Summary: The Departments of Biology and Geography & Sustainable Planning seek an affiliate faculty member, full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-track, specializing in instruction of geographic information systems, and geospatial applications in conservation and natural resource management. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seeking an interdisciplinary, highly engaged educator who is excited about the opportunity to collaborate on curriculum development and opportunities to advance applied geographic information systems (GIS) by integrating geospatial technological advancements in projects and classes.
Required Qualifications and Education:
- M.S. in Natural Resources Management, Geography, or related field, with demonstrated GIS applications;
- M.S. degree must be completed prior to start of fall 2023 semester;
- Experience using and applying geographic information systems to address natural resources-related issues. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience with ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro software; geospatial database management, geospatial data structures, spatial analyses, cartography, and the ArcGIS Online suite, including, but not limited to StoryMaps, Field Maps and Drone2map;
- Demonstrated potential for successful college-level teaching;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility;
- Creativity and flexibility;
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. This could include experience with inclusive pedagogies; research relating to marginalized populations or social inequality; engagement with community-based social justice work; and other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship and service.
Preferred Qualifications and Education:
- Demonstrated ability and vision to collaborate and build a multidisciplinary initiative in pursuit of enhancing undergraduate education pertaining to applied GIS and natural resource management;
- FAA licensed drone pilot.
Responsibilities: Duties each semester include a 12-14-contact hour teaching load of courses within the Natural Resources Management and Geography & Sustainable Planning programs. The successful candidate will teach applied GIS to undergraduate students in several disciplines including Geography & Sustainable Planning, Natural Resources Management, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries & Aquatic Science. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to enhance the current geospatial program offerings at Grand Valley State University and help develop new courses using contemporary geospatial technologies. The successful candidate also will help develop and strengthen relationships within other departments and colleges at GVSU to provide undergraduate students with valuable and marketable GIS skills. The ideal candidate would have teaching interests with the potential to engage diverse communities within West Michigan.
Salary/Benefits: The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child-care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit: Affiliate Faculty Benefits - Benefits - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).
Department/College: The departments of Biology and Geography & Sustainable Planning at Grand Valley State University place emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. Faculty in each department uphold the values of a liberal education while providing intensive engagement and experiential learning. High-impact field and lab experiences and community collaboration are hallmarks of our relevant, interdisciplinary curriculum. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community. Regarding opportunities in geospatial sciences, the Geography & Sustainable Planning Department offers a major in Geography with Geospatial Technology emphasis, minor in Geospatial Technology, certificates in GIS and Environmental Remote Sensing, and a certificate in Applied GIS in Natural Resources.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.
Campus/University: Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).
How to Apply: A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU, (2) curriculum vitae, (3)* teaching philosophy, (4)* a statement that describes ongoing and anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body, (5)* support letters from three professional references, and (6) graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply). Apply online at Open Positions - GVSU Jobs - Grand Valley State University and select “Apply now”. The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Email questions about the position to: Dr. Alexandra Locher (lochera@gvsu.edu).
- Within the application form, please upload 'Teaching Philosophy' to the 'Leadership Philosophy' document type, 'DEI statement' to the 'Teaching Statement' document type, and Support Letters to 'Other' document type.
Application Deadline: The review process will begin on July 24, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.