Assistant/Associate Professor, Landscape-scale Working Lands Conservation

Cal Poly • San Luis, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences (NRES) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, invites applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Landscape-Scale Working Lands Conservation. This role is crucial for advancing state-wide conservation, environmental management, and climate-adaptation goals through the management of working lands like forests, farms, and ranches. The ideal candidate will align with Cal Poly’s polytechnic mission, demonstrating a strong interest and ability to prepare students for leadership roles in landscape-scale conservation. This includes innovating curriculum for the Environmental Management and Protection major and potentially linking courses to the Forest and Fire Sciences major. The position's teaching and scholarship will focus on landscape-scale biophysical approaches to address conservation and environmental management issues in the western United States, potentially including biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, water resource management, or carbon management. Collaboration with diverse environmental resource managers and rights holders is encouraged. A key aspect of this role is the ability to leverage Cal Poly’s extensive working lands, such as Swanton Pacific Ranch, for experiential learning and applied research.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Forestry or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion (ABD) may be considered if the doctorate is awarded before the start date.
• Demonstrated or potential excellence in teaching.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be a team player.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral English.
• Ability to communicate well with peers, students, industry partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.
• Ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program involving students and external partners.
• Compliance with the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act as a mandated reporter.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Strong track record of applied research in areas relevant to landscape-scale conservation, environmental management, and resilience of environmental resources in the West.
• Experience working collaboratively with public lands managers, the forestry industry, the agricultural industry, state agencies, tribal governments and organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
• Industry experience.
• University-level teaching experience.
• Record of successful research.
• Demonstrated ability to generate external funding to support student research.
• Ability to link new courses to the Forest and Fire Sciences major.

Responsibilities

• Teach and develop courses in the Environmental Management and Protection major, with potential links to the Forest and Fire Sciences major.
• Conduct applied research in landscape-scale conservation and environmental management, involving undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Develop an externally funded research program.
• Collaborate with key external partners, including public lands managers, industry, state agencies, tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations.
• Leverage Cal Poly’s working lands for experiential learning and applied research.
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Contribute to the department's academic programs and initiatives.
• Foster inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Benefits

• Rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Full-time, academic-year, tenure-track position.
• Access to Cal Poly’s extensive working lands for research and experiential learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree