Tenure Track Faculty in Wildlife Ecology, Conservation and Management

POSITION: Western Colorado University invites applications for a tenure-track, full time, Assistant or Associate Professor of Environment and Sustainability in the MS in Ecology graduate program housed in the School of Environment and Sustainability.

DUTIES: Primary responsibilities include mentoring (~6-8) graduate students in wildlife research and developing funded, long-term research collaborations with natural resources partners. The successful applicant will secure extramural funding to support research and publish peer- reviewed science. The position includes active mentoring of advisees and other students in research methods including spatial and statistical analyses. The wildlife ecologist will teach 4-6 graduate and undergraduate courses in wildlife biology and management (may include on-line course development and delivery). Responsibilities also include active recruitment, development and promotion of Western’s wildlife and ecology graduate and undergraduate programs, service to the university, and professional activity and scholarship. The successful applicant will be eager to cross boundaries between the MS in Ecology, Master in Environmental Management, undergraduate Environment & Sustainability, and Biology programs, the campus at large, and the Gunnison community to engage in cutting-edge academic research, inform natural resource management, and achieve broader social impact. The position has the opportunity and expectation of creating strategic partnerships with agencies and organizations locally and regionally. Western is a member of the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and is surrounded by public lands including eight wilderness areas. The University has a history of working closely with natural resource management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Gunnison Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other partners including the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, local non-profits and land owners.

QUALIFICATIONS: A doctorate with an emphasis in wildlife ecology, conservation, management, or a related field is required. Candidates must possess a strong commitment to innovative education and demonstrate excellence in teaching in lecture, field and laboratory settings. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate and graduate research, mentoring, and collaboration. They must have a relevant publication record and evidence of their ability to secure research funding. A strong background and interest in quantitative methods and ability to apply contemporary data analyses is required. We are seeking candidates with complementary professional expertise to the existing faculty. We actively seek and welcome applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to greater inclusivity of those underrepresented in the field. Western Colorado University takes a firm and unyielding stance in support of diversity, inclusivity, scientific inquiry and creative expression.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

SALARY: Base (9-month) salary ranges from $50,000-$60,000 depending on experience and previous rank. A 12-month commitment would include $15,000 additional salary on top of base salary. Benefits include an employee/employer shared contribution retirement plan and life and health insurance. After one year of employment, dependents qualify for tuition waivers to attend Western. Renewal contingent upon excellent performance.

START DATE: July 1, 2021

APPLICATION: Apply online at w ww.western.edu/jobs . Required attachments to the application include: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement including areas of research interest and documented success in publishing research and obtaining research funding, a teaching statement addressing overall approach and particular areas of interest and expertise, evidence of teaching effectiveness, a statement describing the candidate’s actions consistent with increasing diversity, equity and inclusivity in the sciences, and academic transcripts. Three letters of recommendation are required and these must be submitted via email to m frazier@western.edu . Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during screening. Official transcripts are required prior to issuing contract.

Please direct questions regarding the position to Dr. Patrick Magee!, search committee chair ( pmagee@western.edu ).

Screening of applications will begin December 01, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled.

Western is a public university with an enrollment of 3,000 students who come from across Colorado and all fifty states. Faculty members share a strong commitment to personalized education. They are student-oriented, collegial, energetic, and engaged in the campus and community. The curriculum provides professional flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. The university is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver in the Southern Rocky Mountains. The Gunnison Basin, with elevations ranging from 7,700 to 14,000+ feet is characterized by a diversity of ecosystems from sagebrush, to montane and sub-alpine forests, and alpine. The Basin has a wealth of wildlife species and several high-profile conservation issues. Employees have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. Visit h ttp://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Please read our Board of Trustees’ statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Western Colorado University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus.