Occidental Chair of Energy and Environmental Policy

The University of Wyoming seeks an Occidental Chair of Energy and Environmental Policy
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UW_Occidental_Chair_Profile.pdf
Location: Laramie, Wyoming

The Position:
The Occidental Chair of Energy and Environmental Policy will hold an appointment in the Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources (Haub School) with an affiliation to the School of Energy Resources (SER). UW seeks an accomplished and creative individual to provide research, teaching, outreach/engagement, and service consistent with the educational mission of the University of Wyoming. The Haub School values interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problem solving; scholarship that can inform real-world solutions; tangible, place-based experiences to develop critical thinking skills in the next generation of leaders and decision-makers; and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment on campus and beyond. SER was created in 2006 to enhance UW’s energy-related education, research and outreach; to that end, SER directs and integrates cutting-edge energy research and academic programs and bridges academics and industry through targeted research programs.

UW welcomes applicants with demonstrated commitment toward and experience in research, teaching, and outreach at the nexus of energy and the environment policy. Applicants are welcome from a variety of disciplines including public policy, environmental and energy policy, political science, economics, and law. UW seeks candidates with expertise specifically related to carbon management, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); additional areas of focus could broadly include: fossil fuel and renewable energy generation, energy finance and taxation, land use and conservation, energy intensive economies, and socioeconomic and environmental tradeoffs. This fundamentally interdisciplinary position is envisioned to engage in research and outreach efforts with multiple units on campus. UW is especially interested in applicants who can advance an understanding and application of policy concepts in support of sound decision-making in Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region, and at the national level.

The successful candidate will engage in impactful and applied research and scholarship that advances the field of energy and environmental policy; collaborate with policymakers, communities, and private industry to support real-world decision making; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise; and participate in university and professional service. UW seeks candidates who can demonstrate excellent interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching, outstanding communication skills, and capacity to advance the Haub School’s reputation and vision. A competitive applicant will be prepared to engage in policy, outreach, and real-world practices focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of approaches, particularly through carbon capture utilization and storage projects. The preferred candidate may be of any rank, but those with a record sufficient to be appointed at the associate or full professor level will receive priority.

The Occidental Chair of Energy and Environmental Policy is supported by an endowment with funds that may be used for research, conference travel, graduate students, sponsoring visiting lecturers, and other activities relevant to the position.

The preferred start date is August 2021, but flexibility exists based on individual circumstances.

Qualifications:
Required:

• A PhD or other terminal degree in a relevant field of study.
• An academic or equivalent record consistent with a chaired faculty appointment.
• Demonstrated experience teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Demonstrated experience developing and conducting a robust program of research relevant to energy and environmental policy.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct an outreach and engagement program with partners and stakeholders outside the University.
• Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and/or pedagogy.
• Knowledge of international and U.S. (federal, regional, and state) low-carbon and carbon management policies.
• A general understanding of greenhouse gas mitigation technologies of relevance to the energy industry (e.g. CCUS, BECCS, methane, and other greenhouse gases abatement).

Desired:

• Knowledge of the complex interactions among environmental systems, low-carbon policies, greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, and commercial energy operations.
• Experience with quantitative interdisciplinary policy analysis in the context of reducing the GHG impacts of energy operations on the environment.

• Experience working with energy and environmental decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Experience or desire to focus on natural resource challenges in the Rocky Mountain region.
• An awareness of, and sensitivity to, natural resource-based economies, communities, and workforce, including the impact of all energy systems and technologies on the natural environment and wildlife.

About the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources:
The University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources advances the understanding and resolution of environment and natural resource issues. The Haub School’s academic programs are a nexus for interdisciplinary environment and natural resources education and inquiry, including a new BS in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management and a proposed MS in Environment, Natural Resources, and Society. The School’s curricula emphasize collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches that prepare students to become thoughtful future leaders and problem-solvers in environment and natural resources fields. Students learn in the classroom, in real-world enterprises, in Wyoming’s outstanding natural outdoor laboratory, and overseas. The Haub School has a strong community-based culture and has recently experienced unprecedented growth in students, faculty, outreach, and UW financial support. In FY20, the Haub School has 380 undergraduate and 58 graduate students enrolled. The School includes 18 faculty and seven staff; additional academic support is provided by professors of practice, academic professionals, and visiting scholars. Wyoming and the western United States enjoy an unparalleled richness of natural resources and face many complex challenges regarding the management of those resources. This complexity provides an opportunity for faculty, students, and staff at the Haub School to work with partners to learn about issues, to bring knowledge to bear on those issues, and to facilitate collaborative decision making.

The Ruckelshaus Institute, a division of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming, advances the understanding and resolution of complex environmental and natural resources challenges and supports stakeholder-driven solutions to environmental challenges by conducting and communicating relevant research and promoting collaborative decision making.

To learn more about the Ruckelshaus Institute and its history, click here: www.uwyo.edu/haub/ruckelshaus-institute

Follow these links to learn more about the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources: 2019-2020 Year in Review and Strategic Plan 2018-2022.

