Posting Details

Posting Details

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Institution
South Dakota State University

Working Title
Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Management

Posting Number
F01363P

Department
SDSU-Natural Resource Management

Physical Location of Position (City)
Brookings

Posting Text

The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) is offering an exciting career opportunity as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Management. We are looking for a creative and innovative professional to join the NRM Department. This is a 9-month, full-time position designated as 50% research and 50% teaching, benefit eligible, and is supervised by the Department Head of NRM.

The Department of Natural Resource Management is in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and has B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs. The Department trains students through five undergraduate programs: Conservation Planning and Park Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. There are approximately 305 undergraduates and 50 graduate students and postdocs within NRM. There are currently 20 faculty members in the Department, including two USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit scientists, and five Extension Field Specialists located throughout the state. Natural Resource Management faculty have secured, on average, $2.1 million in grants annually. The Department also has research support facilities within one mile of campus and at Oak Lake Field Station, approximately 30 minutes away near White, SD. The South Dakota State University Cottonwood Field Station (CFS) is the research ranch near Wall, SD. The CFS has recently been awarded $6 million in legislative funds for improving and updating the station, which will include updates and modernization of cattle handling facilities, working barns, and classroom facilities for teaching and outreach. There are approximately 110 cow-calf pairs, and 100 steers that are used for research projects on the 2,700 acre ranch. An additional 1,100 acres is used for summer grazing near Ft. Meade Recreation Area (Sturgis, SD).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach or contribute to Introduction to Range Management, Habitat Conservation and Management, and other undergraduate courses as appropriate as well as develop a graduate course in area of expertise.
Establish a nationally recognized research program that attracts extramural research funding, supports graduate students, and produces publications in national and international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Advise the undergraduate Range Club and mentor the undergraduate Range Team at the annual Society for Range Management meeting.
Participate in university, college, and department governance and service as well as professional service and outreach activities.

SALARY SUPPLEMENTALS:

We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

BENEFITS:

We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Completed Ph.D. in rangeland ecology, natural resource management, or closely related discipline by application date.
Record of research and scholarly activities with an emphasis on rangeland ecology and management.
Experience applying contemporary statistical and analytical methodologies to natural resource management.
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Valid driver's license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and willingness to travel.
Authorization to work in the United States (sponsorship is not available).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of one year of postdoctoral or other post-graduate experience.
Demonstrated success in grant writing and procuring extramural research funding.
Prior teaching at the university level with preference given to experience as instructor of record.
Knowledge of rangeland management practices that improve the sustainability of natural resources.
Training and experience in grazing management approaches.
Experience working with heterogeneous groups with varying backgrounds and life experiences.
Demonstrated collaboration with scientists, producers, natural resource agencies, or other stakeholders.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit: , search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on "apply for this job." This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, Research Statement (maximum of 2 pages, attached as "work sample"), Teaching Statement (maximum of 2 pages, attached as "other"), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date
11/29/2023

Closing Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

First Consideration Date
01/08/2024

Advertised Salary
Commensurate with Qualifications

Duration of the Term
9 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent
100

Tenure Status
Tenure Track

Proposed Rank
Assistant Professor

Work Hours

8-5pm

Typical Hours Worked Per Week
40

Appointment Type
Regular

Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

South Dakota State University is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million in annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university's core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state's 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls, SD and 200 miles west of Minneapolis, MN. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state's highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children's Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For questions on the position, please contact search chair, Dr. Krista Ehlert at 605-394-2236 or krista.ehlert@sdstate.edu.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position
Balancing, Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Crawling, Crouching, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting moderate, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Squatting, Standing for sustained periods of time, Stretching, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating), Driving

Describe any of the conditions selected

This individual will likely be performing field work as well as office and lab work.

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.
Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.
Animal Handling, Changes of Temperature, Exposure to Dust, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Walking/Standing on rough or uneven surfaces (gravel, rocks, etc), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Weather conditions can change quickly when conducting field work.

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.
Animal Research Farm, Classroom Environment, Farm or Grassland Environment, Greenhouse Environment, Lab Environment, Office Environment, Outdoors Environment

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Public Job Posting
- Internal Job Posting
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Website
- Other

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Work or Writing Sample
Other
Reference List

Optional Documents