Assistant Professor, Landscape Scale Conservation Planning and Park Management (9 month tenure-track position) Department of Natural Resource Management South Dakota State University
The Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month position (50% Teaching, 50% Research) at the rank of Assistant Professor with expertise in utilizing landscape ecology to inform conservation planning for natural areas, parks, and protected areas to start as soon as mutually agreeable and no later than August 2019. We seek a talented collaborator who will work with other faculty and stakeholders to implement the new undergraduate major in NRM, Conservation Planning and Park Management (CPPM). The candidate will contribute to teaching excellence by developing foundational courses in CPPM, and will build a program of externally funded research within their area of expertise. SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in cultivating foundational coursework for the new CPPM program. They will also contribute to team-taught courses in Integrated Natural Resource Management and Park Management, collaborating with faculty within NRM in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Sport & Recreation Management program in the College of Education and Human Sciences. The candidate will be expected to be active in research in their area of expertise and contribute to a nationally recognized research program which includes developing extramural sources of funds and publishing in peer-reviewed national and international journals. We anticipate that the research will be highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. The candidate will serve as program coordinator for the CPPM major, will advise CPPM undergraduates, and will contribute to advising and professional development of M.S. and Ph.D. students. Participation in service associated with natural resource conservation is expected, including involvement with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, professional organizations, and student organizations affiliated with the department. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * Earned PhD Degree by January 1, 2019 in a field related to landscape ecology that informs conservation planning for natural resources; * Research experience related to conservation and planning of natural areas, parks, and protected areas at landscape scales; * Geospatial analysis skills and experience with GIS use; * Candidates must be enthusiastic scientists and teachers with excellent communication skills (verbal, written and electronic); * Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as a contributing team member; * A publication record commensurate with experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Post-doctoral training landscape ecology, or closely related field applicable to the conservation and management of natural areas, parks, and protected areas; * Established record of external grant funding and experience in grant budget management; * Publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals; * Demonstrated interest in and/or experience with the scholarship of teaching and learning; * Demonstrated experience working as a contributing team member; * Demonstrated experience collaborating with natural resource agencies; * Strong quantitative skills; * An expert skill set in addressing questions that can be applied to natural resource conservation and management; * Demonstrated service to professional organizations. SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY: South Dakota State University (SDSU) is an 1862 Land-Grant institution with approximately 12,500 students and is the state's land grant institution and its largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning. It is a designated Carnegie Research University-High Intensity and is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. SDSU and departmental facilities include on-campus laboratories, the Wildlife Research Unit (one mile from campus), Oak Lake Biological Station (30 minutes from campus), two range and livestock stations in western South Dakota, C.A. Taylor Herbarium, South Dakota State Aquatic Invertebrate Collection, and curated bird, fish, and mammal collections. Additionally, the SDSU Functional Genomics Core Facility provides for interdisciplinary gene function research and training. South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, on the east-central border of South Dakota. Brookings is an economically vibrant and welcoming college town of approximately 23,000 residents. The city has an excellent K-12 education system, is accessible to major medical facilities, has an active cultural and social environment, and has numerous lakes and parks within a short driving distance. Brookings is approximately 50 miles north of the Sioux Falls metropolitan area that has a population of 230,000. The academic home of this appointment will be the Department of Natural Resource Management (www.sdstate.edu/natural-resource-management), which is housed within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. The department hosts five undergraduate programs: Rangeland Ecology and Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Conservation Planning and Park Management, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, in addition to M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in Biological Sciences and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. There are approximately 350 undergraduates and 60 graduate students within the department. There are currently 20 faculty members in the Department of Natural Resource Management, including three USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit scientists, and four Extension Field Specialists located throughout the state. Natural Resource Management faculty have secured, on average, $4 million in grants annually. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by November 9, 2018. APPLICATION PROCESS: SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on "apply for this job." The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement; curriculum vitae; and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with the electronic application process. Email applications will not be accepted. Any offer of employment is contingent on the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies including, but not limited to, a criminal background check. South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. For questions on the position, contact Search Chair, Dr. Lora Perkins at 605-688-6970 or email lora.perk...@sdstate.edu. South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and minorities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing h...@sdstate.edu. SDSU prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status, or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, and Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