About the School of Energy Resources:
The School of Energy Resources (SER) facilitates interdisciplinary academic and research programs in engineering and science, economics, and environment and natural resources policy to address critical, energy-related issues faced by our society. With a focus on energy-driven economic development for the state of Wyoming, SER leads UW’s talent and resources for interdisciplinary energy research and outreach, fulfilling Wyoming’s promise to be a global leader in a thriving and sustainable energy future. SER collaborates with stakeholders at the state, national, and international levels to advance energy technologies and policies to grow and support Wyoming’s robust energy sector. Its research programs focus on maximizing energy production, minimizing environmental footprint and leading technology innovation, always to benefit the state. Through its Centers of Excellence, SER bridges the gap between academia and industry – and ensures that the technology and policy solutions developed can be deployed. As global energy issues change, the demand grows for professionals with a multidisciplinary background and competency in energy resources. SER is dedicated to training those future leaders. Offering a growing B.S. degree in Energy Resource Management & Development, and funding graduate students in departments across campus devoted to energy research, SER is training the future energy leaders of Wyoming. Faculty in SER are internationally recognized energy experts who are actively involved in both energy research and teaching. Committed to achieving top learning outcomes, SER faculty develop students’ curiosity and capacity for complex problem-solving.

About the Institution:
Nestled amid the beauty of two mountain ranges in southeastern Wyoming, you will find the nationally recognized teaching and research institution, the University of Wyoming (UW). Established as a land-grant institution in 1886 when Wyoming was still a territory, UW has since grown to nearly 200 areas of study, drawing 12,500+ students from all 50 states and 90 countries. UW is known for its accomplished faculty and world-class facilities, its small student/faculty ratio and quality undergraduate and graduate programs within its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Business, Education, Engineering & Applied Science, Health Sciences, Law, School of Energy Resources, and Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. To learn more: http://www.uwyo.edu

Throughout its existence, UW has been the only four-year university in the state of Wyoming, though it maintains close relationships with the state’s seven community colleges. UW’s global impact begins with innovative undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and extends through state and federal partnerships and recent initiatives such as the Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research and the School of Energy Resources. UW has played important roles in the lives of students, Wyoming residents, and communities for 133 years.

• Recognized by Forbes in 2019 as one of America’s Best Value Colleges.
• Rated as a “Top 15 Outdoor Adventure College” by Outside magazine.
• Wyoming ranks #4 in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best States for Higher Education.”

The University community is working collaboratively to help the University reinforce and strengthen its reputation as it adapts to changing economic factors in the state and beyond. The University’s strategic roadmap, “Breaking Through 2017-2022: A Strategic Plan for the University of Wyoming,” shows that it’s an exciting time to be a part of UW as it embarks on new and exciting opportunities.

Location: Located in Laramie, Wyoming, a town of more than 31,000 with a unique blend of sophistication and western hospitality, UW not only provides an environment for success but also offers varied academic and lifestyle opportunities. Laramie is a great place to live and work as it boasts a low cost of living with no state income tax as well as incredible outdoor recreational opportunities, an eclectic downtown area, and a great public school system.

Why Consider the Opportunity:

• High Performing Programs. The Haub School and SER are “shining stars” in the University and the region with innovative programming, an increasing portfolio of funding, growing enrollment, an expanding research portfolio, and happy and engaged students, faculty, and staff.
• Impact. The Chair will play an impactful role in the state and region in energy and environmental policy development. The industry partnership puts the University at the table with those doing the work of advancing the technologies and practices.
• Interdisciplinary Work. The Chair will play a role that lives at the intersection of policy, science, economics, and the environment.
• Culture. Both programs (Haub School and SER) display high morale, enthusiasm, and passion. Students receive an unprecedented level of personal attention and support with relevant opportunities for engagement, work, service, and scholarship. The faculty are collegial and collaborative.
• Capital Improvements. New and modern campus facilities have been developed over the past 20 years through massive capital investment on the part of the state and private donors.
• Location. Laramie is a great place to live and work. Laramie boasts a low cost of living, low property taxes, and no personal state income tax. The area offers incredible outdoor recreational opportunities, an eclectic downtown area, and a great public school system.
• Benefits. Highly competitive benefits package, including a retirement benefit that features a state contribution of 14.44% of an employee’s gross salary and excellent health benefits.

To Apply:
The University of Wyoming, in consultation with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., will begin a confidential review of application materials immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by April 26, 2021 will be given first consideration. Please submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest upon application. All applications and nominations will be held in confidence. To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su232

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Stephanie Rivas-Fowler
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: (530) 677-9945
sfowler@summitsearchsolutions.com

Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. The University’s policy has been and will continue to be, one of nondiscrimination, offering equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, pregnancy, or other status protected by state and federal statutes or University regulations. The University’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all matters relating to its education programs and activities including recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, demotions, transfers, and all other terms and conditions of employment. To review the EEO is the Law Poster and its Supplement, please see The Diversity & Fairness page.

Pursuant to Wyoming State law, W.S. 19-14-102, as amended, an honorably discharged veteran who has been a resident of the state of Wyoming for one (1) year or more at any time prior to the date when the veteran applies for employment, or any surviving spouse who was married to such veteran at the time of the veteran’s death, who is receiving federal survivor benefits based on the veteran’s military service and is applying for employment, shall receive an interview preference during the applicant screening process with the University of Wyoming. At the time of application, the applicant must possess the business capacity, competency, education or other qualifications required for the position. If disabilities do not materially interfere with performance of job duties, disabled veterans will be given preference over able-bodied veterans. Appropriate documentation of veteran status must be provided at the time of application as outlined in the application process. No preference will be given to a veteran currently employed by a public department.

The University of Wyoming conducts background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.