Assistant Teaching Professor in Forestry, Fire Ecology, and Natural Resource Management

Assistant Teaching Professor in Forestry, Fire Ecology, and Natural Resource Management

Location: School of Forestry
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 607589
Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation's preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

About NAU

Northern Arizona University serves almost 30,000 students. We are a vibrant community, with 21,000 students in Flagstaff-the home of our largest campus-and the remainder online or at our 20+ statewide locations. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.

Committed to an inclusive university environment, NAU has all the benefits of a large institution with a personal touch. We carefully balance teaching, scholarship, and service for faculty members. Supporting our core value of student-centrism, NAU's faculty members promote learning and help students reach academic milestones.

Flagstaff is an outdoorsy mountain town with four seasons and a thriving cultural scene. Located at 7,000 feet, Flagstaff houses 70,000 people and sits at the base of the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

For more about inclusive excellence at NAU, visit the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Access .

About the Department/College

The School of Forestry (SoF) has 25 faculty (tenure-, teaching- and research-track) administering an SAF-accredited Forestry BS degree plus an active graduate (an online MF, and in-person MF, and MS and Ph.D. degrees) research program in forestry. Our building is shared with the USDA Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station. Flagstaff has a population of 76,000 year-round residents and, at 7,000 feet elevation, is in the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. The SoF has a long tradition of experiential learning for NAU forestry students in the NAU Centennial Forest and neighboring national forests. The NAU Centennial Forest is the University's research, teaching, and demonstration forest - a cooperative venture between Northern Arizona University and the Arizona State Land Department. At nearly 50,000 acres, the Centennial Forest covers the spectrum from windblown desert grasslands to stately ponderosa pine forests. Flagstaff and Coconino County are rich in sites of anthropological/historical significance and feature numerous national parks and monuments throughout the Colorado Plateau, including the Grand Canyon.

Northern Arizona University is a 28,000-student institution with its main campus in Flagstaff, a four-season community at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks. The total student enrollment for the SoF this fall semester is 344. NAU's emphasis on undergraduate education is enhanced by its graduate programs, research, and distance learning. The University is committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment.

About the Position

The School of Forestry (SOF) at Northern Arizona University is excited to announce its new AZ Wildfire Initiative. There are three facets to this program that include: 1) enhancing workforce development and education; 2) science dissemination and outreach; and 3) community preparedness for wildfire. To support this new initiative and other SOF needs, we invite applications for the position of Assistant Teaching Professor in Forestry, Fire Ecology, and Natural Resource Management. This position is a 9-month, non-tenure-eligible appointment (80% Teaching, 0 - 10% Research, 10- 20% Service). The position is renewable based on the availability of funds, effective performance, and program needs.

We seek applicants with expertise in wildland fire, forestry, forest/rangeland ecology, and natural resource management or whose interests will support, build, and complement the School of Forestry's and NAU's programs in related areas.

The preferred start date for this position is January 1, 2024, although there is potential for a later start date during the spring 2024 semester.

Responsibilities Include:
  • Teach in-person courses, on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus, and online courses, in support of our undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Potential courses could include Fire Monitoring and Modeling; Post-fire Environment and Management; Forest Health; Measurements and Fire Monitoring; Forest Hydrology; Communities and Wildfire; Co-Production and Translational Science; GIS Tools in Forestry; Wildlife Management in Forestry and Fire, and Applied Study Design and Analysis.
  • Serve on committees in the School of Forestry, the College of Forestry, Environment, and Natural Sciences, and NAU.

This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in wildland fire, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, or a closely related field conferred by the start date.
  • At least one degree in forestry.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated teaching experience in wildland fire, forestry, ecology, or natural resource management.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing courses.
  • Demonstrated teaching effectiveness in in-person and online courses.
  • Demonstrated proficiency using relevant software and technologies related to forestry, ecology, wildland fire, and natural resource management.


Compensation & Benefits

Anticipated salary range is $64,000 to $65,010. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page . Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the Conditions of Faculty Service . Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment. If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election. More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU HR benefits page .

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report . The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Submit Your Application

Vacancy will remain open until filled. Applications received before December 18, 2023 will receive full consideration.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the job description (if viewing this position through the NAU HR website). Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to nau.jobs , follow the 'Current Openings' link, locate vacancy 607589, and then "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

Application must include (saved as PDF and/or Word documents):
  • a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position;
  • a curriculum vitae; and
  • names and contact information for three references.

  • Please do not include any other documents.

    If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

    If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu , or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

    Equal Employment Opportunity

    Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

    Know Your Rights Poster

    NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.

    To apply, visit https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=2&JobOpeningId=607589&PostingSeq=1

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