Assistant or Associate Professor of Forestry

Posting Details

About NMHU

Highlands University is an open admissions university with over 70% Hispanic, Native American or African American with nearly 40% studying at the Master’s Degree level. The university is committed to student success and improved retention and graduation rates. NMHU serves approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students at the main campus in Las Vegas, NM (one hour east of Santa Fe) and another 1300 students at centers in Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, and Albuquerque. For more information about the university, visit the website at www.nmhu.edu.

Position Information

Job Title
Assistant or Associate Professor of Forestry

Rank
Assistant/Associate Professor

Classification Title
Tenure Track

Position Summary

The New Mexico Highlands University Department of Forestry invites applicants passionate about student success, teaching, and student research to fill one or more nine-month, tenure-track faculty position(s) beginning in January 2023 . This posting will be open until filled, but applicants are encouraged to apply by September 15, 2022.

Potential areas of specialization for this position include but are not limited to: forest health, forest entomology, forest pathology, wildlife and range management, forest hydrology, watershed management, spatial ecology, reforestation and forest regeneration, forest mensuration, silviculture, forest management planning, and arboriculture and urban forestry.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a range of forestry and resource management courses each academic year; conducting research and scholarship that engage both undergraduate and graduate students; developing a collection of field-based courses; performing service to the University, professional organizations and the broader community of forestry and natural resources stakeholders; advising Forestry students; contributing to the modernization and improvement of the Forestry curricula; participating in Department of Forestry outcomes assessments, aiding in the maintenance of Society of American Foresters ( SAF ) accreditation, and establishing and maintaining relationships with industry, Tribal, governmental, and non-governmental partners. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate as a researcher embedded within a multi-million dollar National Science Foundation Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology housed at NMHU which focuses on forest restoration research across spatial scales in collaboration with our partners. NMHU’s Department of Forestry is also a founding partner in the New Mexico Reforestation Center, and applicants with reforestation-related expertise will be given special consideration.

This position is part of the NMHU College of Arts and Sciences’ ongoing initiative to strengthen its Forestry teaching and research capabilities. The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to creating a climate of engagement, actively enhancing diversity and representation within the College, and highlighting the crucial roles that under-represented groups play in experiencing, documenting, understanding, and solving environmental challenges. All applicants should have a demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively with faculty from a wide range of disciplines, cultures, and academic backgrounds and to advise and teach an undergraduate and graduate student body that is diverse with respect to socio-economic status, culture, and career path.

The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute, which is housed on NMHU’s main campus, utilizes NMHU faculty members and students in projects throughout the state. NMHU Forestry faculty also regularly collaborate with the faculty and staff of New Mexico State University’s John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center located in Mora, NM. Building upon our current strengths, the successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the development of a nationally recognized education, research, and outreach program focused on forestry and resource management with a concentration on the Southern Rocky Mountains and Southwestern ecosystems. NMHU has strong ties with the USDA Forest Service, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, NM Forestry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and other private and non-governmental organizations and is growing its international footprint.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Teach up to 12 credit hours per semester of forestry courses as appropriate to the faculty member’s expertise and departmental needs
– Develop and deliver courses in the faculty member’s area of expertise, and assist with the development of new programs and projects in accordance with the academic and strategic needs of the department and university, including exploring the potential for development and delivery of online Forestry courses
– Assist with the modernization and improvement of curricula
– Serve as an advisor and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students
– Seek, secure, and effectively manage external funding in support of research and scholarly activity in the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise
– Perform service to the University, professional organizations, and the broader community of stakeholders
– Establish and manage good relationships with industry, the community, non-governmental organizations, and agency partners
– Provide support in the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise to members of the department, university community, and external partners as necessary and appropriate, including as a participant in NMHU’s NSF CREST program focused on forest restoration
– Other duties as assigned in accordance with departmental needs and as appropriate under the collective bargaining agreement and faculty handbook

Minimum Qualifications

A B.S., Masters, or Ph.D. in Forestry. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a resource management field such as Forestry, Ecology, Forest Management, Fire Management, Ecosystem Sciences or a closely related field. ABD candidates close to completion will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

A B.S. in Forestry from a program accredited by the Society of American Foresters is strongly preferred. Experience in applied forestry and resource management. Experience with the delivery of field intensive courses. Experience with the development of a private and public outreach program to increase opportunities for the continuing education of professionals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Knowledge of ecological systems, forestry, and data management and analysis.
- Ability to effectively communicate both in writing and speech.
- Skill in the use of technology to deliver both web-based and face-to-face courses.
- Skill in active learning techniques.
- Knowledge of GIS, and various software applications commonly used in Forestry as well as traditional office technologies.
- Ability to direct students in accomplishment of tasks and courses.
- Ability to interface well with other science disciplines at NMHU in collaborative efforts.
- Ability to bring current research into the classroom to show the application of natural resources concepts and practices to real world problems.
- Ability to work well and safely with students in classroom, laboratory, and field environments.
- Ability to engage graduate students from various undergraduate majors and cultural backgrounds to design a thesis or field project that shows their ability to conduct technical research and effectively communicate results to professional and lay groups.

Work Location
Las Vegas, NM Campus

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
F263P

Posting Open Date
03/11/2022

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/7620
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/ Letter of Interest
2. Unofficial Transcripts Conferring Required Degree
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Teaching Philosophy
5. Statement of Research Plans
6. List of Three Professional References with Name, Address and E-Mail

Optional Documents