University of Wisconsin-River Falls
College of Agriculture, Food and Environ Sciences
Department of Plant and Earth Science
Assistant Professor – Soil Health

The University of Wisconsin River Falls, a member of the University of Wisconsin System, is located in scenic west central Wisconsin, 30 miles from the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. Year-round arts, cultural and recreational events are easily accessible from River Falls. UWRF’s 6,100 undergraduate and graduate students pursue degrees in four colleges Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; Arts and Sciences; Education and Professional Studies; and Business and Economics.
The University provides an excellent environment for learning, emphasizing the importance of faculty-student interaction in classrooms, laboratories, academic advising, and co-curricular activities. A favorable student-faculty ratio affords opportunity for meaningful interchange between faculty and students. Strong interests in teaching, research and community service are highly valued. More information about UWRF can be found at: http://www.uwrf.edu/workhere/.
Faculty members are expected to accomplish a record of scholarly achievement, including (but not limited to) mentoring of undergraduate research projects. Teaching and research facilities include newly renovated state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratory spaces, a 475-acre multi-enterprise livestock and crop laboratory farm, as well as a greenhouse facility. The successful candidate will be a member of a dynamic and multidisciplinary department that includes majors in Crop and Soil Science, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Conservation and Environmental Planning, and Geology with opportunities to collaborate among other disciplines in CAFES. More information about the college and department can be found http://www.uwrf.edu/CAFES/
The Position: This is a full-time 9-month tenure-track undergraduate teaching position (100%) in our Crop and Soil Science program in the Plant and Earth Science Department. The ideal candidate will have strong interests and ability to teach soil and water conservation and soil physics. Additional expertise in hydric and wetland soils and the impact of soil health in different agricultural systems will be beneficial. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision, and other funding sources.

Appointment date: August 26, 2019.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching 100%
• Teach the following courses: Introductory Soil Science, Soil and Water Conservation, Soil Physics, Hydric Soils and Wetland Environments plus additional courses depending on the candidate’s expertise.
• Modify existing courses or develop new courses, as needed, to create a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for professional careers.
• Incorporate new pedagogies, active learning techniques, and technologies into courses, with the objective of creating strong, dynamic, and effective courses that engage students.
• Engage in scholarly activity, which can include developing a research program, investigating the scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentoring undergraduate research projects, in addition to participation in professional organizations.
• Participate in co-curricular activities including advising of students in curriculum and career planning, coaching or co-coaching the collegiate Soil Judging team, involvement in student organizations and, supervising internships.
• Establish collaborations with appropriate industry partners to facilitate internships and other learning opportunities for students and help ensure relevancy of programs and curricula.
• Participate in faculty governance and service activities at the departmental, college, and university levels
• Engage in community service where academic expertise can be shared.

Qualifications Required:
• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or closely related field. ABD with preferred completion by date of hire or ABD candidates may be considered for a conditional appointment and must complete their Ph.D. no later than December 31, 2019.
• Ability to successfully teach dynamic and innovative lecture, laboratory, hybrid, and/or other types of courses to undergraduate students.
• Interest in, and demonstrated ability to teach courses in soil science, soil and water conservation, hydric soils, and wetland environments.
• Demonstrated scholarly activity as evidenced by research activities or involvement in extension or professional organizations.
• Strong interest to participate in co-curricular activities including advising of students in curriculum and career planning, coaching or co-coaching the collegiate Soil Judging team, involvement in student organizations, supervising internships, and undergraduate research mentoring.
• Demonstrated expertise and applied research in soil and water conservation and soil physics.
• Knowledge of agricultural production systems and practices common to the United States.

Qualifications Preferred:
• Demonstrated teaching experience at the college level or professional development/coursework related to teaching in higher education.
• Experience with hydric soils and/or wetland delineation.
• Knowledge or field experience related to environmental impacts of agricultural production including, water quality issues, and implementation of best management practices.
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in developing collaborations with industry partners.
Materials not submitted through https://jobs.uwrf.edu/ cannot be considered.
Submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• A two-part statement, not to exceed 2 pages, covering
o your primary and secondary teaching interests, experience in classroom, and any evidence of successful teaching at the college level
o your applied research and scholarly activity agenda (other document)
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions where degrees were obtained (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired)
• 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. Natasha Macnack, Search Committee Chair Plant and Earth Science Department
natasha.macnack@uwrf.edu
Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials by January 20, 2019. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
Through its strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction, UW-River Falls will vigorously pursue three goals: Distinctive Academic Excellence; Global Education and Engagement; Innovation and Partnerships. In support of our first goal, UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research; we therefore seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activity. The university is also interested in applicants who can support and extend our partnerships and initiatives in Asia (particularly China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India) and in Latin America. The university’s strategic focus on international education encourages faculty to develop courses/pedagogy that facilitate the transition of international inbound students and out-bound UWRF students and enhance our curricular and programmatic partnerships in these regions.
UW-River Falls Diversity Statement: We declare that diversity and inclusivity are core values. We dedicate ourselves to build a culture grounded in principles of equity, social justice, and excellence. We fundamentally affirm and embrace the multiple identities, values, belief systems, and cultural practices of all individuals and communities. We will address fundamental issues of bias, discrimination, and exclusion.