Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy

Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Job Description

The School of Earth and Sustainability ( SES ) invites applications for a position of Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy. This is a full-time, benefit eligible, tenure-track appointment. We seek an environmental policy social scientist who will contribute to existing strengths in research, teaching, and practice within SES. We welcome applicants with interdisciplinary training and research experience in the field of environmental policy and governance related to human, policy, and justice dimensions of climate change, adaptation and/or mitigation, equitable renewable and sustainable energy system transitions, or other policy topics related to environmental sustainability. The successful candidate will prioritize SES’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while engaging students, faculty, and external stakeholders on challenging issues critical to a just and sustainable society.

This position builds on university strengths in Environmental Sustainability. Scholars are sought to develop new collaborations that will enable interdisciplinary science-based applied scholarship and teaching on local to global sustainability challenges. The successful candidate is required to maintain an active research program, provide quality teaching for the School, and contribute service to the School, the university, and profession.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. degree in social science with an emphasis in environmental policy, or other closely related academic fields (e.g., Indigenous studies, economics, geography, environmental studies and sciences, sociology, sustainable development, or anthropology) conferred by start date of August 2022.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interdisciplinary training in environmental policy-related topics;
• Demonstrated experience with effective and engaged university-level teaching at introductory, upper-division undergraduate, and/or graduate-levels;
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: collaboration with people from a variety of diverse backgrounds; traditionally underserved communities;
• Willingness and ability to contribute to the SES environmental and sustainability curricula at undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Demonstrated ability to develop an active research program through interdisciplinary grants and publications with productivity commensurate with time since degree;
• Potential to develop research collaborations with other SES and NAU researchers on campus, at local agencies, and/or local or regional communities;
• Experience or interest in contributing to environmental policy research related to the Southwestern United States.

General Information

Northern Arizona University has recently been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and serves a large Indigenous population. The university is seeking to diversify our faculty to address the needs of our students in the 21st Century. We encourage applications by candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of NAU and who value cultural, ethnic, and racial differences. Northern Arizona University has a student population of 31,073, including approximately 23,000 on its main campus in Flagstaff and the remainder at more than 20 locations statewide and online. Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch. NAU carefully balances teaching, scholarship and service with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student’s success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes. The university is committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment. For information about diversity, access, and equity at NAU, see the Center for University Access and Inclusion web p a g e .

The School of Earth and Sustainability offers BS and BA degrees in Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Environmental Sciences, and Geology; MS degrees in Environmental Science & Policy, Climate Science and Solutions, and Geology, and an Interdisciplinary PhD degree. Beyond our interdisciplinary unit our programs are also supported by faculty from across campus including related faculty in the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences, the College of Arts and Letters, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the W. A. Franke College of Business.

Northern Arizona University is also known for its commitment to sustainability. NAU's Office of Sustainability is dedicated to tracking, reporting, and implementing sustainability initiatives that help to support NAU’s quest for carbon neutrality. The office works collaboratively with local, national, and international partners to develop sound initiatives that support the university's sustainability mission and improve the social, ecological, and economic environments that surround us. NAU has been ranked highly among US universities in sustainability education and operations, and continues to integrate education, co-educational, and operations across campus and the community (See http://nau.edu/green-nau/ ). The University’s sustainability research is growing and has particular strengths in ecology, climate science, environmental sciences, and forestry.

The city of Flagstaff has a rich and culturally diverse population of about 70,000. With its elevation of 7,000 feet and four-season climate, Flagstaff is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Grand Canyon, Lowell Observatory, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, and Arizona Snowbowl.

The university is committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment.

For information about diversity, access, and equity at NAU, see the Center for University Access and Inclusion webpage .

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of 12/10/21, the Safer Federal Workforce employee vaccination requirement is currently suspended pending the outcome of a federal court-issued injunction. This injunction has suspended the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. For current status of the vaccine requirement and/or questions, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement .

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report . The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Salary range is $69,000 - $73,000 and commensurate with qualifications and experience at hire.

Benefits

This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page . Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the Conditions of Faculty Service . Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment. If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of employment. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days of employment. More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU HR benefits page .

Submission Deadline

This vacancy will be open until filled or closed. Review of applications will begin on January 21, 2022.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the job description if viewing this position through the NAU HR website. Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to nau.jobs , follow the 'Faculty and Administrator Openings' link, locate vacancy 605899, and then "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

Application must include: (1) Cover letter addressing minimum and preferred qualifications, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) Statement of experiences and plans for contributing to a diverse and inclusive community of colleagues and students, (4) Statement of research interests and plans, (5) Statement of teaching philosophy and effectiveness including approaches for inclusive and interdisciplinary teaching, (6) Unofficial transcript, and (7) Contact information for three references including names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. Only submissions received through our online applications system will be reviewed.

Questions about the position may be sent to Dr. Denielle Perry ( Denielle.Perry@nau.edu ), Search Chair.

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.