What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor/Teaching Assistant Professor - Natural Resource Conservation and Management - #001170 & position at Western Carolina University?
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. Two positions are available.
The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University is seeking applications for a full-time, fixed-term Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management (NRCM) for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 . Rank will be determined at hire. This is a nine-month position with the potential for summer teaching. The Department is home to programs in geology, natural resource conservation and management, environmental science, and geography, which all share a commitment to excellence in teaching and undergraduate research.
The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University is seeking applications for a full-time, fixed-term Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management (NRCM) for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 . Rank will be determined at hire. This is a nine-month position with the potential for summer teaching. The Department is home to programs in geology, natural resource conservation and management, environmental science, and geography, which all share a commitment to excellence in teaching and undergraduate research.
We seek candidates with a background in natural resource management. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and provide experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. We desire candidates who can increase the instructional capacity of the NRCM program, and who can effectively teach our gateway courses related to natural resource management as well as courses in dendrology, forest ecology, or soil conservation. The teaching load also includes participation in WCU’s general education curriculum.
Western Carolina University is an 11,000-student, regional comprehensive university within the University of North Carolina system. It is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. WCU is situated in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. WCU and the surrounding area offer a wide range of field and laboratory facilities.
Western Carolina University and the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.
Western Carolina University and the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.
Carnegie statement
WCU embraces its role as a regionally engaged university and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to public engagement through their teaching, service, and scholarship.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position
Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate should have an MS or PhD in a relevant field at the time of hire; ABD candidates will be considered during the application process given that the degree will be conferred prior to the hire date of August 01, 2025.
Preferred Qualifications
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
Number of Months Per Year
9
Posting Text
Open Date
03/06/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin by April 1, 2025 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned*, statement of teaching philosophy and a list of four professional references with full contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Keith Gibbs at wgibbs@wcu.edu
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
