Deadline: Sat, 04/30/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: University of Minnesota Job Field: Fisheries Wildlife Other Job Type: Full Time Location: Minnesota Job Description: The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota invites applicants for a 9-month, non-tenure track Teaching Assistant Professor position (job code 9403T). We seek applicants with a passion for teaching, particularly field courses and outdoor experiences. The position is a full-time, annually renewable appointment with an initial three-year contract. Subsequent annual renewals are contingent on department funding. It is intended to be a long-term appointment and includes a promotion path with steps of Teaching Associate Professor and Teaching Professor. Members of systematically excluded groups are encouraged to apply. The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota (UMN) provides a world-class education through classroom and experiential teaching paired with cutting-edge research. We recognize that structural and institutional barriers exist that prevent the inclusion and equal participation of people in our work. We believe that recognizing who is missing, and working to include them, is a first step to becoming a better department. Although this work is challenging, it will improve the quality of our research, enhance our science, expand our reach, and foster more effective teaching. Join us so that we reflect the society we serve. We include 17 faculty members, 14 staff members, 13 postdoctoral associates, 54 graduate students, and 240 undergraduate majors in our effort to foster a high-quality natural environment and respond to societal needs for information and education pertaining to the conservation and management of biodiversity. We work with the Bell Museum and University Extension to help project our work to the public. Additional affiliated research and outreach facilities include the Cloquet Forestry Center, the Lake Itasca Biological Station, the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center, and the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. The campus is located in the heart of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, which is rich in cultural and natural attractions. The department is dynamic and offers many opportunities for professional development. You will be able to mentor graduate students, pursue research with assistance in obtaining grants and dedicated lab space, and interact with a vibrant intellectual community. You will join a team dedicated to excellence and developing the next generation of fisheries and aquatic biologists, wildlife scientists and managers, and conservationists. Thank you for applying. Position Description Responsibilities include: Teaching two or three courses per semester including a wide variety of circumstances including, but not limited to: Team teaching Outdoor classes that integrate active learning Courses with enrollment ranging from 25 to 150 students In person and online courses The primary responsibilities are teaching the department’s core field courses which teach organismal and ecosystem field sampling methods. Additional teaching responsibilities include courses as assigned by the department head. Service to the teaching mission of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology such as: Participation in Department and College curriculum development Sharing pedagogy-related techniques with colleagues Serving as an academic mentor to undergraduate students in the department major Service on department, college, or university committees ACADEMIC RANK This is a non-tenure track, teaching scholar position. The initial appointment will be at the rank of assistant professor with potential for advancement. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: PhD or equivalent degree in organismal biology, or a related field at the time the appointment begins Experience with college/university teaching of field courses in fisheries, wildlife, conservation, ecology or similar courses Demonstrated ability to teach a variety of organismal and ecosystem based field techniques Demonstrated commitment to working with people with diverse identities and underrepresented communities A valid driver’s license or having obtained a valid driver’s license by the employment start date is required Preferred Qualifications: Evidence of effective teaching in both the classroom and the field Experience working in and/or knowledge of the fields of fisheries, wildlife, ecology, or conservation Experience working with diverse teams and students from different cultures and backgrounds Experience teaching field work in both terrestrial and aquatic systems Demonstrated experience or commitment to instruction programs that supports diverse learners and builds inclusive classroom environments Experience team teaching courses Comfortable teaching classes in a variety of environments, active learning, field settings, and team teaching (including occasional adverse weather conditions) Capable of building collegial interactions with partners from diverse communities and cultures to connect students to professional experiences Ability to use and implement online or hybrid learning technologies and course delivery software to teach in multiple learning modalities Physical Requirements: This position requires frequent hiking off trail, frequent carrying equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, and work in occasional adverse weather conditions. Miscellaneous: The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college’s emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives. At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Salary: n $70,000 - 80,000 dependent upon education, skills, collegiate equity, and previous experience Benefits: This is a 9-month appointment with the opportunity to obtain summer salary from research and/or educational grants up to 2.75 months. Benefits include employee health, dental, and faculty life/disability insurance, social security, faculty retirement and opportunities for professional development, including sabbatical and semester leave opportunities. Benefits are described at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/index.html. The University of Minnesota benefits package includes: Competitive wages, paid holidays. Low cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans. Health care and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts. Excellent retirement plans with generous employer contribution and immediate vesting. Employer paid disability and life insurance. Wellbeing program with reduced insurance premiums. Tuition reimbursement opportunities covering 75% of eligible tuition. Opportunities for sabbaticals and other professional leaves. Opportunities for growth and promotion. Employee Assistance Program. How to Apply: Apply online via the University of Minnesota Employment System at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/. The Job Opening ID for this position is 356439 Required application materials: Appointees must have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. or equivalent by the date of appointment with a preferred start date for summer 2022 or fall 2022 teaching periods. Applications must include: Letter of application/intent describing interest or experience in teaching, and commitment to promotion of diversity and inclusion (typically 1 page) Curriculum vitae Three letters of recommendation to be submitted in the University of Minnesota Employment System Statement that includes (typically two pages) the candidate’s past experience and teaching philosophy with examples of innovation in teaching the candidate’s ideas for instructional initiatives they would propose to implement, emphasizing potential to engage students Review of applications will begin on March 21, 2022; the position will be open until filled. For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Andrew Simons (asimons@umn.edu), Search Committee chair. Review of applications will begin on March 21, 2022; the position will be open until filled. For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Andrew Simons (asimons@umn.edu), Search Committee chair.
