Assistant Professor of Forestry

~ The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute, which is housed on NMHU’s main campus, utilizes NMHU faculty members and students in projects throughout the state. ~

Building upon our current strengths, the incumbent will be expected to contribute to the development of a nationally recognized education, research, and outreach program focused on forest or wildland fire management and natural resource management with a concentration on the Southern Rocky Mountains and Southwestern ecosystems. NMHU has strong ties with the USDA Forest Service, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, NM Forestry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and other private and non-governmental organizations and is growing its international footprint.

Position Overview

New Mexico Highlands University’s Department of Natural Resources Management invites applicants passionate about student success, teaching, and applied research to fill a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position beginning in Fall 2019 in Geographic Information Science and Geospatial Analysis. The position responsibilities include 75% Faculty duties and 25% Director duties as Director of the Geospatial Applications in Natural Sciences (GAINS) Laboratory.

We seek a candidate specializing in the theory and application of Geographic Information Science and Geospatial Analysis in natural resources management including GIS, remote sensing, and quantitative spatial analysis and spatial statistics; capable of securing external funding and conducting research and scholarship that engages both undergraduate and graduate students; focused on continued development and maintenance of the GIS teaching lab and the GIS research lab; performing service to the University, professional organizations, and the broader community of natural resources stakeholders; capable of advising both undergraduate and graduate students; capable of contributing to the modernization and improvement of both curricula; and capable of establishing relationships with industry, community, non-governmental organization, and agency partners. Specific courses that would be taught by the successful candidate on a rotating basis include: Surveying and Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Analysis, Advanced GIS, GIS capstone course, and other courses as required. The teaching load is 9 credit hours per semester (2-3 classes per semester) with other duties related to maintaining the GAINS research and teaching laboratories.

The Department of Natural Resources Management (NRM) includes the disciplines of Forestry and Environmental Geology that work collaboratively to provide opportunities for students to attain an exceptional education in natural resources management. New Mexico Highlands University’s Forestry program is the only four-year Forestry program in New Mexico leading to a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, and the program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The successful candidate will serve as a member of the Forestry faculty but will be expected to collaborate across disciplines.

Our department strengths include a focus on understanding natural systems in terms of surface processes, forest ecology and management, applied geology, hydrogeology, forestry and natural resources management planning, and managing anthropogenically altered environments and ecosystems. The NRM Department offers instructional programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry with concentrations in Forest Management and Wildland Fire, a Bachelor of Arts in Conservation Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geology with concentrations in Environmental Science, Geology, and Water Resources. The Natural Resources Management Department offers a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) minor and GIS undergraduate and graduate certificates. The NRM department also offers a Master of Science in Natural Science, with concentrations in Geology or Environmental Science and Management.

All applicants should have a demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively with faculty from a wide range of disciplines, cultures, and academic backgrounds and to advise and teach an undergraduate and graduate student body that is diverse with respect to socio-economic status, culture, and career path. NMHU Natural Resources Management faculty work closely with the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (housed at New Mexico Highlands University) and the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center (administered by New Mexico State University and located nearby in Mora, NM) on research and outreach projects throughout the state.

Responsibilities

Faculty duties and expectations are as follows:

• This position will serve as a member of the Forestry faculty with a 75% teaching appointment and a 25% appointment as Director of the Geospatial Applications in Natural Sciences (GAINS) Laboratory. The required teaching load will be 9 credit hours per semester (2-3 classes per semester, see below), with other duties related to maintaining the GAINS research and teaching laboratories.
• Specific courses that would be taught by the successful candidate on a rotating basis include: Surveying and Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Analysis, Advanced GIS, GIS capstone course, and other courses as required.
• The successful candidate will also be required to advise undergraduate and graduate students, develop an externally funded research program, collaborate on research and teaching initiatives across disciplines and with non-university partners, serve on departmental and university committees, and participate in the shared governance of the university.

Duties associated with the 25% appointment as the Director of the GAINS Laboratory are as follows:

• Oversee hardware and software maintenance for the GAINS lab computers, printer(s), plotter(s), surveying equipment, and GPS units.
• Provide map and poster scanning/printing services for NMHU faculty, staff, and students.
• Issue and maintain accountability for surveying and GPS equipment.
• Manage consumable supplies such as paper, ink, and office supplies for the lab and assigned staff.
• Supervise a minimum of two interns per semester in conducting GIS project work and lab maintenance functions.
• Provide project-specific GIS technical advice to NMHU faculty and students across all disciplines.
• Teach GIS short courses to NMHU (e.g., during faculty development week) and regional public, as time permits.
• Serve as Organizational Account Administrator for NMHU’s ESRI ArcGIS Online account.
• Obtain and manage grants and contracts that utilize GAINS resources and provide student learning opportunities and supply/equipment resources for the continued operation of the GAINS lab.
• Contribute technical advice and services to NMHU research and academic initiatives that have a GIS component.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in Geography or a closely related natural resources field (e.g. Forestry or Conservation Biology) is required, with a Ph.D. highly preferred.
• Candidates must have demonstrated proficiency in geographic information systems technology, geospatial analysis, and the use of remotely sensed data.
• Demonstrated experience in data collection and management, particularly of forestry, natural resources, and/or geology data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, with established experience in communicating with scientific and public audiences through a variety of media formats, including peer-reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated potential to develop an externally funded research program with the ability to support graduate and undergraduate research is desired.
• Applicants with a Master of Science degree with extensive experience in geospatial technology and applications are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Geography or a closely related natural resources field (e.g. Forestry or Conservation Biology).
• Post-doctoral experience and at least one degree (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Science, Forest Biology are highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of GIS and remote sensing and associated software and hardware.
• Broad knowledge of GIS applications in forestry, natural resources management, and geology.
• Ability to use and teach the use of modern survey tools (e.g., total station, laser range finders, gravimeter, magnetometers, GNSS equipment, etc.).
• Ability to learn how to operate/teach operation of modern survey and field data collection tools.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to direct students in accomplishment of tasks and courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Ability to interface well with other science disciplines at NMHU in collaborative efforts.
• Ability to bring current research into the classroom to show the application of natural resources concepts and practices to real world problems.
• Ability to work well and safely with students in classroom, laboratory, and field environments.
• Ability to engage graduate students from various majors and cultural backgrounds to design a master’s thesis that shows their ability to conduct technical research and effectively communicate results to professional and lay groups.
• Ability to develop an active externally funded research and/or educational outreach program that engages graduate and undergraduate students.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload: 1) A Letter of Application/Cover Letter; 2) Curriculum Vitae; 3) Unofficial copies of advanced degree transcripts; 4) Teaching Philosophy; and 5) Statement of Research Interests.
• References will be contacted in conjunction with a phone and/or on-campus interview and official transcripts should be requested upon acceptance of the on-campus interview.
• For more detailed information regarding the position you may contact: Dr. Kyle Rose. For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or TDD 505-454-3003.

~ New Mexico Highlands University is an EEO Employer. ~