State University of New York

College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Faculty of Environmental Studies

Chair Search Description

 

The Faculty of Environmental Studies at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) seeks a new Chair as we move into an exciting new phase of development beginning in the Fall of 2007. The successful candidate should bring strong leadership skills in the context of collaboration with the faculty and the ability to foster excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, applied and traditional research, and public service and practice.

 

The Faculty of Environmental Studies pursues the integration of the humanities, social and natural sciences and professions with an action-oriented focus on addressing critical environmental problems. Our core strengths in environmental policy and analysis, and environmental communication build on the outstanding reputation of SUNY-ESF in the environmental sciences and engineering and our long history of education of environmental professionals.

 

This tenured, calendar-year position requires: (1) an earned doctorate in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary field relevant to environmental studies; (2) experience as a college or university faculty member, including in leadership roles; (3) demonstrated success in teaching and research/practice in environmental affairs; (4) strong interpersonal and communication skills; (5) a commitment to intellectual diversity and interdisciplinary scholarship; and (6) the ability to encourage and uphold constructive and collaborative relationships. We are open to applicants with scholarly and professional strengths in any area related to environmental studies. We are especially interested in those working in any of the following areas: environmental thought and philosophy, climate change policy, non-traditional environmental management, collaborative governance, international environmental affairs, community capacity building, sustainability, and traditional ecological knowledge.

 

The Chair has responsibility for administering the Faculty of Environmental Studies (ES); providing leadership to undergraduate and graduate education and research in ES; coordinating ES interests and programs with other Faculties at ESF; guiding public service and continuing education in environmental studies; working within the College-wide administration to shape and implement educational and administrative policies; and representing the College in the area of environmental studies. Teaching one graduate or undergraduate course per year is required. Further information about the ES Faculty can be found at www.esf.edu/es.

 

Application letters should address the six requirements listed above and be accompanied by a C.V. or résumé; one-page statement of leadership philosophy, administrative experience and educational philosophy; and names, titles, and contact information of three references. Please submit all materials electronically as Word or PDF files to jobs@esf.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however, evaluation of applications will begin on March 15, 2007. Position begins August 2007 or as soon as a qualified candidate becomes available.

 


About Environmental Studies at SUNY-ESF

The Faculty of Environmental Studies (ES) is ESF’s interdisciplinary social science and humanities department. We are evolving to a model of collaborative governance in the unit and looking to a future that includes new programs and projects that critically engage environmental affairs and the community. We have eleven core faculty members with expertise in environmental policy, economics, governance, human behavior, communication, sustainability, eco-criticism, impact analysis, public participation, conflict resolution, and environmental thought. A number of colleagues from Syracuse University and the region are adjunct faculty in ES. In addition, faculty from ESF’s natural science and engineering departments support ES through teaching and advising. We have an undergraduate Environmental Studies program with approximately 135 students in three option areas: Environmental Communication and Culture, Environmental Policy, and Biological Science Applications. Faculty members advise and supervise Master’s and Ph.D. students in ESF’s college-wide Graduate Program in Environmental Science. In addition, ES is currently developing a new Master’s program in Environmental Studies. ES administers the Randolph G. Pack Environmental Institute and ESF’s Writing Program, and we are in the process of establishing a new community capacity-building clinic. ES faculty members regularly collaborate on teaching and research projects with colleagues in other ESF faculties and at Syracuse University. ES Faculty members are also working with other ESF faculty and colleagues from Syracuse University to develop a joint environmental Ph.D. program.

 

About SUNY-ESF

One of the few institutions worldwide focused exclusively on environmental research, policy and applications, ESF embodies the best qualities of a small college with close faculty-student interaction and a research-intensive doctoral degree-granting institution. ESF provides high quality instruction, research, and public service through its academic campus in Syracuse and its regional campuses and field stations on 25,000 acres around New York State. ESF enrolls 1,600 undergraduate and 600 graduate students who participate in the broadest array of environmental and renewable natural resources programs in the United States. Teaching has always been highly valued and expected at ESF, with 90 percent of its courses taught by full-time faculty. The quality of its undergraduate and graduate programs is reflected in reviews published in U.S. News and World Report. Its highly productive faculty is internationally recognized for scholarship, excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, a remarkable record of extramural funding, and active community involvement. The college’s long-standing, mutually-beneficial partnership with neighboring Syracuse University enables ESF to offer students and faculty all of the advantages and amenities of a large, complex university environment. Informed by natural science and guided by effective theory, design and planning, the faculty, staff and students at ESF are committed to sustainable practices, policy alternatives, and innovative applications that both protect the environment and meet the needs of a global society.

 

About the Syracuse Community

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in the “University Hill” section of Syracuse, a mid-sized metropolitan area and the birthplace of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. With plentiful cultural and civic opportunities a diverse population and affordable real estate, Syracuse ranks among the top 10 percent of “Best Places to Live” according to The Places Rated Almanac. Syracuse is within a five-hour drive of New York City, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Philadelphia and Boston. The Syracuse metropolitan area has 732,000 residents that live in a region characterized by rolling hills, flat plains, abundant lakes, and waterfalls. There are more than 50 state, county, and city parks and several nature centers in the area. Central New York also has extensive opportunities for golfing, boating, swimming, downhill and cross-country skiing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, mountain biking, and hiking. Lake Ontario and New York’s Finger Lakes are less than an hour’s drive and the six million acre Adirondack Park – the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States – is within a three-hour drive. The area boasts a wide variety of cultural organizations and activities including the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse Opera Company, Syracuse Stage, the Everson Art Museum and Lowe Art Center. Other venues for the arts and entertainment include the Landmark Theater, the OnCenter Complex, and the Empire Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds.

 

 

For further information on personnel questions, contact:  Mark Scimone, Assistant Director of Human Resources, SUNY-ESF, 216 Bray Hall, One Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210; email: mscimone@esf.edu

 

 

For further information about the search process, contact:  Dr. Chad Dawson, ES Search Committee Chair, SUNY-ESF, 320 Bray Hall, One Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210; email: cpdawson@esf.edu