Assistant Professor for Community and Regional Planning

This is a joint appointment with the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (UWSP), College of Natural Resources (CNR) within the Environment & Society discipline and the Center for Land Use Education (CLUE), which is funded through an agreement with the Division of Extension at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. As a UWSP faculty member, the candidate has responsibilities for undergraduate teaching (40%) and outreach education (60%). The candidate will be responsible for teaching 3-4 courses per academic year. Courses include Land Use Plan Implementation, Introduction to Sustainable Communities, and other courses determined by the specific qualifications of the assistant professor, needs of the curriculum, and current faculty teaching within the program. 

As an Extension Specialist, this position will provide research and outreach for Wisconsin communities 60% of the time. As a CLUE faculty member, the individual is expected to operate in a team atmosphere to provide land use, natural resources, and community planning education to Wisconsin’s local governments, non-profits, businesses, and the public. One of the primary responsibilities is to create an extension program focused on local government and communities through the lens of land use planning and intergovernmental decision-making. This extension program includes providing technical assistance, education, and applied social science research to CLUE’s audiences. It is critical that the outreach work is visible, accessible, and responsive to various client audiences as described above. Successful Extension Specialists tend to provide research and outreach that is dynamic and flexible to meet the emerging issues facing our communities. This position will require occasional evening and weekend hours. 

CNR faculty members report directly to the Dean of the College, in consultation with the CLUE director, and are expected to demonstrate scholarly activity and provide service to the College and community.

Department:

This position serves in the Environment & Society discipline within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (www.uwsp.edu/cnr/). The strength of our program is its interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on hands-on experiences. The College of Natural Resources has approximately 1,550 undergraduates, 50 graduate students, and over 130 faculty and staff. It is home to disciplines in Environment & Society, Fisheries and Water Resources, Forestry, Soil and Waste Resources, Wildlife Ecology, and the Department of Paper Science and Chemical Engineering. It is one of the largest comprehensive natural resources’ undergraduate programs in North America. 

This position will also serve the Center for Land Use Education (CLUE), which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension. CLUE serves both the Natural Resource Institute (NRI) and Community Development Institute (CDI) within Extension. This position would be housed within CDI. CLUE faculty and staff work as a team on a diverse suite of conservation and community planning topics across the state. Our overarching objective is to help Wisconsin communities make informed land use decisions that sustain natural resources and meet community goals. 

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. at or near completion, or other terminal degree in urban and regional planning or related field with a broad understanding of current community development issues, including, but not limited to, comprehensive land use planning, housing, transportation, and sustainability.  The degree must be completed by December 1, 2026, to be considered for retention in the second year.
• Strong analytical and research skills, preferably including quantitative and social science research methods.  
• Experience with community outreach, research, and/or education.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated research on topics related to community development, comprehensive land use planning, economic development, sustainability, energy, and environmental planning.
• Professional experience developing or administering regulatory tools, such as zoning or subdivision ordinances.
• Demonstrated ability to work across topical areas that are relevant to Wisconsin communities.
• Experience with Extension.
• Experience teaching undergraduates. 
• Experience in experiential teaching and learning methods. 

How to Apply:

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by 4/30/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.

Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:

- Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience 

- Resume/Curriculum Vitae

- Unofficial Transcripts/Official Transcripts 

- Statement of teaching philosophy (1 page)

- Statement of research and outreach relevant to Wisconsin (1 page)

(Official Transcripts will be required of finalist)

To apply and view the full position description, visit Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning.