Assistant Professor of Environmental Science/Environmental Studies

College of Natural and Social Sciences
Department of Geosciences and Environment

Position: Assistant Professor of Environmental Science/Environmental Studies 

Starting Date: August, 2022

Minimum Qualifications:
1) An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) or equivalent in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Physical Geography, Environmental Geology, Climatology, Environmental Archeology, or a closely-related discipline from an accredited institution (or equivalent) is required at the time of application.
2) Evidence of successful teaching experience at the undergraduate level.
3) Evidence of publications in scholarly journals.

Preferred Qualifications:
1) Proven administrative experience is highly desirable, such as coordinating multi-disciplinary teams or directing programmatic development, in academic, governmental or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 2) Evidence of successful teaching experience at the graduate level. 
3) Post-doctoral, governmental, or NGO work experience. 
4) Evidence of academic advisement and/or mentoring students.
5) Evidence of developing and revising curriculum or securing external grant support.

Duties:
The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service to the University, profession and to the community. These responsibilities generally include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions.

This specially designed position has unique opportunities to develop and foster interdisciplinary environmental programs within the College of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS). The successful candidate will have a reduced teaching load commensurate with responsibilities and tasks including: (1) coordinate and manage the existing Environmental Science M.S. program; (2) develop and implement a new B.A. degree in Environmental Studies and a B.S. degree in Environmental Science; and (3) work closely with the new Urban Ecology Center in the College of NSS. An interdisciplinary approach to addressing environmental problems and ability to work with faculty across multiple disciplines is essential. With these responsibilities comes many new potential opportunities in curriculum integration, grant development, and professional growth.

The successful candidate will be committed to the academic success of all of our students and to an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates diversity and differences. To this end, the successful candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings. In addition, the successful candidate will be ready to join faculty, staff, students, and administrators in our University’s shared commitment to the principles of engagement, service, and the public good. 

Salary: Initial salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University:
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 23 campuses within the California State University system. The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the U.S. for the upward mobility of its students, and is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. We offer nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, ethnic studies, and the humanities. Our faculty have a strong commitment to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, community engagement, and service.

Our 240,000 alumni reflect the City and County’s dynamic mix of populations. The University has one of the most diverse student populations of any college or university in the nation. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, and Asian-American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all of its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual.

The College:
The College of Natural and Social Sciences is committed to programs of academic excellence in the fields of natural and social sciences that provide access and opportunity for a uniquely diverse student body. The College of NSS reflects a diversity of disciplines through its inclusion of 12 departments and interdisciplinary programs that serve nearly 6,000 undergraduate majors and over 500 graduate students. Our outstanding faculty and staff are committed to creating educational experiences for students that utilize and generate knowledge that is culturally responsive and inclusive and to facilitating the development of the next generation of leaders in their varying fields.

The Department:
The Department of Geosciences and Environment is committed to providing students with the highest quality educational experience through the development of academically excellent programs in environmental geology and geography, student-centered academic training emphasizing field studies and computer processing, and thorough scholarly research by faculty and students. The Department trains our majors to become highly competent professionals capable of solving technical environmental problems, developing public policy, pursuing advanced degrees, and becoming productive members of a diverse society. The Department serves as a hub for interdisciplinary grant programs, including an NSF REU Site focused on Urban Hydrology, and a new initiative focused on urban agriculture and urban natural resource management, funded initially through a USDA-NIFA grant. 

Required Documentation:
Please submit the following to the Search Committee Chair at the email address below: 1) A cover letter specifically addressing minimum and preferred qualifications. 2) A narrative statement describing your commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a multicultural/multiethnic urban campus environment with a substantial population of students who are among the first-generation of their family to attend a college or university.3) A curriculum vitae.4) A list of three professional references.5) A University Application for Employment Form https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Human%20Resources%20Management/forms/empl_application_academic_2017_11_28.pdf)

Finalists will be required to submit: 
Official transcripts.

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Application:
Review of applications will begin March 15, 2022. All applications materials must be received by March 15, 2022.

Please email all application materials in a single PDF to: GEOSFacultySearch@calstatela.edu. Please type “Geosciences and Environment Tenure-Track Application” in the subject line.

Please address all questions to the search committee co-chairs (Dr. Barry Hibbs and Dr. Jingjing Li) at: GEOSFacultySearch@calstatela.edu or 323-343-2400. 

Note: 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.

CSU 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 OfficeHRM@calstatela.edu.

Beginning January 1, 2022, campuses may not hire or reappoint an Employee to perform CSU-related work outside of California. Requests for exceptions are very limited based on CSU Policy and must have prior written approval from the University President.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, Cal State LA is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, marital status, pregnancy, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause undue hardship.