Assistant Professor of Civic Ecology

Job no: 507414
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Monterey Bay
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Natural Sciences

Classification: Academic Year Faculty
Priority Screening Date: January 15, 2021
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
Appointment Date: Fall 2022

Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a mid-sized comprehensive baccalaureate and masters granting university whose staff and faculty help transform student lives through a focus on student success and engagement through project-based learning, service learning in its regional community, and the promotion of multicultural and global perspectives on and beyond campus. CSUMB is both a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,400 students.

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in the development of a diverse body of faculty, staff, and administrators. CSUMB’s sustainability initiative is to be carbon neutral by 2030. The university’s faculty and staff, many of whom live in the East Campus housing development, appreciate living and working so close to the shores of the beautiful Monterey Bay. As one of the 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market rate campus housing and competitive salaries for faculty and staff.

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies is one of three degree programs offered by CSUMB’s Department of Applied Environmental Science (AES). AES also offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Technology and Policy as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Science. The AES department immerses students in environmental projects in local communities of the Monterey Bay region. Our department provides research and community engagement opportunities focused in watershed science, applied ecology and wildlife biology, environmental education, social and environmental justice, sustainability, and advanced geospatial technologies. The B.A. in Environmental Studies offers concentrations in Sustainable Communities, and Environmental Education and Community Outreach, which seek to develop students who will have the knowledge, skills, and compassion to promote social and environmental justice, and sustainability through a range of career pathways.

The Department of Applied Environmental Science at CSUMB invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Civic Ecology at the assistant professor rank to begin in Fall 2022. We are seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to teaching and research in community-engaged environmental stewardship with an emphasis in social and environmental justice to provide leadership in the Sustainable Communities concentration of our Environmental Studies Bachelor of Arts degree program and to establish an applied research program aligned with the needs of the region. The ideal candidate will collaborate with local communities, agencies, and organizations to advance community-engaged stewardship and justice-oriented sustainability practices that are integrated into teaching, research, and professional applications.

CSUMB values an educational environment of cultural and linguistic diversity and gender equity; ethical reflection and practice; effective and experimental use of technologies as resources for people and catalysts for learning; and the integration of cross-disciplinary models enabling students, faculty and staff to engage in innovative instruction and coordinated service learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to ongoing development of the B.A. program in Environmental Studies
• Teach upper division service learning courses in civic ecology and social and ecological justice
• Teach upper division course in applied research methods appropriate to the discipline
• Teach lower and/or upper division course in writing-intensive critical thinking and environmental problem solving
• Teach upper division capstone courses
• Employ innovative teaching and learning techniques that engage students through the use of technology, hands-on experience, community-based approaches, and problem solving
• Develop and maintain applied research activities in the Monterey Bay region, in disciplines listed under “Desirable Qualifications” below
• Pursue and obtain extramural funding

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in a field relevant to the requirements of this position, at the time of hire
• Research and/or teaching related to sustainability or stewardship preferably as they intersect with social and/or environmental justice
• Research and publications with strong relevance to civic ecology, stewardship, or social and/or environmental justice
• Demonstrated excellence in instruction and commitment to facilitating student learning
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with historically excluded and/or low-income communities
• Experience with grassroots organizing and/or non-profit leadership
• Applied work and/or research with community-based organizations
• Experience working with municipal, county, and/or regional parks and greenspace management authorities
• Research experience and teaching interests with strong relevance to areas within the greater Monterey Bay region, within and across disciplines such as:
  • urban and community gardens
  • community-based restoration initiatives
  • service learning and community-engaged teaching
  • community-engaged greenspace planning
  • green infrastructure, low impact development, and climate resilience
  • impacts of green gentrification
• Experience with applications of GIS
• Demonstrated ability and desire to mentor and teach students from diverse cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds, and a commitment to work effectively in a culturally diverse campus community
• Research and teaching interests and expertise that complement and strengthen those of existing faculty in the department
• Successful record in obtaining external funding

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: CSU Benefits Summary. Additionally, University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay provides access to affordable campus housing based on availability, visit: Employee Housing.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The incumbent is required to maintain confidentiality as outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

There are components of this job which are deemed essential on campus. This position will primarily work on the main campus, with occasional work from home. This position requires working on campus with students. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. In the fall, students, faculty, staff, and the community can expect that masks will be required and that the appropriate degree of social distancing will be in place in all areas based on evolving guidance. Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to be vaccinated before coming to campus. All community members who work or attend class on campus should expect to participate in a random or periodic testing system. CSUMB will communicate more information about vaccination requirements and testing protocols when the details become available.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application and submit required documents by the priority screening date found at csumb.edu/jobs. Applicants must include a cover letter that specifically addresses how their experience and goals match the qualifications outlined in this job announcement, including experience with community engaged, justice-oriented work. Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting University Personnel at (831) 582-3389.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State University, Monterey Bay Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://csumb.edu/clery

CSUMB requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to universitypersonnel@csumb.edu.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.