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Posting Detail Information

Working TitleAssistant Professor - Natural Resource Policy and Governance

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Posting Number202500374F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$80,000 – $85,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit

The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is dedicated to building a community of people entrusted with sustaining forests and rangelands for current and future generations. The Department currently has 14 tenure-track faculty, 4 non-tenure-track faculty, and numerous research staff with recognized expertise in forest and rangeland ecology and management, Indigenous natural resource stewardship, natural resource policy and planning, restoration ecology, and wildland fire science and management. The Department offers undergraduate majors in Forestry and Rangeland Stewardship, Natural Resource Management, Restoration Ecology, and Fire and Emergency Services Administration as well as M.S., Ph.D. degrees, and a professional Master of Natural Resources Stewardship. Faculty members may also direct graduate students in the interdisciplinary Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. The Department has over 400 undergraduate majors, 60 MS and PhD students, and 170 MNRS students, and a vibrant community of alumni, partners, and supporters.

The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship is housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources, which is home to five academic departments and several centers and institutes such as the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, the Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, the Geospatial Centroid, and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. These programs, institutes, and centers embody Colorado State University’s Land Grant mission to make the world a better place through research, education, and outreach. Strong relationships and partnerships across departments and colleges at Colorado State University, and with local, state, and federal agencies, Tribal organizations, and private sector entities enable applied research opportunities for the successful candidate.

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is a Land Grant institution and among the nation’s leading research universities. The University enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 170,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000-foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

CSU Land Acknowledgement (https://landacknowledgment.colostate.edu/)

Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes

% Research50

% Teaching40

% Service10

% Administration0

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on12/15/2025

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Position End Date

Position Summary

The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is seeking applications and nominations for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in Natural Resource Policy and Governance. Applications from those interested in investigating, teaching, and contributing to the innovation of policy and governance dimensions concerning the conservation, restoration, sustainable use, and stewardship of forest and rangeland social-ecological systems are especially encouraged to apply. We seek scholars who will develop an internationally recognized, innovative, independent, and extramurally funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students with interest and expertise in one or more of the following policy and governance arenas: climate adaptation, risk management, and sustainability of forest and rangeland social-ecological systems; restoration of disturbed forest and/or rangeland ecosystems; wildland fire policy and governance; tribal policy and governance; or water resources relating to forest and rangeland social-ecological systems.

In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to exhibit leadership in, and passion for, teaching and contributing to undergraduate and graduate programs in the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department. These include two undergraduate natural resource policy courses and at least one graduate-level course, and integrating policy and governance topics within curricula across degree programs. Applicants should clearly demonstrate a commitment to Colorado State University’s Principles of Community (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/principles-of-community).

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Special Requirements/Other - The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Required Job Qualifications

+ Ph.D. in natural resource policy and governance, or a closely-related field

+ Demonstrated expertise in forest and/or rangeland social-ecological systems

+ The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Demonstrated potential to develop an externally funded research program that advances knowledge, development, and innovation of policy and governance pertaining to forest and/or rangeland social-ecological systems.

+ Demonstrated potential to sustain an excellent publication record.

+ Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.

+ Demonstrated potential to successfully engage in collaborative interactions with and outreach to natural resource policy-makers, managers, landowners, rights holders, and the general public.

+ Demonstrated commitment to Colorado State University’s Principles of Community.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than December 15, 2025 for full consideration. The search committee will begin reviewing applications in late January of 2026.

Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials.

A complete application consists of:

+ Cover letterexpressing the applicant’s interest in, and alignment with, the position – clearly address how your experiences meets or exceeds each qualification listed in the job announcement.

+ Curriculum vitae

+ A single file containing statements of teaching philosophy and research interests(not to exceed three pages total) uploaded into the “Other” slot.

+ References– please include in your application names and contact information for three (3) professional references including at least one supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Search ContactTony Cheng, Professor, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship: [email protected]

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryResearch

Duty/Responsibility

+ The incumbent is expected to develop and sustain an extramurally funded and innovative research program focused on innovative approaches to examining policy and governance dimensions concerning the conservation, use, restoration, and stewardship of natural resources, with emphasis in forest and rangeland social-ecological systems.

Percentage Of Time35-55%

Job Duty CategoryTeaching

Duty/Responsibility

+ The incumbent is expected to instruct two undergraduate courses in natural resource policy, and a graduate course in the department on a topic related to their field of study and aligned with the department’s existing graduate degree curricula.

Percentage Of Time35-55%

Job Duty CategoryService and Outreach

Duty/Responsibility

+ The incumbent is expected to serve on department, college, and university committees, contribute to their respective academic professions, and engage in outreach activities with audiences outside the university who would benefit from the incumbent’s expertise.

Percentage Of Time5-15%

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * IMPORTANT NOTE: This position is located at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado which is approximately 55 MILES NORTH OF DENVER. Are you willing and able to accept work at this location?

+ Yes

+ No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents