Assistant Professor - Soil Conservation Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button. If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the Bookmark link. If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the Print Preview link. Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job Please see Special Instructions for more details. Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Materials not submitted through https://jobs.uwrf.edu/ cannot be considered. Applicants are required to provide: 1. Curriculum vitae 2. Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter) 3. A three-part statement, not to exceed 3 pages (Other Document) covering: + Your primary and secondary teaching interests, experience in classroom, and any evidence of successful teaching at the college level + Your soil conservation and soil health experience + Your applied research and scholarly activity agenda. 4. An unofficial transcript (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired). 5. Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your teaching ability, experience and professional preparation (references). Inquiries should be addressed to: Dr. Kevyn Juneau, Search Committee Chair Department of Plant and Earth Science kevyn.juneau@uwrf.edu Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For consideration, applicants must submit all required materials on or before January 12, 2025. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates. Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.90%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf Posting Details Position Information UW - System Position Title Assistant Professor - Soil Conservation Business Title Assistant Professor Major Department Code Plant & Earth Science (J046000) Appointment Type Faculty FLSA Status Exempt FTE (Percentage of Appointment) 100 Typical Working Schedule Dependent upon class schedule, university service and scholarly research. University hours are Monday – Friday 7:45 am to 4:30 pm. Hybrid or On Campus On Campus Position Summary This is a full-time 9-month tenure-track undergraduate teaching position focused on Soil Conservation and Soil Health in our Crop and Soil Science program. The faculty member will develop and maintain engaging courses that provide students with hands-on experience that showcases the importance of soils in providing ecosystem services and sustaining agricultural production through the utilization of regenerative practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in soil science and will contribute to our collaborative interdisciplinary department that includes Crop and Soil Science, Horticulture, Conservation, Community & Environmental Planning, and Geology. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. Faculty members are expected to accomplish a record of scholarly achievement, including (but not limited to) mentoring of undergraduate research projects. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through internship supervision, research grants (including funding available through the Dairy Innovation Hub (https://www.uwrf.edu/CAFES/DairyInnovationHub/) ), teaching, and other funding sources. Responsibilities Specific Duties and Responsibilities: + Teach the following courses: Introductory Soil Science, Soil and Water Conservation, and additional courses depending on the candidate’s expertise. Course array may change over time. + Provide leadership in the on-going development and design of the Introduction to Soil Science curriculum to enhance recruitment and retention through integration of evidence-based teaching strategies, active learning techniques, and high impact practices. + Modify courses and/or develop new courses, as needed, to contribute to a comprehensive soil science curriculum that engages students and prepares them for professional careers and licensure. + Mentor and advise undergraduate students. + Establish partnerships and collaborations with appropriate industry partners to facilitate internships and other learning opportunities for students and help ensure relevancy of program curricula. + Engage in scholarly activity, which can include developing a research program appropriate to a primarily undergraduate teaching institution, investigating the scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentoring undergraduate research projects, in addition to involvement in professional organizations. + Participate in co-curricular activities including coaching or co-coaching the collegiate soil judging team, involvement in student organizations, and supervising internships. + Participate in service activities at the department, college, and university levels. Knowledge Skills and Abilities Qualifications Required: + Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Natural Resources Management or closely related field. ABD candidates may be considered for a conditional appointment with Ph.D. completion no later than December 31, 2025. + Demonstrated expertise in soil conservation/health with knowledge of agricultural production systems/practices common to the United States and key environmental issues. + Demonstrated interest in a teaching-focused position with the ability to successfully teach dynamic and innovative lecture, laboratory, field, hybrid, and/or other types of courses to undergraduate students. + Demonstrated scholar as evidenced by research activities or involvement in extension or professional organizations. Qualifications Preferred: + Ability to teach soil physics, hydric soils, soil microbiology or other soil science courses. + Knowledge or field experience in the development/implementation of conservation plans, water quality issues, management of soil organic carbon, implementation of regenerative and best management practices, and applications of precision agriculture, geographic information science, and remote sensing. + Teaching experience at the college level or professional development/coursework related to teaching in higher education. Posting Detail Information Posting Number AAF00993 Number of Vacancies Desired Start Date 08/25/2025 Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date 10/28/2024 Closing Date Applicant Review Date 01/13/2025 Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Materials not submitted through https://jobs.uwrf.edu/ cannot be considered. Applicants are required to provide: 1. Curriculum vitae 2. Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter) 3. A three-part statement, not to exceed 3 pages (Other Document) covering: + Your primary and secondary teaching interests, experience in classroom, and any evidence of successful teaching at the college level + Your soil conservation and soil health experience + Your applied research and scholarly activity agenda. 4. An unofficial transcript (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired). 5. Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your teaching ability, experience and professional preparation (references). Inquiries should be addressed to: Dr. Kevyn Juneau, Search Committee Chair Department of Plant and Earth Science kevyn.juneau@uwrf.edu Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For consideration, applicants must submit all required materials on or before January 12, 2025. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates. Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.90%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf Legal Notices EEO/AA Statement UW-River Falls is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran or military status. All persons, especially women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). Title IX Notice As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see uwrf.edu/titleIX. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at https://www.uwrf.edu/Police/Annual-Security-Report.cfm or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous UW System institution and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per UW System Administrative Policy 1275. Other Notices Supplemental Questions