Assistant Teaching Professor, Environmental Studies

Description

The UW College of the Environment welcomes people of all backgrounds, who bring a range of perspectives and life experiences. We acknowledge that if the environmental studies and sciences do not adequately reflect the diversity of national and local populations, then science, policy, management, and education are much less likely to reflect the knowledge, interest, and will of all stakeholders. The successful candidate is expected to contribute substantially to our ongoing efforts to create an ever more inclusive environment. We encourage applications from candidates from groups historically underrepresented in environmental studies and sciences as part of our efforts to expand the knowledge bases and perspectives represented in Environmental Studies.

Situated within the UW College of the Environment, The Program on the Environment (PoE) houses the undergraduate Environmental Studies major and minor. Environmental Studies is a transdisciplinary field that examines the complex interplay of human cultures and natural systems, with a goal of building a sustainable and just future. The UW Environmental Studies program centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; draws from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; and fosters critical thinking, community engagement, communication, and leadership skills. We work to promote environmental literacy in University of Washington students and beyond. We try to develop in ourselves and in our students an awareness of ecological complexities, a sense of responsibility toward the systems we inhabit, and a confidence in our collective ability to promote change. More details about PoE can be found here: https://envstudies.uw.edu/.

The University of Washington Program on the Environment (PoE) invites applications for 2 faculty positions at the level of Assistant Teaching Professor in any field of Environmental Studies. These positions may teach courses in at least one of the following areas:

• Bioregional natural history
• International socio-ecological issues
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Environmental justice

Positions are full-time (100% FTE) over a 9-month service period with additional possible summer teaching. The intial appointment is 3 years. After the initial appointment, they can be renewed up to 5 years as an Assistant Teaching Professor. Teaching faculty are ineligible for tenure. All teaching responsibilities will be in the Program on the Environment (PoE); however, the academic appointment will be based in an academic appointing unit within the College of the Environment, depending on interests and expertise of the successful candidate. Teaching Professors are full voting members of their academic appointing unit faculty. The anticipated start of the position is September 16, 2025.

The base salary range for this position is $8,500 to $11,000 per month commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include start-up funds, lump sum moving allowance and/or a relocation incentive.

All UW faculty engage in teaching, scholarship, and service. The Teaching Faculty in the PoE are long-term educational professionals who combine instructional excellence with a variety of leadership, community building, outreach, advancement of pedagogy, and disciplinary scholarship work.

The successful applicant will: 

1. Teach five to six courses per academic year (10-week quarter system) across all levels in the PoE curriculum. A significant portion of that teaching will be centered within the core class series for Environmental Studies majors, and will include one-to-multiple annual offerings of:

• our introductory and environmental literacy course (ENVIR 100), a large enrollment survey course that is often team taught
• our research methods course (ENVIR 301) which introduces natural and social science research methods including lab and field work
• our case study analysis course (ENVIR 401) which examines specific place-based social-environmental issues and requires students to synthesize information from diverse sources and stakeholder perspectives

Additional teaching responsibilities will consider both the candidate’s expertise and the curricular needs of the program.

2. Advance educational scholarship in the teaching program with emphasis on innovative pedagogy and attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Contribute to pedagogical excellence through mentorship and collaboration with colleagues across disciplines. This may include contributing to the growing community of pedagogical researchers within the College. 

3. Play an active service role at the Unit, College, and University level, for example by engaging in shared governance, contributing to key committees, and training and mentoring teaching assistants. Actively cultivate partnerships at and beyond the University in support of community-engaged teaching, learning, and scholarship, and promoting a diverse and inclusive community of faculty, staff, and students.

Positive factors for consideration include but are not limited to demonstrated:

• experience in effective teaching of interdisciplinary environmental studies at the undergraduate level,
• curricular development
• use of pedagogical innovation
• mentoring of undergraduates

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree, or foreign equivalent in a relevant field at time of appointment. In addition, candidates must have at least three years of teaching experience in interdisciplinary environmental studies offerings at the college level.

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit their application via Interfolio, and include the following information:

1. A curriculum vitae detailing the candidate’s teaching, publication, funding, and professional service history.
2. A two-page (maximum) teaching philosophy statement describing your undergraduate teaching experience, values and practices; please comment on your perspectives regarding course design and teaching methods, your experience and approach to undergraduate mentoring, and how you engage students from varied disciplines and backgrounds.
3. A two-page summary (maximum) of formal teaching evaluations. You may provide as a supplement detailed quantitative and qualitative evaluation data from within the past five years.
4. A two-page (maximum) statement describing demonstrated commitment and activity in support of diversity, equity and inclusion
5. A one-page (maximum) statement describing demonstrated or planned research in teaching and learning.
6. Contact information for three (3) colleagues or supervisors willing to provide a letter of reference. Letters will only be requested during the final review stages.

Consideration of applicants will continue until the position is filled with priority given to applications received by November 1, 2024. Questions pertaining to this search can be addressed to Kristi Straus, Search Committee Chair (kmstraus@uw.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

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