Assistant Professor - Environmental Risk and Society

Overview

The Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) in the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (QANR) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor with expertise in the geography and human dimensions of environmental hazards and disaster risk. We seek a faculty member whose teaching and research will strengthen Utah’s ability to reduce hazard risks, protect people and infrastructure, and prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. The successful candidate will apply social and/or behavioral sciences to advance understanding and mitigation of risks from environmental hazards such as air pollution, droughts, earthquakes, extreme heat, flooding, and/or wildfire, including in the context of a changing climate and with relevance to the state of Utah.

This is a teaching excellence position, with an emphasis distribution of 60% teaching/advising, 30% research, and 10% service. This tenure-track, full-time academic year (nine-month) position is based at the USU main campus in Logan. The position will start August 2027. Background information is available on the webpages for the Department of Environment and Society and its home, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Application review will begin December 10, 2026. The position will remain open until filled, but application by the date above is encouraged for full consideration. Candidates from all backgrounds and populations are encouraged to apply. For further information contact the search committee chair, Dr. Courtney Flint (courtney.flint@usu.edu).

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will develop an outstanding teaching and mentoring program to support student success in both the Department’s academic programs and the University’s Center for Civic Excellence. The teaching role will include preparing students to understand environmental hazard risks, communicate about risks, evaluate risk-reduction strategies, and support mitigation and preparedness activities.
• Teaching includes courses that contribute to the University’s General Education program and to the Department’s majors in environmental studies, environmental science and sustainability, geography, and recreation resource management. The successful candidate could expect to teach courses in hazards and society and to contribute to other departmental and Center for Civic Excellence curricular areas depending on specific expertise.
• The successful candidate will also provide leadership for a shared departmental commitment to community-engaged, experiential education for our undergraduate students, including, for example, leading projects with Utah communities and public agencies that develop skills relevant to environmental hazard mitigation, public safety, and emergency management.
• The successful candidate will lead a research program investigating individual or community decision-making in the context of environmental hazards and disaster risk reduction.
• Student advising includes mentoring undergraduate researchers and advising graduate students in a supportive learning environment that promotes the success of all students.
• Courses may be taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels and may be delivered in person, via virtual or online learning, or in a blended format.
• Service includes participation in university faculty duties and wider professional involvement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned PhD at date-of-hire in geography or a related field, with background in environmental hazards and society.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A prior teaching and mentoring record that demonstrates potential for teaching excellence.
• Demonstrated interest in community-engaged and experiential learning that complements USU’s Land Grant mission.
• Demonstrated application of research to understanding and mitigating the impacts of hazards through social and behavioral science perspectives.
• A publication record consistent with career stage.
• Demonstrated potential to build and maintain an effective research program, including the ability to secure funding.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with natural and social scientists as well as practitioners across disciplines.
• Experience with or the desire to learn about virtual and online course delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a learning community of members from a range of backgrounds and experiences and to foster a sense of belonging for all students

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover Letter (2-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
• Research statement that covers research experience and interests (2-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
• Teaching statement that covers teaching experience and philosophy, including in fostering the success of students from all backgrounds (2-page maximum) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
• Three professional references with contact information to be typed at the beginning of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Environment and Society applies social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of scales. Our faculty address complex environmental and societal challenges through innovative research and extension, generating practical insights for managers, policymakers, and practitioners. We provide graduate and undergraduate education in environmental, social and interdisciplinary sciences, recreation resource management, and geography. Together, we value holistic practices and community engagement for a more sustainable tomorrow.

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (QANR) at USU is known for its research, traditions, and community engagement, with recent highlights including new leadership, special events, and innovative projects. QANR offers 12 departments covering agriculture, food, environment, technology, design, and more, plus associate degrees and technical certificates at statewide campuses.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

titleix@usu.edu

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

*updated 08/2026