Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist Aquatic Resource Ecology & Management

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time, 11-month, tenure-track position, with a 75% Extension and 25% teaching appointment. The successful applicant will work within the broad area of aquatic resource ecology and management, which may include aspects of pond and stream management, fish ecology, aquaculture, and terrestrial-aquatic interactions all in the agricultural dominated landscape of Oklahoma. 

Extension Component (75%): The mission of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate information to the people of Oklahoma and encourage the adoption of research-generated knowledge. The faculty member will provide leadership in planning, implementing, and continually evaluating a state-wide Extension education and outreach program in aquatic resource management. Program emphasis will include management of pond and stream ecosystems, including conservation of aquatic biota. Audiences will include natural resource professionals, private landowners, interest groups, and the public. This position will provide continuing education programs and support for Extension personnel, Tribal partners, local, state, and Federal agencies, management professionals, and the public.  The faculty member will be expected to collaborate with other faculty and stakeholders and to seek and secure external funding to support their Extension program. 

Teaching Component (25%): The faculty member will be expected to teach approximately 2 to 3 courses per year using high impact pedagogical approaches. Courses may be undergraduate and/or graduate courses supporting the Natural Resource Ecology & Management majors and enhancing the undergraduate Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology option. Other teaching-related expectations may include mentoring undergraduate students, recruiting, mentoring and training graduate students, advising student organizations, and representing the NREM department at undergraduate recruiting events. 

Service Component: Service is an important component of this tenure track position and is assumed to be a part of the Extension and teaching appointment. The faculty member will be expected to serve on Departmental, Division and University committees appropriate to interests, responsibilities, and organizational mission, and provide service to professional and scientific disciplines (serving on society committees, manuscript reviews, proposal reviews, etc.). 

Research Component: Research is not an explicit component of this job description and thus will not be expected as part of annual reviews or tenure evaluations. However, the faculty member is encouraged to work collaboratively with research faculty in the NREM department and the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, or other departments and universities to conduct nationally recognized, externally funded research that incorporates aspects of aquatic resource ecology and management. Collaborations where the faculty member can help combine research and Extension efforts are particularly encouraged and valuable.