ONE-YEAR SABBATICAL REPLACEMENT, NON-TENURE-TRACK INSTRUCTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

ONE-YEAR SABBATICAL REPLACEMENT, NON-TENURE-TRACK INSTRUCTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
University of Montana: Provost: UM Western: Environmental Science

Location: Dillon, Montana
Open Date: Nov 27, 2024
Deadline:

Description
The Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Montana Western seeks a field-based human-environment geographer, environmental scientist, ecologist, or in a related field who is a student-centered educator. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to use Montana Western's unique immersion scheduling model (Experience One) to engage undergraduate students in field and project learning. Our immersion-scheduling model, where students take, and faculty teach, a single class at a time (minimum of 3 hours a day for 18-days), is central to the mission of the campus and offers opportunities for place-based, immersive learning experiences for a talented and creative educator.

The Environmental Sciences Department consists of an interdisciplinary group of natural scientists dedicated to getting students into the field to work on real projects of value to society. We are good at what we do, having recently ranked the 5th best environmental sciences program in the nation by Schools.com, and strive for continual improvement. We prepare our students to lead successful careers with natural resource management agencies, land conservation organizations, and private industries as environmental scientists, managers, sustainability specialists, and naturalists. Post-graduation placements from our programs are extremely high with an increasing number of students pursuing graduate programs. We foster a family atmosphere, which we consider essential to student success and a positive faculty work environment.

As an undergraduate-serving institution, the candidate should be an engaging and dedicated teacher who is committed to undergraduate student learning and success through field and project-based work. Providing students with authentic practice in the discipline is central to our experiential focus.

Teaching responsibilities will include a mix of lower and upper-level environmental sustainability courses. The instructor can utilize existing courses or suggest their own. The suite of courses that would be offered include: ENSC 121 Environmental Sustainability; ENST 275 Environmental Interpretation; NRSM 317 Natural Resources Conflict Resolution; ENSC 255 Environmental Research and Writing; and ENST 274 Sustaining Water Resources. However, there is flexibility in the course offerings and opportunities to propose your own courses using our ENSC 194/394 Topics in Environmental Sustainability rubrics. The teaching load is 16 semester credits (four, 4-credit courses a semester) which are taught one at time on our ‘block' (Experience One) schedule. This schedule allows for immersive, place-based learning and traveling for those interested in this option. We will consider applicants interested in 1-semester (four, 4-credit courses) as well.

Position Details:

Department: Environmental Sciences

Position: Non-tenure-track sabbatical replacement position (limited to 1 year, full-time, with a 10-month contract), with complete benefit package

Salary: Up to $46,000 for Non-Tenure-Track Instructor (Non-Tenure-Track), as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Union Affiliation: Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE)

Position Starting Date: August 1, 2025

Position Ending Date: May 31, 2026
One-year appointment is preferred but we will consider one-semester appointments as well.

Benefits Include:

• Insurance package
• Mandatory retirement plan
• Dependent partial tuition waiver
• Faculty/staff tuition waiver
• Employee Assistance Program (Wellness program)

Qualifications
Requirements

MS in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Ecology or Related Field

Demonstrated ability to integrate project-based learning using our immersion block, Experience One, scheduling

Demonstrated commitment to experiential learning and innovative undergraduate education

Preferred

Doctorate/ABD (preferred) in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Ecology or Related Field

Demonstrated evidence of excellence in undergraduate teaching

Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin January 6th, 2025 but will remain open until the position is filled.

All application materials should be submitted as a single PDF file with page numbers. Candidates will need to successfully complete zoom interview(s), where teaching evaluations may be requested.



A complete application includes:

1. Letter of Interest - addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as "Dear Search Committee" or "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable.

2. A Teaching Philosophy Statement (less than 2 pages)

3. Curriculum Vitae

4. Professional References - names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

5. Official or Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required at time of hire)



Questions regarding this position can be made to Dr. Arica Crootof, Arica.Crootof@umwestern.edu.

The University and Dillon Area



The University of Montana Western is a dynamic, innovative, undergraduate university with over 70 full-time faculty and over 1,200 students. It is located in Dillon, Montana in the scenic Rocky Mountains and has been awarded numerous top national rankings for delivering high quality, affordable education.

Montana Western is the only public four-year college in the nation offering Experience One (X1), experiential learning delivered on the block schedule. Class sizes are small and students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days, before moving on to the next course. Each course is four credits, and four blocks are offered each semester. The block schedule facilitates field and lab work, undergraduate research, study travel (domestic and abroad), and interdisciplinary teaching. Montana Western's faculty strongly believe in mentoring and inspiring students and assisting them in the transition from university life to professional careers.

The University of Montana Western is an integral part of the Dillon Community. With a population of approximately 4,000 people, Dillon is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities, and an excellent quality of life.


For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/160056

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM's non-discrimination policy and any applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).




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