Description
The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences (NRES) Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, invites applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Landscape-Scale Working Lands Conservation, starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Working lands, including forests, farms, and ranches, are key to advancing state-wide conservation, environmental management, and climate-adaptation goals. Consistent with Cal Poly’s polytechnic mission, the ideal candidate will show a strong interest and ability to prepare our students to serve as future leaders across the diverse organizations advancing landscape-scale conservation on working lands across California and beyond. The ideal candidate will bring innovative ways to expand the lower division core and complementary upper division courses in the Environmental Management and Protection major. The ability to link new courses to the Forest and Fire Sciences major would be considered a strength.
The teaching and scholarship area of the ideal candidate would broadly center on using biophysical approaches at a landscape-scale to address the suite of conservation and environmental management issues facing working lands in the western United States. Relevant areas of expertise may include, for example, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and resilience, water resource management, carbon management, or related fields that address conservation and productivity goals across multiple land uses and jurisdictions. Applicants with a demonstrated ability to partner with diverse environmental resource managers and rights holders to advance teaching and scholarship are encouraged to apply. A vision and ability to leverage Cal Poly’s more than 9,000 acres of working lands, such as Swanton Pacific Ranch, to advance experiential learning and applied research is highly valued.
Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:
Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156
Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Forestry or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
Candidates must demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to communicate well with peers, students, industry partners, and the public. Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings are required. Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching are required. A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments, is required. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program that involves undergraduate and/or graduate students, and collaboration with key external partners.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with a strong track record of applied research in areas with clear application to landscape-scale conservation, environmental management, and resilience of environmental resources critical in the West. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working collaboratively with partners including, for example, public lands managers, the forestry industry, the agricultural industry, state agencies, tribal governments and organizations, and non-governmental organizations to advance teaching and scholarship. Applicants with industry experience, university level teaching experience, a record of successful research, and the demonstrated ability to generate external funding to support student research will all be given preference.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.
Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The NRES Department offers B.S. degrees in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences, Environmental Management and Protection, and Forestry and Natural Resources, and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management. The programs enroll approximately 850 undergraduate students and 20 graduate students and are supported by 23 tenured or tenure track faculty. The department has access to a variety of on campus and off campus field and lab resources to support hands on instruction and research, including multiple ranches and agricultural fields on campus as well as Cal Poly’s 3,000-acre Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz county.
HOW TO APPLY
Review will begin on August 24, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by that date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) goals and plans for research 5) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (6) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.
*Universal Student Success Statement Prompt- Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Nick Babin, [email protected].
Advertised: July 02, 2026 (8:35 PM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled
