Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment:
Chico State is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At California State University, Chico, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and equitable learning and working environments.
Position Title: Teaching Associate - GEOG 101L
College/Unit: BSS/Unit 11
Department/School: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
Application Deadline: June 4, 2026
Seasonal Role Working Dates: Fall 2026 Semester (08/19/2026 – 12/23/2026)
Pay Range: ($3,245 - $7,598) (prorated based on units teaching)
Location Type: On-site
Role Description:
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is inviting application materials for a Teaching Associate (TA) for GEOG 101L: Earth Systems and Physical Geography Lab (1 unit). For Fall 2026, this laboratory course will be held in person (face-to-face) and run the scheduled 1 hour and 50 minutes (Wednesdays, 11:00 AM-12:50 PM). This work assignment is for eight (8) hours per week.
Description of Duties:
The TA will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Review course content (Lab Document and assignments on Canvas) and prepare lectures
- The organization of teaching materials/activities may be adjusted for the TA’s teaching preferences and personal style
- Edit and update quizzes and homework assignments on Canvas when necessary
- Prepare a course syllabus
- Teach a laboratory course as the standalone instructor
- Hold a student hour (1 hour/week) and by appointment to assist students in need
- Assess student performance in participation and by grading assignments
- Grade assignments and determine course grades
- Meet weekly with faculty supervisor (0.5-1 hour/week) and also prior to the semester
- Maintain records of attendance, participation, and assignment grades; grades should be recorded in Canvas within one week’s time of attendance/submission
- Recognize when students exhibit patterns of absences or low grades/missing assignments, and reach out to those students in a timely manner
- If this occurs, the TA will let their faculty supervisor know and reach out to the impacted student(s)
- Correspond regularly with students and the faculty supervisor
- Keep an exact time record of the amount of time performed for each TA duty
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be currently enrolled in CSU, Chico Graduate Program
- Experience in field work/data collection
- Computer skills (Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets)
- Bachelor’s degree in Geography or a closely-related earth-science field
- Completed GEOG 101 or an equivalent course
- Knowledge of the topics covered in physical geography as demonstrated by successful completion of multiple upper-division spatial science courses
- Navigate and use Canvas from an instructor perspective
- Satisfactory achievement in graduate level academic work, and is making sufficient progress toward a graduate degree
- Task-driven ability to work both independently and cooperatively to meet deadlines.
Exceptions to the minimum eligibility qualifications may be granted at the sole discretion of the University.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in teaching or supervision of students
- Bachelor’s degree in Geography
- Those who will pursue a teaching profession
- Demonstrated leadership experience in interacting with people from diverse, nontraditional learning backgrounds, especially students who have overcome adversity in academic environments
- Prior experience in peer leadership, student teaching, or academic coaching is a plus
Applicants must provide:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Class schedule / availability. Must be available to teach Wednesdays, 11:00 AM-12:50 PM
Additional information may be requested at a later time.
Notification Procedure:
- All applicants must apply online via the University’s job posting system. Applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered. Application review will begin in late-May, and continue until a successful candidate has been selected.
- Applicants will be notified of any changes or decisions in application status via e-mail. If necessary, we will conduct interviews or request additional information.
Job-related questions should be directed to:
Dr. Noriyuki Sato, Search Committee Chair
BSS 352
530-898-5285
nsato2@csuchico.edu
Benefits Information:
This position may qualify for benefits. California State University, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (including sick leave and health insurance). For more information and eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.csuchico.edu/hr/benefits/index.shtml.
Additional Information:
All work must be performed within the State of California.
Compliance training completion (approximately 4 hours of work time) is required of this position within the first 30 days of work.
The person holding this position may be considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
For disability-related accommodations, please call the ADA Coordinator at (530) 898-5959.
All positions are contingent on funding.
Chico State is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only employ individuals authorized to work in the U.S.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Chico provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. California State University, Chico complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or on any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Chico State’s Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at the Chico State Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
