Assistant Professor of Environment & Sustainability

Position Summary: This is a full-time tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Environment & Sustainability. In our research and teaching, we work with our students and regional communities to tackle urgent environmental challenges and seek lasting solutions that promote ecological health, social justice, and economic resilience.

As a department, we are committed to sustainability through innovation, critical thinking, and action. We seek candidates with demonstrated

experience:

in teaching interdisciplinary courses and a commitment to working with diverse student communities. The successful candidate will have a strong research and teaching background that supports place-based, experiential, inquiry driven, or Indigenous-focused pedagogies. The successful candidate will teach 21 credits per year, mentor students, maintain an active scholarship program, and contribute service to the department and college.

We seek candidates with expertise in at least one of the following areas: • Indigenous environmental knowledge • Climate change, adaptation, and resilience • Natural resources management, or nature-based solutions Job

Description:

Essential Functions and

Responsibilities:

Teach core departmental courses with an interdisciplinary lens; courses could include: Introduction to Environmental Science lecture and lab, Introduction to Environmental Studies, Research Methods & Design, Capstone Research, or Collaborative Research. Utilize experiential strategies and place-based teaching methods in the field and classroom.

• Develop an upper-division course in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Mentor undergraduate student research.
• Work with broadly diverse student communities, including Native, non-traditional, Pell-eligible, and first-generation college students.
• Maintain an active research and scholarship program.
• Perform service-related activities within the department, college, and region.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.

Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

Education:

, Specialized

Skills:

, and

Experience:

PhD in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, or related field by August 15, 2026. Strong prior teaching

experience:

, with evidence of the use of at least one of the following: (1) a variety of inclusive instructional practices, (2) materials and content that represent a variety of sources, voices, perspectives, and formats, (3) strategies to support diverse learners. Ability to teach environmental topics and approaches from an interdisciplinary lens, using natural and social science perspectives.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor undergraduate research.

Commitment to working with diverse communities at a Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institution. Strong interpersonal and communication

skills:

• Demonstrated understanding of research philosophies that are collaborative, focused on community participation, or fostering Tribal engagement.

Ability to drive a 12-passenger van and willingness to complete the Fort Lewis College Authorized Driver training.

• Reports to / Supervisory Responsibility: Chair of Environment & Sustainability Department Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic) Ability to work in a confined area. Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision

requirements:

due to computer work Light to moderate lifting is required Travel: This is an in-person position and less than 5% travel is expected. FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Exempt Full Time Permanent Full Year 12 credit hours per semester. Salary The salary is 62,500, and a comprehensive

benefits:

package Application Process A complete application packet includes: Cover letter addressing interest and

qualifications:

for the position Curriculum Vitae Names and contact information for three current, professional references Application Deadline Application materials received by 11:59 p.m. on February 1, 2026, will receive full consideration. The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check

About:

Fort Lewis College: On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals.

A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the

education:

they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business,

education:

, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff.

Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango Notice to Prospective Employees: The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.

The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher

Education:

Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information

about:

Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy Sexual assault policy Campus security policies Campus/community resources The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment Where to find registered sex offender information Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years Reporting crimes The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways: By going to the internet website at: www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.

You can reach them at (970) 247-7331. Equal

Opportunity:

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal

opportunity:

for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal

opportunity:

, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions? Office of Compliance and Community Standards David Pirrone, Director of Compliance 210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim Drive Durango, Colorado 81301 (970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu Questions

about:

Title IX sex discrimination? Office of the Title IX Coordinator Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator 210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim Drive Durango, Colorado 81301 (970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu Information

about:

Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

• Title IX of the

Education:

Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries

about:

the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of

Education:

ADAA Accommodations Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation.

You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date. Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business,

education:

, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher

education:

Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate

education:

, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds.

Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas.