College Faculty – Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management

Principia The • Elsah, IL

7d • $60,000 - $89,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Ecology and Ecosystem Management Department, housed within Principia College’s Center for Sustainability, Ecology, and Chemistry, includes faculty with expertise in ecology, zoology, botany, forestry, ecosystem management, and genetics, who are committed to excellence in teaching, mentoring, and scholarly engagement. Faculty typically teach 10-12 credit hours (normally 2-3 full courses plus seminars/independent research courses) per semester, advise majors, and contribute to the academic community through professional development, program assessment, and campus service. As part of a close-knit, student-centered liberal arts college, Principia College faculty help prepare students for meaningful lives and careers through rigorous academics and applied learning experiences, including internships, study abroad, projects, and capstones. Our faculty also support Christian Science-based character education in accord with Principia's Mission and Guiding Statements. Principia College values a passion for educating, a commitment to scholarly engagement, and a spirit of service and collegiality. You will be a primary contributor to delivering on Principia’s academic vision: "Principia College's academic unit strives to create a collaborative and inclusive academic community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and sees each other as infinitely capable and divinely whole. Our rigorous globally-focused curriculum and character-based approach honors diverse perspectives and develops creative problem solvers who use their academic skills to benefit their communities and the world."

Requirements

• Student of Christian Science
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Master’s degree in a zoology-related field (e.g. zoology, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, entomology), PhD preferred
• Ability to be an academic generalist, teaching multiple areas within the discipline
• Classroom teaching experience or work with college-aged students preferred

Responsibilities

• Teaches a full load of undergraduate courses (approximately 18-24 credit hours/year) in areas such as zoology, ecology, wildlife conservation, ornithology, herpetology, entomology, vertebrate and/or invertebrate zoology, and other subjects aligned with departmental needs and faculty expertise and within the context of Principia’s philosophy of liberal arts education
• Works closely with students to develop their thinking, reading, writing, research, and communication skills
• Mentors students through advising, office hours, and high‑impact experiences, including field trips, lab and field work, independent research activities, and senior thesis projects.
• Refreshes and innovates courses and curricula in collaboration with colleagues
• Assesses student learning and contributes to continuous improvement of academic programs
• Contributes to a collegial service culture through department, center, and committee work (reduced service in year one for new faculty)
• Supports Principia's liberal arts philosophy, Christian Science-based character education, and commitment to an inclusive learning community
• Prayerfully supports the mission and goals of Principia and its operations

Benefits

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level