Assistant/Associate Professor, Landscape-scale Working Lands Conservation

California Polytechnic State University; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 105,492 - 114,720; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor of Landscape-Scale Working Lands Conservation at the San Luis Obispo Campus. This full-time, tenure-track position starts in August 2027, offering competitive salary depending on experience.

The role focuses on teaching and scholarship related to conservation on working lands, aiming to prepare students as leaders in the field. Candidates must have a Ph.D. and will be evaluated on their commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.

Responsibilities include developing innovative curriculum and conducting applied research on environmental management.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop an externally funded research program.
• Experience in student-centered learning and teaching.
• Ability to partner with environmental resource managers.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Environmental Management.
• Develop meaningful connections between new coursework and existing majors.
• Advance conservation goals through innovative teaching and research.

Skills

Excellence in teaching

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology/Ecology, or Forestry

Job description

• Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure‑Track 1

Locations

Central California

• Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus 1

Categories

Appointment Type

• Probationary 1

Job no: 559271
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Probationary, Full Time, Faculty - Agriculture

The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences (NRES) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, invites applications for a full‑time, academic‑year, tenure‑track Assistant or Associate Professor of Landscape‑Scale Working Lands Conservation, starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Working lands, including forests, farms, and ranches, are key to advancing state‑wide conservation, environmental management, and climate‑adaptation goals. Consistent with Cal Poly’s polytechnic mission, the ideal candidate will show a strong interest and ability to prepare our students to serve as future leaders across the diverse organizations advancing landscape‑scale conservation on working lands across California and beyond. The ideal candidate will bring innovative ways to expand the lower‑division core and complementary upper‑division courses in the Environmental Management and Protection major. The ability to link new courses to the Forest and Fire Sciences major would be considered a strength.

The teaching and scholarship area of the ideal candidate would broadly center on using biophysical approaches at a landscape‑scale to address the suite of conservation and environmental management issues facing working lands in the western United States. Relevant areas of expertise may include, for example, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and resilience, water resource management, carbon management, or related fields that address conservation and productivity goals across multiple land uses and jurisdictions. Applicants with a demonstrated ability to partner with diverse environmental resource managers and rights holders to advance teaching and scholarship are encouraged to apply. A vision and ability to leverage Cal Poly’s more than 9,000 acres of working lands, such as Swanton Pacific Ranch, to advance experiential learning and applied research is highly valued.

Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:

Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720

Required Qualifications

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Forestry or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.

Candidates must demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to communicate well with peers, students, industry partners, and the public. Demonstrated experience and commitment to student‑centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required. Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required. A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments, is required. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program that involves undergraduate and/or graduate students, and collaboration with key external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with a strong track record of applied research in areas with clear application to landscape‑scale conservation, environmental management, and resilience of environmental resources critical in the West. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working collaboratively with partners including, for example, public lands managers, the forestry industry, the agricultural industry, state agencies, tribal governments and organizations, and non‑governmental organizations to advance teaching and scholarship. Applicants with industry experience, university level teaching experience, a record of successful research, and the demonstrated ability to generate external funding to support student research will all be given preference.

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.