Professor of Practice, Civil and Environmental Engineering - Futures Focus

Colorado School of Mines•Colorado, CO

2d•$109,000 - $128,000•Onsite

About The Position

Colorado School of Mines' Earth and Society Programs Portfolio is seeking a Professor of Practice for its Futures core curriculum, starting Fall 2026. This role requires significant industrial experience and a creative teaching approach, complementing existing strengths in the Signature Student Experience program. The ideal candidate will contribute to industry partnerships, earth and environmental engineering, societal applications, and innovation/entrepreneurship. The Professor of Practice will be an outstanding educator and entrepreneur, inspiring students with modern pedagogical approaches and advancing the University's mission. The position involves teaching three sections of the Futures course per semester, along with service contributions to the Futures program and the home department. Opportunities may also exist to teach specialized courses or contribute to interdisciplinary programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. The Futures Program is an innovative, interdisciplinary course within the Mines core curriculum, enrolling approximately 900 undergraduate students annually. Each class of 150 students is taught by at least five faculty members from various disciplines, with students rotating through four-week seminar modules focused on a main course theme relevant to the future (e.g., Energy Futures, Technology Futures). The course emphasizes the integration of engineering systems, environmental, economic, social, humanitarian, and policy considerations.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in civil, construction or environmental engineering
A minimum of 15 years in industry or engineering application or practice
National professional achievement in engineering, practice, research or education through recognition of leadership at the national or global level (e.g., by academy and/or senior professional society affiliations and awards)
Significant contributions to complex implementation of engineering and construction technologies in industry and societies over a period of several years
Experience in navigating complex societal systems including leadership, economic, policy, and environmental considerations
Demonstration of accomplished public speaking or teaching at the university or professional practice level
Demonstrated ability to lead both large group experiential and seminar-style workshop learning environments
Demonstrated proficiency in developing ambitious programs while gaining support and resources for future growth and implementation
Ability to teach more discipline specific courses in area of expertise in the home department or Mines interdisciplinary programs and initiatives

Nice To Haves

Strong interdisciplinary interests and global application backgrounds
Sustained interest in complex systems and STEM-relevant theme integration around environmental and societal future needs
Commitment to undergraduate instruction, impact of relevant pedagogies, and productive collaborations with scholars across disciplines
Relevant disciplinary backgrounds focus on civil or environmental engineering systems, futures studies, earth and environmental studies, or related sociotechnical or STEM integrated areas of focus
Relevant experiential backgrounds include global construction, civil, environmental, policy, and entrepreneurial applications with demonstrated contribution to implementation and improvement in community building and construction
Ability to communicate how they can specifically contribute to supporting students in understanding real-world application with respect to the current and emergent themes of the Futures course
Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement in engineered systems
Engagement in professional activities such as delivering workshops, short courses, professional development and public dissemination of these activities
Demonstrated entrepreneurship and innovation achievement in engineering, practice, research or education
Experience working with engineering students and/or mentoring early-career professionals
Experience teaching or collaborating in interdisciplinary, STEM-adjacent, or socio-technical contexts
Skills in designing and assessing reflective, portfolio-based, or project-based work
Interest in pedagogies that support sense of belonging, identity development, and engagement
Commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments
Interest in further offering mentorship and non-classroom-based learning opportunities and developmental support to students regardless of class enrollment

Responsibilities

Participate extensively in the delivery of the Futures courses
Continual promotion and development of the Futures program that is valuable and approachable to whole undergraduate population
Collaborate with other faculty and the Futures leadership team to prepare, deliver, evaluate and continuously innovate and refine the course
Supervise and mentor undergraduate students in coursework, continuing education, and student worker positions, including former futures students and futures student graders
Engage in service to Mines, including membership in department and university committees
Teach in 3 sections of the Futures course for each of the Fall and Spring semesters
Contribute to the identification and organization of additional outside events and opportunities that facilitate experiential learning and expand theme awareness and appreciation beyond the classroom

Benefits

Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution of 12%
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Access to an on-campus daycare center
Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail transportation
Discount programs through the State of Colorado
Free tickets for Mines Athletics home games
Access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more)
Equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center