Applications close: October 17, 2021 11:55 PM Mountain Daylight Time

See full details at https://jobs.boisestate.edu/en-us/job/496038/assistant-professor

Boise State University, powered by creativity and innovation, stands uniquely positioned in the Northwest as a metropolitan research university of distinction. Learn more about Boise State and the City of Boise at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/boise-and-beyond/. Boise State University is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, staff, students, and academic program offerings and to strengthening sensitivity to diversity throughout the institution. Boise State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. We are a welcoming campus that supports diversity and inclusion.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Environmental Studies program in the School of Public Service seeks a tenure-track assistant professor to broaden our expertise in the diversity of the rural Intermountain West. Potential areas of expertise include the human dimensions of rural environmental change, rural community development, and demographic change in Idaho or regionally. We are looking for a scholar who draws upon qualitative methods such as community engagement and participatory research, possibly including indigenous epistemologies and methods, participatory GIS, or co-generation of knowledge. We are interested in a scholar who applies a rural or local lens to their research and who can think across a broad span of environmental issues in an applied and theoretical fashion. A successful applicant may come from a range of disciplines and theoretical approaches but will have expertise in or applicable to Idaho or the larger Intermountain West.

You would be joining a dynamic, exciting program that has recently been redesigned to emphasize problem-based and place-based learning. As one of three interconnected interdisciplinary programs in the School of Public Service (along with Global Studies and Urban Studies and Community Development), we deliver an innovative and engaged curriculum. Environmental Studies has over 200 majors and nearly 60 minors and a new certificate in Environmental Education. Our students come from all regions and backgrounds and leave prepared to understand diverse perspectives, evaluate environmental transformation, conduct research, communicate effectively, and create networks as well as lead and support innovative change.

The selected candidate will contribute to the University’s mission of conducting innovative scholarship and providing student-centered, quality education and will be committed to the success of our students and the university. Core to this mission are research and scholarly or creative activities, teaching effectiveness, professional development, institutional service, student advising and involvement, and collaborative public service activities.

Level Scope:

The tenure-track Assistant Professor is an entry-level academic rank. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate achievement in the areas of research, scholarship, or creative activities; teaching; and institutional and professional service appropriate to the discipline.

Essential Functions:

Scholarly, creative, or research activities:

The faculty member will conduct cutting-edge scholarly research on environmental issues that are relevant to Idaho or the Intermountain West region and publish research in influential disciplinary or interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journals or academic presses.

If an Idaho/Intermountain West-centered agenda has not yet been developed, we invite applications from scholars who can outline potential collaborations and relevant research questions. Possible research topics include climate change, population growth/change, biodiversity loss and habitat protection, agricultural or energy transitions, forest management, Indigenous sovereignty, One Health, economic inequality and exposure to toxicity, environmental justice and injustice, and/or shifts from extractive resource economies to recreation and amenity-based services.

The applicant should be able to cultivate and develop relationships with rural stakeholders and draw from these to develop a research portfolio that is useful to these communities and academic audiences.

Teaching:

The faculty member will contribute to one or more core classes in the Environmental Studies program and electives in their area of specialty. Core classes include ENVSTD 121 Introduction to the Environment, ENVSTD 200 Environmental Methods and Approaches, ENVSTD 300 Environmental Management and Analysis, and ENVSTD 492 Capstone Research seminar. The candidate would be invited to teach from our existing electives and develop new courses that would strengthen our commitment to problem-based and place-based learning.

The candidate would engage in development of new and creative instructional materials, expand the Environmental Studies curriculum and keep it current, and the successful candidate will join a department dedicated to the use of a curriculum that is responsive to all the students it serves. Such curriculum includes the pedagogical strategies that draw on a wide range of high impact and effective practices as well as varying culturally-relevant content and approaches.

Service:
The candidate will contribute meaningful service to the program, School, University, and profession. Participation in shared governance and cultivation of leadership roles are encouraged as are contributions to student-centered and community activities. Service may be demonstrated through mentoring students; participation and leadership in program, School, or University committees, the faculty senate, and professional organizations; and, as appropriate to their discipline or local, state, national or international communities.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

In accordance with discipline and departmental standards and expectations

• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality academic and public scholarship.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in engaging students and creating course materials (syllabus, activities, presentations, etc.) that enhance student interest and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations including capacity to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with people from other cultures or backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD (preferred) or ABD in Environmental Studies or a related field such as Geography, Sociology, American Indian Studies, Ethnic Studies, History, Political Science, Public Health, Philosophy, Anthropology, Environmental Science, or other related fields.

Preferred Qualifications:

Research focus on Idaho or Intermountain West, or stated plan for applying current research to this setting. (In attached job announcement with track changes).

Salary and Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience. Boise State University is committed to offering a benefits package that provides health and financial protection plans as well as resources to promote health and well-being. Our program provides flexibility so you can choose the benefits that are right for you and your family. Learn more about our benefit options at https://www.boisestate.edu/hrs/benefits/.

Required Application Materials:

Cover Letter, CV, names and contact information for three referees, exemplary writing sample, evidence of teaching success (including teaching evaluation summaries and syllabi).