Full-Time Lecturer, BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 61,458 - 169,754; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, seeks a two-year, full-time Lecturer in BRAE starting August 2027. Teaching spans freshman to junior levels, including CAD tools and engineering topics.

Duties include supervising senior projects and clubs while contributing to curriculum and cross‑disciplinary initiatives. Initial rank and salary depend on experience, with Lecturer A–D salary ranges provided.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required with emphasis in irrigation or engineering technology, or related field.
• Experience teaching undergraduate agricultural irrigation courses with lab components.
• Ability to teach a wide variety of agricultural engineering topics and sustainability.
• Commitment to student-centered learning and collaboration across disciplines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Industry experience in agricultural engineering.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
• Experience working with diverse populations in inclusive learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in agricultural engineering, irrigation, and bioresource engineering for freshman to junior levels.
• Supervise undergraduate senior projects and student clubs.
• Participate in curriculum development, departmental meetings, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Engage students in laboratory‑intensive, problem‑solving learning experiences.

Skills

Teaching undergrad courses

Senior project supervision

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in agriculture/engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Position Overview

The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a two-year, full-time, academic year Full Time Lecturer starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The BRAE department is a true Learn by Doing department with two programs: BRAE and Ag Systems Management. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate-level courses in general, irrigation, and bioresource engineering, and may also include freshman engineering topics such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks, sophomore classes such as agriculture power and machinery management, and junior level classes in energy and water for a sustainable nation, and irrigation. Actual teaching topics will depend on the candidate’s background and the department’s needs. Duties may also include, but are not limited to, supervision of undergraduate senior projects and clubs.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in agricultural engineering, irrigation, and bioresource engineering, covering freshman to junior level topics.
• Supervise undergraduate senior projects and student clubs.
• Participate in curriculum development, departmental meetings, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Engage students in laboratory‑intensive, problem‑solving learning experiences.

Education and Compensation

Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges per month for the respective ranks are:

• Lecturer A: $5,507 - $6,677
• Lecturer B: $6,221 - $13,224
• Lecturer C: $6,825 - $14,523
• Lecturer D: $8,593 - $15,211

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of an earned Master’s degree (MS) in agriculture with an emphasis in irrigation or engineering technology, or a master’s degree in agricultural, mechanical, or civil engineering or a closely related field.
• Experience teaching undergraduate agricultural irrigation courses with a laboratory component.
• Demonstrated ability to teach a wide variety of agricultural engineering topics, including computer‑aided design, power and machinery management, structures and materials, and sustainability.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student‑centered learning and teaching, as well as the ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary settings.
• Effective teamwork skills and the ability to interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Industry experience related to agricultural engineering.
• Proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
• Experience working with varied populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, equitable, and inclusive learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ability to speak Spanish and translate printed material into Spanish.
• The ability to teach technical courses in Spanish to students and industry partners.
• The ability to collaborate with faculty across the College and University.

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.

Applicants must undergo a background check, including a criminal records check, before employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Background checks are performed in accordance with relevant state and federal laws.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti‑discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success.

About the Department

The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department currently houses two majors, BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) and Agricultural System Management (ASM). Both of these programs are accredited by ABET; BRAE by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and ASM by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission. The Department is dedicated to advancing the study, teaching, and practice of engineering and systems management support for agriculture. From day one, students are immersed in the Learn by Doing, laboratory intensive classes designed to hone their problem‑solving skills and provide them with the necessary tools and opportunities to build what they design. From the skills they learn they are ready Day One to enter the workforce.