Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Department of Plant and Earth Science

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a member of the University of Wisconsin System, is located 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul in scenic west central Wisconsin. Year around arts, cultural and recreational events are easily accessible. UWRF's 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue degrees in four colleges: Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science; Arts and Sciences; Education and Professional Studies; and Business and Economics. The University provides an excellent environment for learning, emphasizing the importance of faculty-student interaction in classrooms, laboratories, academic advising, and co-curricular activities. A favorable student-faculty ratio affords opportunity for meaningful interchange between faculty and students. Strong interests in teaching, research and community service are highly valued. More information about UWRF can be found at: http://www.uwrf.edu. More information about the Plant and Earth Science Department is available at http://www.uwrf.edu/PES/Index.cfm

The Position:

This is a full-time, nine month, tenure-track undergraduate faculty position (100% teaching) at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Earth Science. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interest in and ability to teach courses in various aspects of Applied Environmental Science, as well as introductory (non-major) Environmental Science classes. The Environmental Science program is part of the Plant and Earth Science Department, which includes majors in Conservation, Comprehensive Planning, Crop and Soil Science, Geology, and Horticulture. The ability to interact and collaborate with faculty in this vibrant and interdisciplinary environment, as well as strengthening ties to faculty in related departments, is expected. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, and other funding sources. Appointment Date: August 26, 2013.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate lecture, laboratory, or hybrid courses focused on various aspects of environmental science such as Fate & Transport, Environmental Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Environmental Policies &Administration, along with introductory environmental science courses.
• Create and modify courses, as part of a dynamic curriculum.
• Incorporate innovative, hands-on, dynamic, active-learning methods into courses. Keep current on new teaching strategies. Incorporate new pedagogies and technologies into courses, with the objective of creating strong, effective courses that engage students. Courses will include a mix of theory and applications. As part of laboratory sessions, teach a range of environmental testing and analysis methods in media, such as, air, soil, sediment, waste, and especially water.
• Manage and supervise laboratory/field instrumentation/facilities (work closely with our laboratory technician).
• Serve as academic advisor to undergraduate student s and co-curricular advisor to student organizations and clubs,potential internships, and mentor undergraduate research within the department.
• Participation in faculty governance and service activities at the departmental, college and university levels is expected.
• Faculty members are also expected to engage in scholarly activity. Such activities are broadly defined and may include the scholarship of teaching, the scholarship of research, or similar activities.
• Interact and collaborate with faculty in the department's interdisciplinary environment, as well as strengthening ties to faculty in related departments.

Qualifications (Required): The following items are required within potential candidates:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Contaminant Geochemistry, Bio Geo Chemistry, Bio Sciences,or a related discipline, or ABD with preferred completion date by date of hire, but no later than end of December 2013
• Experience in at least, one area of Environmental Science. The experience could be focused in areas such as engineering,chemistry, biology, bio geochemistry, water quality, environmental project management, environmental field methods,environmental modeling, or interdisciplinary environmental science.
• Experience working successfully and safely with sampling, testing, and analysis of a range of environmental media,including air, soil, sediment, and natural waters.
• Ability to successfully teach lecture, laboratory, hybrid, and/or other types of courses to undergraduate students.
• Ability to successfully academically advise and mentor undergraduate students on an individual basis.
• Ability to advise co-curricular activities such as student clubs/organizations, internships, and/or undergraduate research.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty in related disciplines.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations, and ability to contribute to the University's commitment to enhancing student awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities.

Qualifications (Preferred): The following attributes are highly desirable within potential candidates:

• Documented history of successful environmental science teaching at the undergraduate level
• Experience with incorporating a range of innovative technologies and pedagogies into courses
• Professional experience with environmental consulting, environmental modeling and GIS, environmental research organizations or agencies
• Broad training and experience that addressed environmental concerns related to flora, fauna, water, soils, agriculture,business, industry, and society
• Experience with undergraduate research
• Established record of scholarly activity
• An interest in international education

To Apply: ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Submit: 

• Curriculum vitae (resume)
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• Statement of teaching philosophy (other document)
• A separate diversity statement addressing – in full - your ability to contribute to the enhancement of student awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities (diversity statement).
• An unofficial transcript (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired). 
• Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three (3) references who can specifically comment on your teaching ability, experience and professional preparation (references).

Address inquiries to: 

Dr. Kerry Keen, Committee Chair

Department of Plant and Earth Science

kerry.l.keen@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Review of Applications will begin on March 8, 2013. For full consideration, applicants must submit all required materials by this date. Materials NOT submitted electronically cannot be considered - https://jobs.uwrf.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/

The names of all nominees and applicants who have requested confidentiality in writing, and identities of all finalists must bereleased on request. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates.

Through its strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction, UW-River Falls will vigorously pursue three goals: Distinctive Academic Excellence; Global Education and Engagement; Innovation and Partnerships. In support of our first goal, UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research; we therefore seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activity. The university is also interested in applicants who can support and extend our partnerships and initiatives in Asia (particularly China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India)and in Latin America. The university's strategic focus on international education encourages faculty to develop courses/pedagogy that facilitate the transition of international inbound students and out-bound UWRF students and enhance our curricular and programmatic partnerships in these regions.

UW-River Falls Diversity Statement: We declare that diversity and inclusivity are core values. We dedicate ourselves to build a culture grounded in principles of equity, social justice, and excellence. We fundamentally affirm and embrace the multiple identities, values, belief systems, and cultural practices of all individuals and communities. We will address fundamental issues of bias, discrimination, and exclusion.

The University is committed to creating an educational community which enhances student awareness and appreciation of diverse ethnicities and cultures and identities which actively supports tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each person without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Awareness of and sensitivity to diverse ethnic and cultural heritages are especially sought in applicants.

UWRF is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability,marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran status, and membership in the national guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or the State of Wisconsin. All persons, especially women,persons of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.For a copy of the UWRF campus safety information, see http:www.uwrf.edu/Police/CampusRecordsCrimes.cfm or call Public Safety at (715) 425-3133 for a paper copy. This material includes crime statistics (Annual Security Report) and information on crime prevention, sexual assault, and drug/alcohol issues.