Assistant Teaching Professor - Geospatial teaching and analyses at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho

Job Description:

The Department of Geosciences and the School of the Environment at Boise State University invite applications for a non-tenure-track Teaching Faculty at the Assistant Professor Rank, with expertise in Geospatial teaching and analyses. We are seeking candidates that share our commitment to teaching and community engagement. Qualified candidates should demonstrate prior success and future potential in teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as a willingness to engage in program development. The new hire will contribute to existing geospatial courses and develop new courses within their expertise. In their application materials, candidates should demonstrate and articulate how they plan to contribute to existing geospatial program strengths and develop courses that would support multiple degree programs across several colleges (e.g. undergraduate degrees in Geosciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Urban Studies and Community Development, Anthropology, Civil Engineering, and graduate programming in Geosciences, Biological Sciences, Ecology Evolution and Behavior, Public Administration, etc.). The new hire will have the opportunity to contribute to existing geospatial programming, expand the breadth of geospatial training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and partner with a group of interdisciplinary faculty and staff to refine existing and develop new geospatial programming opportunities.

The successful candidate for this position will have a primary appointment in the Department of Geosciences and a joint appointment in School of the Environment. More specifically, this position will have a 70% appointment in the Department of Geosciences and a 30% appointment in the School of the Environment. As such they will contribute to the key undergraduate and graduate training needs in both units and participate in growth of geospatial training opportunities through curriculum and program development. The primary duties and workload distributions of this position include the following:

• Department of Geosciences:
  
  • (70%) Contribute introductory through advanced undergraduate courses, as well as at least one graduate course, in geospatial topics that are required for our geospatial programs.
    
• School of the Environment:
  
  • (10%) Develop and teach new courses that align with the candidate's expertise and interests as well as student needs.
    
  • (10%) Engage with community and university members to help identify and facilitate opportunities for expanding the reach of our students' geospatial learning and career opportunities.
    
  • (10%) Contribute to the service needs of the School of the Environment.
    

Department and School overview:


Department of Geosciences: The Department of Geosciences at Boise State is comprised of 15 tenured and tenure-track faculty and maintains strategic focus areas in surface processes, geology, and geophysics. Our research pursuits span the globe, while benefiting from collaborations with science and management agencies in the state and region. Boise State is a university consortium partner in the USGS Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory, and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. We support a BS in Geosciences and research graduate programs delivering MS degrees in Hydrologic Science, Geoscience, and Geophysics, and PhDs in Geoscience and Geophysics. We also have an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate in GIS. Campus-wide, interdisciplinary degrees in which Geoscience faculty advise students include PhD programs in Computational Science and Engineering and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior.

School of the Environment: The School of the Environment (SoE) is an interdisciplinary school that resides within the College of Arts and Sciences. The School brings together scientific perspectives, policy tools, systems thinking, varied experiences, creative stories, partnerships, and more to collaboratively develop societally-impactful solutions to environmental challenges on our changing planet. SoE faculty are interdisciplinary and bring their scholarly perspectives to bear on student training and environmental challenges from Human Environment Systems, History, Sociology, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Geosciences, Energy Policy, and the Biological Sciences. We offer a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Management. We also support the BA in Environmental Studies offered by the School of Public Service. SoE faculty advise students in multiple graduate programs across campus including PhD programs in Computing; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior; and Geosciences; and Masters programs in Biological Sciences and the Masters in Environmental Management.


About Boise State:


Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We're a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We're building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about faculty careers at Boise State and the City of Boise.


Minimum qualifications:

• A PhD in natural or social sciences, engineering, or a related field; or a Masters degree in natural or social sciences, engineering, or a related field combined with 8 years of teaching or professional experience with GIS.
  
• A record of teaching experience related to spatial analysis, spatial data management, cartography, or related topics (e.g. university-level course instruction, leading professional workshops, developing and implementing standardized geospatial methods and systems across companies/organizations/agencies, etc.).
  

Preferred qualifications:

• A commitment to effective teaching, as demonstrated by evidence of student attainment of learning outcomes, responsiveness to learning barriers, monitoring and improving teaching methods, professional development activities, or peer and student evaluations of teaching.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in GIS practice.
  
• Experience with teaching or mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
  
• A commitment to creating inclusive teaching environments where all students are capable of learning.
  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate geospatial concepts or information to diverse fields or the general public
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of diverse aspects and applications of geospatial information and analysis.
  

Required application materials:


1) Cover Letter that explicitly states the candidate's potential contributions to the Department of Geosciences and School of the Environment;

2) Curriculum Vitae, which includes employment history (include dates of employment), experience with courses taught, publications and other data products (i.e., datasets, code, maps, etc.), leadership roles and responsibilities (e.g. program development or leadership), mentorship of students, and professional activities including service;

3) Teaching Statement (four page maximum) that addresses the "Preferred Qualifications" above including a description of the candidate's teaching and mentoring experiences, plans for an introductory GIS course suitable for students from multiple degree pathways (i.e., approach to design, topics, delivery, and assessments), plans for courses or programs that will provide students with essential skills for careers using GIS, and teaching evaluation summaries if available;

4) An example product that demonstrates GIS expertise or GIS teaching experience.

5) Contact information (email address and phone number) for three referees


Closing Date:


Position will close for new applicants on December 5, 2024

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Dorsey Wanless (dwanless@boisestate.edu) and Dr. Kevin Feris (kevinferis@boisestate.edu)


Salary and Benefits:


Starting salary: Commensurate with experience.

Our standard faculty contract is a 9-month contract (unless otherwise noted) with pay and benefits spread over 12 months. This is a yearly, renewable contract. More information about faculty contracts and work days is available here.

Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
  
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
  
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
  
• See our full benefits page for more information
  

Advertised: November 5, 2024 Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: December 5, 2024 11:55 PM Mountain Standard Time Apply Now