Working/Functional Title

Professor, Guyer Seevers Endowed Chair

Position Summary

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Professor, Guyer Seevers Endowed Chair in Natural Resources Conservation

Department of Community Sustainability

Michigan State University

The Department of Community Sustainability (CSUS) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University invites applications for the Guyer-Seevers Endowed Chair in Natural Resources Conservation, a tenure system position at the level of full professor. This position is named after three people who devoted their careers to natural resources conservation: the late Dr. Gordon Guyer, the late Mrs. Norma Guyer, and Dr. Gary L. Seevers. We seek a colleague with a clear vision of establishing an integrated program of research, Extension and teaching who embraces the Department’s core value of community engagement.

We seek candidates who address conservation at the intersections of different spaces, including the physical connectedness of different types of natural resources across the landscape and the overlay of social and political organization at multiple scales. Such a candidate would have the ability to work across boundaries. They would have particular insight on both the importance and challenges of bringing together stakeholders across jurisdictions to tackle landscape-level conservation challenges such as water, climate, biodiversity and environmental justice.

Position duties:

The Guyer-Seevers Chair will be expected to build a nationally prominent, globally relevant program of scholarship with an emphasis on natural resources conservation issues in Michigan and the Great Lakes Region, supporting the Department’s focus on sustainability. The position assignment will be 40% research, 30% Extension/outreach, and 30% teaching.

The Chair will:

• Develop and maintain an active record of high-quality publications and competitive grants.

• Design and deliver high-quality classroom instruction.

• Collaborate with stakeholders on initiatives designed to address critical natural resources issues.

• Cultivate leadership in organizational and civic environments.

• Promote an ethic of sustainability in natural resources policy making and management.

• Influence the development of future natural resources conservation practitioners and academicians.

• Administer the Guyer Public Policy Internship endowed scholarship program.

Department: The Department of Community Sustainability is a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of scholars who engage with colleagues, students, stakeholders, and communities to address sustainability challenges within many environmental, economic, and cultural contexts. We do this by:

• Focusing on sustainability engagement that embraces the decisions inherent in the transition to a more sustainable future;

• Creating and supporting a faculty working on sustainability-related issues;

• Incorporating a systems-thinking view of sustainability into curricula at the undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learner levels; and

• Conducting sustainability scholarship that has value in international, national, regional, and local contexts.

As scholar-practitioners working within an interdisciplinary department, we address critical issues at the interface of natural resources, protected areas, agriculture, recreation, tourism, and communities. Through engaged scholarship, we aim to generate knowledge that will be useful to residents, landowners, government agencies, tourists, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

We seek to understand the dynamic interactions in communities, ecosystems, and the world, as well as opportunities for sustainable development. This work is rooted in our view of a just, engaged, and dynamic society. Toward that end, we are guided by an ethic of responsible and responsive scholarship that engages people and communities.

Consistent with its mission to contribute to the development of sustainable communities, the Department offers three undergraduate majors linked by a common core in community sustainability: (1) Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS); (2) Sustainable Parks, Recreation and tourism (SPRT); and (3) Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE). The Department offers graduate degrees in Community Sustainability (CSUS, M.S. and Ph.D.), Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas Management (STPAM, M.S. and Ph.D.), Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE, M.A.). In both undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department of Community Sustainability embraces international as well as domestic applications, engagement, and opportunities.

Additional information about the Department is available at https://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/.

Extension: This position is supported by Michigan State University Extension, which helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses. The position will be aligned with MSU Extension’s Community, Food, and Environment Institute (CFEI), which houses MSU Extension’s statewide staff who focus on natural resources, community and economic development, food systems, and related programs. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with institute staff in Extension-related programming activities.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension program that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career and other support can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

To Apply: For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu to job number 932021. Upload the following required documents:

1. Letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position addressing research and Extension and/or engagement, highlighting how your experiences align with the position (up to 4 pages);

2. Current curriculum vitae;

3. Statement of leadership and community engagement philosophy that highlights your experience and alignment with our desired qualifications (up to 2 pages);

4. Statement of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals (1-2 pages);

5. Teaching philosophy (1 page); and

6. Contact information for three professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on 03/18/2024 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be address to the Search Committee Chair: John Kerr, jkerr@msu.edu.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life, and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Related to natural resources, sustainabi

Minimum Requirements

The successful candidate will:

• Hold a disciplinary or interdisciplinary PhD in an area related to natural resources, sustainability, the environment, or other relevant fields.

• Have a strong grounding and interest in current literature relating to sustainability issues and problem-solving.

• Have a strong track record of:

• • Research that integrates Extension and/or engagement with various groups or publics resulting in peer-reviewed publications.

• • External funding to support research and Extension/outreach.

• • Collaborative interdisciplinary inquiry that supports natural resources conservation.

• • Commitment to on-the-ground, community-centered, problem solving.

• • Scholarly teaching.

• • Student mentorship.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the natural, social, economic, cultural, and political systems of the Great Lakes region.

• Working relationships with national and/or regional conservation agencies and organizations that operate in the Great Lakes region.

• A history of collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including: natural resources agencies, nonprofits, higher education, Tribal organizations, policymakers, and community groups.

Required Application Materials

1. Letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position addressing research and Extension and/or engagement, highlighting how your experiences align with the position (up to 4 pages);

2. Current curriculum vitae;

3. Statement of leadership and community engagement philosophy that highlights your experience and alignment with our desired qualifications (up to 2 pages);

4. Statement of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals (1-2 pages);

5. Teaching philosophy (1 page); and

6. Contact information for three professional references.

Special Instructions

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/18/2024

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/

Department Statement

The Department of Community Sustainability is a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of scholars who engage with colleagues, students, stakeholders, and communities to address sustainability challenges within many environmental, economic, and cultural contexts. We do this by:

• Focusing on sustainability engagement that embraces the decisions inherent in the transition to a more sustainable future;

• Creating and supporting a faculty working on sustainability-related issues;

• Incorporating a systems-thinking view of sustainability into curricula at the undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learner levels; and

• Conducting sustainability scholarship that has value in international, national, regional, and local contexts.

As scholar-practitioners working within an interdisciplinary department, we address critical issues at the interface of natural resources, protected areas, agriculture, recreation, tourism, and communities. Through engaged scholarship, we aim to generate knowledge that will be useful to residents, landowners, government agencies, tourists, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

We seek to understand the dynamic interactions in communities, ecosystems, and the world, as well as opportunities for sustainable development. This work is rooted in our view of a just, engaged, and dynamic society. Toward that end, we are guided by an ethic of responsible and responsive scholarship that engages people and communities.

Consistent with its mission to contribute to the development of sustainable communities, the Department offers three undergraduate majors linked by a common core in community sustainability: (1) Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS); (2) Sustainable Parks, Recreation and tourism (SPRT); and (3) Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE). The Department offers graduate degrees in Community Sustainability (CSUS, M.S. and Ph.D.), Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas Management (STPAM, M.S. and Ph.D.), Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE, M.A.). In both undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department of Community Sustainability embraces international as well as domestic applications, engagement, and opportunities.

Additional information about the Department is available at https://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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