaged teaching, student success, and program leadership.

● Promote Blackfeet Community College as a regional leader in Indigenous media education by supporting culturally grounded instruction, student creative work, community engagement, and professional media pathways.

● Perform other related duties as assigned in support of BFCC's mission and operations.

● Other duties necessary to the function of BCC, as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in Film Studies, Media Studies, Indigenous Studies, Liberal Studies, English, Communication, Visual Arts, Education, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated experience in filmmaking, screenwriting, photography, media production, visual storytelling, Indigenous media, or related creative disciplines.

College-level teaching experience preferred; experience teaching Indigenous, first-generation, non-traditional, or diverse student populations strongly preferred.

Knowledge of Visual Sovereignty, Indigenous representation, cultural protocols, ethical storytelling, and community-engaged teaching practices.

Experience with curriculum development, student advising, assessment, and program coordination preferred.

Ability to build partnerships with community members, Elders, cultural leaders, schools, tribal programs, media organizations, and industry partners.

Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, and demonstrated expertise in Indigenous media and storytelling may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Knowledge Required:

● Curriculum development

● Knowledge of a variety of teaching methods

● Organizing, coordinating, planning, and teaching required courses

● Knowledge of Native American learning and teaching styles

● Knowledge of Blackfeet tribal, historical, and cultural ways and means

● Knowledge of Tribally Controlled Community Colleges

Skills Required:

● Organizing, coordinating, planning, and teaching required courses

● Knowledge of oral and written communications

● Strong teaching skills

● Excellent motivation and instructional skills in a diverse and non-traditional environment.

Complexity

This person is required to have an extensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and ethics of instruction, particularly with Native Americans and adult and higher education. The person needs a working knowledge of research techniques and curriculum development.

Personal Contacts

Has contact with personnel in all departments, students, Board of Trustees, Blackfeet Tribal departments and programs staff, and other related entities and persons that are necessary to contact to conduct day-to-day business operations of the __________ Department.

Physical Demands

Work may be performed in a traditional classroom, office setting, remote environment, or a combination thereof. The employee must be able to effectively perform instructional, advising, assessment, and communication duties using approved technology platforms. Travel to campus may be required for meetings, professional development, student activities, commencement, accreditation activities, faculty meetings, committee work, or other institutional functions as determined by the College.

Guidelines

This position will be guided by:

● Position Description

● Employee Contract

● BCC Policies and Procedures Manual

● BCC Catalog

● All applicable tribal, federal, and special policies, laws, rules, and regulations as they apply.