The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University is seeking candidates for Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies. The Water School (https://www.fgcu.edu/thewaterschool/) interdisciplinary enterprise that brings together faculty from five colleges and schools representing 15 departments to focus on the environmental, economic, and human dimensions of coastal resilience, ecosystem integrity, health and wellbeing, and restoration and remediation. Because of its interdisciplinary structure and its connections with other colleges across campus, The Water School presents a good opportunity for professional couples looking for a new academic home.

The Water School encourages nominations for and applications from qualified individuals with research and teaching experience in Environmental Education. The Assistant Professor of Environmental Education will teach undergraduate and graduate courses and will have the opportunity to develop new courses, build a productive program of research/scholarship that involves students, participate on university committees, and perform other duties as assigned. There is potential to collaborate with interdisciplinary centers across campus, including the Center for Environment and Society in The Water School.

Summary

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

Develop and teach assigned courses: prepare syllabi and instruction materials, coordinate lectures, evaluate students and maintain highest possible standards of classroom instruction.
Collaborate with other faculty to develop/revise curriculum.
Develop and maintain an independent and productive research/scholarship program that also involves students.
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as appropriate, in research.
Seek external funding to support research program, including students.
Demonstrate quality of research through peer-review.
Stay current with new developments in field of instruction and maintain disciplinary skills through professional development activities appropriate to higher education faculty.
Actively serve on university committees and participate in institutional meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Environmental Education, Science Education, or related discipline from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
ABD will be considered if degree is conferred by August 7, 2024. If successful candidate is ABD at the time of appointment, the appointment will be made at a Lecturer level on a fixed contract.
Demonstrated experience or potential interest in teaching across the undergraduate and graduate curriculum of programs in The Water School.

Evidence of scholarly expertise related to environmental education, with a record of research with potential for publication in scholarly journals.

Preferred Qualifications

Teaching, research, and scholarly interests that align with the programs and mission of The Water School and of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Experience in science communication and a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts to various audiences and bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public by making complex scientific concepts accessible, engaging, and understandable.
Experience teaching as instructor of record and post-doctoral experience.
Experience in grant writing and in assessment/evaluation of non-formal environmental education programs.
Engagement in scholarship that relates to issues of environmental justice and/or uses a framework of social-ecological systems.
Strong research agenda with evidence of scholarly expertise in the study of environmental education, outdoor education, science communication, non-formal education or related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of the use of various and innovative teaching approaches to engage students and ensure student learning.
Demonstrated development and use of skills appropriate to the discipline.
Ability to conduct independent research and involve students in research.
Ability to mentor students in research with the students’ learning and training in mind.
Ability to contribute effectively and collegially to a positive, dynamic, civil, and inclusive learning and working environment.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment basis available August 2024. Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

Unofficial Transcripts
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Statement of Research Interests
Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as “open until filled” however applications received by November 27, 2023 will receive priority consideration.

Compensation Information

Salary commensurate with education and experience

NAAEE | Jobs

Assistant Professor, Environmental Education