Affiliate faculty natural resources environmental management

Allendale, MI

Full Time

R103717

Summary: The Biology Department at Grand Valley State University invites applications for an affiliate faculty member in Natural Resources & Environmental Management to begin Fall 2026. Applicants are expected to have at least an M.S. degree in Natural Resources Management or a closely related field. We seek a dynamic and innovative educator broadly trained in the field of natural resources management with proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and training in other areas of applied natural resource management such as soil science, forestry, wildlife, or field ecology. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Required Qualifications And Education

• M.S. degree in Natural Resources Management or closely related field.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching and impactful instruction at all undergraduate levels with a commitment to active and engaging pedagogy for all learners.
• Expertise using and applying geospatial methodologies to natural resource management.
• Demonstrated expertise in the theory and practice of applied natural resources management disciplines such as soil science, forestry, wildlife, or field ecology.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to respectfully interact with others from various backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.
• Commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive learning environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications And Education

• Doctorate in Natural Resources Management or closely related field.
• Demonstrated successful college-level teaching and impactful instruction at all undergraduate levels.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively teach theory and application of geospatial technologies including GIS in natural resources disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively teach in one or more applied natural resources management disciplines (i.e., soil science, forestry, wildlife, field ecology, etc.)
  
  

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will teach lecture or laboratory courses in applications of GIS in natural resources, and other lecture or laboratory courses within the natural resource & environmental management, wildlife biology, or biology programs at Grand Valley State University.
• Affiliate faculty members are normally appointed on nine-month contracts and are expected to teach twelve contact hours per semester.
  
  

Minimum Starting Salary: $54,000 annually; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver, effective on date of hire.

Department: The Biology Department at Grand Valley State University places an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. Its 34 full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal education while providing intensive engagement in the biological sciences. High-impact field and lab experiences and community collaboration are hallmarks of our relevant, interdisciplinary curriculum. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community.

College: is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor's degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students' social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at

How To Apply: Apply online at To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application (combined files cannot exceed 5 MB):

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable)
  
  

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need technical assistance, email Human Resources mailto:([email protected]). Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Paul Keenlance mailto:([email protected]).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on October 27, 2025. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

To apply, visit

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