Asstistant Professor Water Quality & Wetland Ecology

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB: The Assistant Professor of Water Quality and Wetland Ecology is a tenure track position in the School of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment which is in the College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences at Kentucky State University (KSU). The position will have a combination of research (50%), teaching (25%), and Extension (25%) components.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Assistant Professor of Water Quality and Wetland Ecology is expected to lead a nationally recognized applied research and Extension program developing, implementing, managing, evaluating water quality and wetland ecology in relation to sustainable forest, wildlife, and agroecosystems management. The successful candidate will also assist in the management of Extension and outreach efforts at the KSU Environmental Education and Research Center. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate/graduate courses in aquatic and wetlands ecology, population and community ecology, as well as co-teach in the ENV 501 Introduction to Environmental Studies and ENV 503 Student Team Project courses. The successful candidate will also serve as mentor to undergraduate and graduate students in research projects, and contribute in service to the university and community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (ex: duties that are essential to performing the job with or without an accommodation)
1. Develop a nationally recognized applied research and Extension programs focusing on: water quality and wetland ecology in relation to sustainable forest, wildlife, and agroecosystems management. This could include research with wildlife, insects, plants, invasive species, water quality, biodiversity enhancement, hydrology, watershed management, or climate change projects.
2. Utilize new technologies, such as drone technology and remote sensing, for research and Extension application.
3. Assistant in the management of Extension and outreach efforts in areas key to environmental science and forest ecosystems at the KSU Environmental Education and Research Center.
4. Provides environmental and sustainability education and information through agent trainings, stakeholders workshops, and other presentations.
5. Assist in the supervision of an environmental educator located at the EERC facility.
6. Work with teachers in service area schools on topics of environmental education both at the schools and the Environmental Education and Research Center.
7. Develop virtual educational resources and web-based Extension programs through social media offerings in water quality and wetland ecology.
8. Design specific educational materials for hard to reach minority and underserve populations in the area of water quality and wetland ecology
9. Collect, enter, and analyze statistical data, and report in Kentucky Extension Reporting System.
10. The primary teaching responsibility will include developing an aquatic and wetlands ecology course, population and community ecology, as well as co-teach ENV 501 Introduction to Environmental Studies and ENV 503 Student Team Project courses.
11. Be strongly committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level and should incorporate innovative, inquiry-based, dynamic, and active-learning methods into courses.
12. Publish research results in refereed journals, factsheets, books, and book chapters, abstracts and proceedings, and other publications and media outlets.
13. Solicit funding and other resources from public and private agencies to enhance Extension and research programing.
14. Collaborate with colleagues at 1890 institutions, other land grant and non-land grant institutions, USDA and state agencies, and other professionals to enhance the quality of research.
15. Involve stakeholders in the development, execution, and dissemination of research projects and results.
16. Participate actively in the appropriate professional societies via oral and poster presentations, serving on committees and holding office, and other society involvement.
17. Other related duties as required.

OTHER DUTIES: (ex: tasks that may be necessary, but are not the main reason(s) the job was created)
The position will conduct other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Required: A Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Agroecosystems, Agriculture, or related field.

Licensing and Certifications
Drone pilot preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
• Candidates must demonstrate the potential for collaborative, integrated, multi-disciplinary research, granting, publishing, and stakeholder involvement.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a record of excellence in research and teaching and the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in the university setting.
• Experience in the use of common statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, STATA, R suite and others.
• Ability to work under deadlines.
• Valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Work involves some exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dust, water, smoke, and/or unpleasant odors.
• This job involves travel. The position will have statewide responsibilities.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.