The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department (NRES) in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking a full-time academic year, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in environmental justice and sustainable development starting September 11, 2025.
Cal Poly has a tradition of excellence in teaching and scholarship that supports a curriculum centered on a "Learn by Doing" philosophy and focused on preparing graduates to make a positive impact on their world day one. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of teaching and scholarship that addresses the economic and social impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on marginalized communities and the policy tools to correct these injustices. The candidate would be expected to teach broadly across the Environmental Management and Protection curriculum including courses in environmental policy and environmental economics, undergraduate and graduate courses as needed, as well as develop new courses related to their scholarship.
University-wide DEI-focused Cluster Hire
Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in the classroom, in scholarship, and in service experience. This position is part of a university-wide cluster of searches designed to increase curricular coverage of areas related to DEI, as well as to promote inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies across the university. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the university’s goals in these areas. Candidates selected through this DEI cluster hire will be given start-up funds to support their work in DEI and a dedicated mentor will be given upon appointment. Once hired, candidates will collaborate with their dean and others to develop a plan for utilizing these funds for supplemental compensation, assigned time, or professional development activities.
For more information about Cal Poly’s DEI-Focused Cluster Hires, please visit: https://academic-personnel.calpoly.edu/clusterhire
The other searches are for positions in the following disciplines across campus:
• African American Politics and/or Policy (Political Science)
• African American Psychology (Psychology & Child Development)
• DEI-focused University Archivist (Special Collections and Archives, Library)
• Director of General Engineering (Dept. dependent on specialty)
• Environmental Health in Latinx/e Populations (Kinesiology and Public Health)
• Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development, focus on Latinx/e or Black populations (Natural Resources and Environmental Science)
• Environmental Social Justice, Latinx/e focus (Social Sciences)
• Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian (Collection Strategies and Discovery, Library)
• Spanish Language Journalism (Journalism)
Grade and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:
Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156
Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720
At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Doctorate degree focused on environmental justice, sustainable development, environmental economics, or a related field by start date with a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or conference presentations. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of appointment.
Scholarship and teaching should address the economic and policy dimensions of environmental degradation and climate change for Black and Latinx/e communities in California and the United States. The potential to link scholarship to global sustainability and environmental justice challenges is considered a strength.
Candidates should have a demonstrated ability or commitment to foster connections with underrepresented and marginalized groups to advance instruction and scholarship in environmental justice and sustainable development. Candidates also should have experience and demonstrated interest in working with underrepresented populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, effective communication and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will have the ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program that involves undergraduate and graduate students and partnerships with key stakeholders.
Candidates must provide evidence of experience or a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and/or service, and demonstrate experience with or a commitment to inclusive practices and working with a diverse student body.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required. Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with a record of excellence in teaching and research (commensurate with time since degree), as well as ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Particular attention will be afforded to candidates who have productive records of teaching, scholarly activity, and student-involved research that would strengthen current department activities.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
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.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is also expected that tenure-line faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The NRES Department offers B.S. degrees in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences, Environmental Management and Protection, and Forestry and Natural Resources, and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management. The programs enroll approximately 750 undergraduate students and 30 graduate students and are supported by 18 tenured or tenure track faculty. The department has access to a variety of on campus and off campus field and lab resources to support hands on instruction and research, including multiple ranches and agricultural fields on campus as well as Cal Poly’s 3,000-acre Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz county. The department also supports strong interdisciplinary collaboration across campus including faculty participation in Cal Poly’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) fire institute and the new Center for Organic Production and Research, among other programs.
HOW TO APPLY
Review begin date January 8, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by January 8, 2025 for full consideration; however the position will remain open until filled. Interested candidates must attach: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) statement of teaching philosophy, (5) goals and plans for research, (6) a statement describing the candidate’s experience(s) with diversity, equity, and inclusion and how their experiences have prepared them to advance Cal Poly’s commitment to inclusive excellence (https://diversity.calpoly.edu/inclusive-excellence) and (7) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of reference. The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration. For additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Priya Verma pverma@calpoly.edu.