Teaching Assistant Professor

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Teaching Assistant Professor

The Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a 9-month, non-tenure track Teaching Assistant Professor of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences. Teaching load will be assigned by the department head annually. The successful candidate will teach classes to support our undergraduate degree programs in Crop Science (CPSC) and Environmental, Soil, and Water Sciences (ESWS). Initial teaching assignments will include CSES 12003 Introduction to Plant Sciences, CSES 21033 Crop Science and accompanying lab (CSES 21001 L), ENSC 10003 for ESWS Majors, CSES 23002 Professional Development in CSES, and production courses focused on major Arkansas crops. Teaching responsibilities will be adjusted to meet departmental curriculum needs and candidate expertise. Opportunities exist for development of online courses to complement departmental curriculum. The successful candidate will become an integral part of creating a positive first-year experience for students and be involved in departmental curriculum design, curriculum management and implementation, and program assessment. The successful candidate may also assist with undergraduate advising, honors program advising, and advisement of student clubs. Involvement in recruiting activities and events is expected. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences faculty are expected to contribute to a positive work environment and foster collegiality among peers. It is expected that the successful candidate will explore and foster multidisciplinary collaborations internally and externally and engage with parents, stakeholders, and other academic institutions when appropriate. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. This is an in-person position. Most University classes are offered face-to-face and this role requires regular on-campus presence to support high quality instruction and student learning. Participation in selected departmental or programmatic activities that advance teaching quality and student success is also expected, consistent with the responsibilities of non-tenure track faculty as defined by the academic appointment.

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations. The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life. As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned Ph.D. in crop science, soil science, weed science, agronomy, environmental science, or a closely related agricultural science discipline by the date of appointment
• Demonstrated successful college-level teaching experience in crop science, plant science, soil science, environmental science, crop production, or a closely related field
• Experience teaching both lecture and laboratory courses
• Knowledge of effective, evidence-based teaching methods and student-centered learning practices
• Proficiency using a learning management system, such as Blackboard or Canvas, and instructional technologies appropriate for college-level teaching
• Experience mentoring or advising undergraduate students.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with students, faculty members, researchers, agricultural stakeholders, and other clientele groups
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty members and other professional colleagues
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, collegial, and supportive learning and working environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of four years of successful college-level teaching experience in crop science, plant science, soil science, environmental science, crop production, or a closely related field
• Successful record teaching courses comparable in content and scope to Introduction to Plant Sciences, Crop Science and its accompanying laboratory, Environmental Science for majors, Professional Development in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, or production courses focused on major Arkansas crops
• Experience independently serving as the instructor of record for college-level lecture and laboratory courses
• Developing or substantially revising college-level courses, laboratory exercises, instructional materials, or curricula, delivering online or hybrid college-level courses, curriculum design, curriculum management, student-learning assessment, and academic program assessment
• Experience advising undergraduate students regarding academic requirements, degree progress, career development, or graduate and professional opportunities
• Evidence of successful advising of undergraduate student organizations, disciplinary clubs, competitive teams, or honors students.
• Experience supporting undergraduate recruitment, retention, first-year engagement, and student success initiatives
• Knowledge of production practices for major Arkansas crops, including rice, soybean, cotton, corn, or wheat
• Evidence of successful collaboration with Extension personnel, agricultural producers, crop consultants, industry representatives, government agencies, or other agricultural and environmental stakeholders
• Evidence of excellence in college-level teaching, such as strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, peer evaluations, documented improvements in student learning, or other recognized teaching accomplishments

Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply: Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Optional Documents: Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information: Paul DeLaune, Department Head, View email address on click.appcast.io

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Talking

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes