Asst. Professor of Urban and Community Forestry - University of Connecticut

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the area of Urban and Community Forestry with specific expertise in urban forest socio-environmental systems, ecology, and management of urban green spaces, arboriculture and tree health, or urban silviculture, including intersections with environmental justice, equity, and historically underserved and marginalized communities.

The successful applicant will develop an extramurally funded and innovative research program integrating biological, sociological, and geospatial data to better understand, plan, and manage urban forest socio-environmental systems. Strong preference will be given to those whose knowledge, skills, and abilities allow advancement of environmental justice in collaboration with communities historically underserved by the many benefits of urban forests and help broaden representation and participation within the urban forestry and arboriculture industry. We are seeking a collaborative researcher eager to work with others within the College and University, University Centers and Institutes (e.g., Eversource Energy Center, Center for Land Use Education and Research), and outside agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders.

The successful applicant will instruct courses in the Natural Resources major, which are also cross-listed and taught concurrently in the new Associate of Applied Science in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture major within the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, which is actively recruiting a student population more diverse, inclusive, and first-generation than the University-at-large. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to serve and build the urban forestry workforce and promote a more equitable and diverse future. Other duties include advising undergraduate and graduate students, and active contribution to the academic community through service within the University, to the state and region, and through national and international organizations.

The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. An essential component of that Strategic Vision is a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and extension and addressing structural racism by broadening participation and integrating culturally-sustaining approaches in all College activities. Faculty hired in this position will be expected to make significant progress to this Strategic Vision through their area of expertise contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s strategic initiatives: Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces Advancing adaptation and resilience in a changing climate Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms

The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis. Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A doctoral degree in Forestry, Forest Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related discipline; equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable; demonstrated expertise in urban forestry, arboriculture, or community forestry; excellent oral and written communication skills; experience in teaching at the university level; a record of peer-reviewed publication of original research; and evidence of a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and/or inclusion through academic, extension, and research activities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Post-doctoral experience; experience with independent research proposal development and a record of funding from agencies and organizations with a national or international scope. A demonstrated ability to carry out independent research; an innovative, collaborative, and/or multidisciplinary research approach; active participation in major professional societies and international meetings; a record of effective, student-centered mentoring and teaching, including integrating technology into instruction and online instruction.
APPOINTMENT TERMS This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, research (50%) and teaching (50%) position at the Assistant Professor level, with service expectations. The successful candidate will work at the University of Connecticut’s main campus located in Storrs. Anticipated start date is August 23, 2022. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19722 and submit the following application materials: A cover letter, Curriculum vitae, Sample journal articles or books/book chapters; Names and contact information for at least three references; For the statements below please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College’s success in achieving its Strategic Vision.
Research and scholarship statement up to two pages (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.); Teaching statement up to two pages (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.); Experience and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion statement up to two pages (including broadening participation, integrating culturally-sustaining approaches in instruction and research, promoting equity through scholarship and community engagement, and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.). Only applications submitted through Academic Jobs Online will be accepted. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than October 22, 2021. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

For further information, please contact the search committee chair: Dr. Robert Fahey robert.fahey@uconn.edu All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp. The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching statement
Sample journal articles or books/book chapters;
Research and scholarship statement
Experience and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion statement
Three or more references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

Search Chair

Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Road, Unit 4087
Storrs, CT 06269-4087
Phone: (860) 486-2840

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the area of Urban and Community Forestry with specific expertise in urban forest socio-environmental systems, ecology, and management of urban green spaces, arboriculture and tree health, or urban silviculture, including intersections with environmental justice, equity, and historically underserved and marginalized communities. The successful applicant will develop an extramurally funded and innovative research program integrating biological, sociological, and geospatial data to better understand, plan, and manage urban forest socio-environmental systems. Strong preference will be given to those whose knowledge, skills, and abilities allow advancement of environmental justice in collaboration with communities historically underserved by the many benefits of urban forests and help broaden representation and participation within the urban forestry and arboriculture industry. We are seeking a collaborative researcher eager to work with others within the College and University, University Centers and Institutes (e.g., Eversource Energy Center, Center for Land Use Education and Research), and outside agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders. The successful applicant will instruct courses in the Natural Resources major, which are also cross-listed and taught concurrently in the new Associate of Applied Science in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture major within the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, which is actively recruiting a student population more diverse, inclusive, and first-generation than the University-at-large. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to serve and build the urban forestry workforce and promote a more equitable and diverse future. Other duties include advising undergraduate and graduate students, and active contribution to the academic community through service within the University, to the state and region, and through national and international organizations. The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. An essential component of that Strategic Vision is a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and extension and addressing structural racism by broadening participation and integrating culturally-sustaining approaches in all College activities. Faculty hired in this position will be expected to make significant progress to this Strategic Vision through their area of expertise contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s strategic initiatives: Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces Advancing adaptation and resilience in a changing climate Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis. Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A doctoral degree in Forestry, Forest Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related discipline; equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable; demonstrated expertise in urban forestry, arboriculture, or community forestry; excellent oral and written communication skills; experience in teaching at the university level; a record of peer-reviewed publication of original research; and evidence of a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and/or inclusion through academic, extension, and research activities. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Post-doctoral experience; experience with independent research proposal development and a record of funding from agencies and organizations with a national or international scope. A demonstrated ability to carry out independent research; an innovative, collaborative, and/or multidisciplinary research approach; active participation in major professional societies and international meetings; a record of effective, student-centered mentoring and teaching, including integrating technology into instruction and online instruction. APPOINTMENT TERMS This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, research (50%) and teaching (50%) position at the Assistant Professor level, with service expectations. The successful candidate will work at the University of Connecticut’s main campus located in Storrs. Anticipated start date is August 23, 2022. Salary will be commensurate with experience. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. TO APPLY Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19722 and submit the following application materials: A cover letter, Curriculum vitae, Sample journal articles or books/book chapters; Names and contact information for at least three references; For the statements below please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College’s success in achieving its Strategic Vision. Research and scholarship statement up to two pages (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.); Teaching statement up to two pages (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.); Experience and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion statement up to two pages (including broadening participation, integrating culturally-sustaining approaches in instruction and research, promoting equity through scholarship and community engagement, and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.). Only applications submitted through Academic Jobs Online will be accepted. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than October 22, 2021. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval. For further information, please contact the search committee chair: Dr. Robert Fahey robert.fahey@uconn.edu All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp. The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.