Collegiate Faculty Position in Natural Resources Recreation & Education

The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a collegiate professor at the assistant or associate rank in the area of Natural Resources Recreation & Education. Collegiate faculty members have a primary commitment to the instructional mission of the department, including undergraduate teaching, curricular and program development, and the design and integration of innovative and inclusive pedagogy. Collegiate faculty members are encouraged to conduct research on the scholarship of teaching and learning and/or on disciplinary topics and present their findings in professional venues, but there are no expectations for an extensive research program as is typical of traditional research & teaching faculty appointments.

The individual will be a core member of the faculty responsible for teaching in our Environmental Conservation & Society major. This role includes teaching existing undergraduate courses that support outdoor recreation management and planning and environmental education and interpretation, as well as new courses that advance the curriculum. The expected course load is up to three courses per semester. Additional responsibilities will include: engaging in curricular updates and course transformations, mentoring undergraduate students majoring in Environmental Conservation & Society, developing undergraduate research opportunities, supporting recruiting events, and fostering diversity and an inclusive atmosphere. The candidate is expected to remain current in their field of expertise and to serve on departmental, college, or university committees as a contributing member of the department and the broader university community. Opportunities also exist for teaching at the graduate level and serving on graduate student committees.

The collegiate faculty rank is a non-tenure-track position that offers a clear promotion path through assistant, associate, and professor levels. Appointments are for 3 years at the collegiate assistant professor rank, 5 years at the associate rank, and 7 years at the collegiate full professor. These contracts are renewable without limit. Collegiate faculty are full participants in departmental affairs and the university’s governance process.

With 113 new collegiate faculty since 2017, collegiate faculty represent the fastest growing faculty line at Virginia Tech. The College of Natural Resources & Environment currently has three collegiate faculty focusing on wildlife conservation and management, data science, and geographic information systems.

● Ph.D. or other terminal degree within a relevant field of study, including, but not limited to: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Education, or closely related fields.
● Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence through experience and/or through training with strong promise for being a leader in the Department’s instructional mission.
● Demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in teaching and research.

● Expertise and experience in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education/Interpretation.
● Experience in mentoring undergraduate students
● Demonstrated ability in the design and integration of innovative and inclusive pedagogy, including experiential learning opportunities
● Demonstrated record of research, teaching, and/or mentoring addressing needs of under-represented communities, including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
● Experience in teaching or research related to Environmental Justice
● Vision, creativity, and leadership skills relevant to instruction and technology related to instruction
● A record of scholarship and publications in outdoor recreation, environmental education/interpretation, or related topics in the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Regular

Commensurate with experience

September 5, 2023

Applicants must apply online at www.jobs.vt.edu and provide a Resume/Curriculum Vitae; Cover letter expressing a statement of interest in the position; Statement of teaching experience, philosophy, and interests relevant to the position; Diversity statement describing what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and how you incorporate these themes into your teaching, research, and/or service, along with how you approach creating an inclusive environment in the classroom and other relevant professional contexts; Names, titles, and complete contact information for three references.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.