The Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) (https://qcnr.usu.edu/envs/), in the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR) (https://qcnr.usu.edu/) at Utah State University (USU), invites applications for a broadly trained scholar in recreation resource management and nature-based tourism in the tenure-track position of Assistant Professor. We are especially interested in candidates who will broaden existing department strength in Recreation Resource Management. This full-time (nine-month) faculty position is based at USU’s Moab Statewide Campus (https://statewide.usu.edu/moab/) in Moab, Utah, where ENVS currently has a cluster of three other faculty. This is a faculty position with teaching as the primary role but with opportunity for an active research program. The position will start August 2024.

Review of applications begins December 8, 2023.

For further information contact Dr. Roslynn McCann, Search Committee Chair at roslynn.mccann@usu.edu. 

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and deliver educational programs from USU-Moab with the potential to capitalize on Moab, Utah’s standing as one of the nation’s premier locations for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.
• Build a community-engaged teaching and research program in recreation resource management and nature-based tourism. Teaching includes a potential mix of statewide delivery of online, video conferencing, and/or in-person experiential courses.
• Mentor graduate students in ENVS’s various MS and PhD graduate degree programs as well as in QCNR’s Master of Natural Resources.
• Participate in faculty duties for USU as well as professional involvement beyond USU.

The successful candidate can apply to be a Faculty Fellow in the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (extension.usu.edu/iort/), which provides resource management personnel, elected officials, private industries, and the general public with a better understanding of the social and economic trade-offs faced by communities who manage outdoor recreation resources and tourism destinations. The successful candidate can also apply be a Faculty Fellow in USU’s interdisciplinary Ecology Center and/or participate in the Climate Adaptation Science program, both of which involve ENVS.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Earned Ph.D. at date of hire in recreation resource management, park and protected area management, nature-based tourism, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience, ability, and/or interest in teaching recreation resource management or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing and delivering innovative and inclusive courses in recreation resource management and environmental studies.
• Experience with or the desire to employ distance and online course delivery.
• Evidence of ability to develop and conduct a research program in recreation resource management and nature-based tourism, including securing competitive external funding.
• Research background and interests that will broaden existing faculty strengths in recreation resource management.
• Social science experience, training, or coursework.
• Publication record consistent with career stage.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate in an interdisciplinary academic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the access mission of USU as a land-grant university through the inclusion of groups that are underrepresented in the academy through education, research, outreach, and service.
• Experience with enabling and encouraging participation of non-academic audiences in research and teaching. The Department values community engagement, integrating it into the departmental mission, climate, and culture.
• Demonstrated interest in working with local, state, and federal agencies and other organizations in the management of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism, especially in southeastern Utah.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1) Curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2) Cover Letter 

3) Statement of research experience and interests (maximum 2 pages)

4) Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (maximum 2 pages)

5) Names and contact details of three people who can provide letters of reference

Please do not attach required documents (#2-5) in the candidate profile; you will be instructed to copy and paste later on in the application.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing). Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Incumbents may be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

The Department of Environment and Society uses the social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of spatial scales and to bring human considerations into natural resource and environmental management. Faculty promote people-centered solutions for sustainability transitions and climate change adaptations and deliver graduate and undergraduate education in environmental studies and social sciences, recreation resource management, and geography. Together we value inclusive practices, center socio-environmental justice, and work towards greater diversity of community. 

The Moab Community 

With a resident population of just over 5,000, Moab is the largest community in Grand County, Utah. The Moab economy is largely fueled by nature-based recreation and tourism, and the community welcomes approximately three million people from around the world each year. As a gateway community to many national and state parks and public lands, Moab has become a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to take advantage of a wide range of mountain biking, hiking, climbing, touring and river rafting opportunities. Moab is home to offices for the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service in addition to numerous state agencies. Situated on the banks of the Colorado River the community is carefully designed for walking and biking enthusiasts and has recently added a state-of-the-art regional hospital, a recreation and aquatics center, and two new public school buildings. For more information about the Moab community visit https://moabcity.org/.

Utah State University Moab Campus Highlights

Utah State University Moab houses three additional faculty members in Environment and Society. Moab's campus building (https://statewide.usu.edu/moab/newcampus/) – located south of the city of Moab – is a combustion-free, net-zero energy building, passively designed to harness southern solar energy using thermal mass in the walls and floor. Deep overhangs create a series of covered porches, allowing for indoor activities to spill outside. Students and visitors will enjoy a campus reflecting Moab’s natural landscape, linking them to their broader ecosystem. Campus sustainability highlights include:

• USU's first net-zero energy building.
• USU's large solar array placed in parking canopies that double as parking shade structures.
• Ground-source heating and cooling.
• Reduced carbon footprint.
• Designed to meet Silver-level LEED certification with enhanced energy performance.
• PVC-free interior finishes, avoiding many red-list materials and incorporating healthier alternatives, such as red-list-free carpeting, mineral wood insulation, 100% recycled PET acoustic baffles, rammed earth real wood wall-coverings, minimal flooring (polished concrete throughout), low VOCC paint.
• Water conservation measures including rain harvesting permaculture gardens incorporating native plantings and low-flow, water-sense fixtures throughout.
• Biophilia focused, connecting people with nature by incorporating natural day lighting and views to the surrounding landscape throughout, as well as natural materials, patterns, textures, and colors in exterior and interior materials.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023