POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Assistant Professor (Forest Recreation and Park Management)
Department of Forestry
College of Agricultural Sciences

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University Carbondale seeks an Assistant Professor of Forest Recreation and Park Management to begin January 1, 2009 or until filled. This is a tenure-track, 9 month teaching and research appointment, with outreach and service activities. The Department is especially interested in candidates who contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community through their research, teaching, and service.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a program of nationally recognized research and scholarship in the area of recreation management, such as recreation impacts, visitor behaviors, or visitor services.
• Teach introduction to forest recreation; senior-level forest recreation and park management; and environmental interpretation. Teach additional courses in areas of interest at undergraduate and graduate levels. Participate in the leadership of a two to four week summer field course with compensation.
• Participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research and teaching projects with faculty in the Department of Forestry and related programs.
• Recruit and mentor research-oriented graduate students; advise undergraduate students.
• Actively engage in service roles within the Department, the College, the University, and professional groups and associations.
• Interact and work with public land management agencies, industry, academic and other professional groups and associations.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:  The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications prior to employment:

    Required qualifications:

• Completed Ph.D. in forest recreation, park management, or closely related discipline by the effective date of hire.
• A strong commitment to teaching, with demonstrated or potential for excellence;
• Interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research with faculty and other agency professionals; and
• Evidence of and/or potential ability to secure grants, and develop and manage a competitive research program;

    Preferred qualifications:

• Coursework or training in forestry or natural resources;
• Prior experience in recreation management or environmental interpretation; and
• A record of publications in refereed journals and professional presentations.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  September 1, 2008, or until filled.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  Submit a letter of application detailing teaching and research interests, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts (official transcripts are required prior to hire), copies of publications, and names and contact information of three professional references. Hard copies only (electronic copies will not be accepted) should be sent to:

Dr. Erin Seekamp, Search Committee Co-Chair
Department of Forestry
Mail Code 4411
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1205 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-7463 email: eseekamp@siu.edu

SIUC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer that strives to enhance its
ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a
diverse student population.  All applications are welcomed and encouraged and
will receive consideration.

Additional Information:

The Department of Forestry (http://www.coas.siu.edu) offers SAF accredited programs leading to a B.S. in Forestry with specializations in Forest Resources Management, Forest Recreation and Park Management, Forest Hydrology, and Urban Forest Management. Approximately 140 undergraduates are currently in residence. An additional 25 students are pursuing graduate studies within the department's M.S. program. The Department of Forestry is in the College of Agricultural Sciences, which will be launching a Ph.D. program in fall 2008.

Strong multidisciplinary research relationships exist among departmental faculty and elsewhere in the university. Existing research programs that may be especially relevant to the incumbent include the areas of forest recreation, ecotourism, forest restoration, community empowerment, watershed management, active forest stewardship, and urban forestry.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a Carnegie Research Institution with an on-campus enrollment of approximately 20,000. Carbondale boasts an excellent school system and is located within two hours of St. Louis. Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the nearby Shawnee and Mark Twain National Forests, Land Between the Lakes, numerous State Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.