Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor, Applied Technology for Environmental/Spatial Justice
School/Department Name: Environmental Studies & Urban and Regional Planning
Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $86,000 - $90,000
Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.
Target Start Date: August 2025
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or closed.
Position Description
The Department of Environmental Studies/Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Applied Technology for Environmental/Spatial Justice.
The programs in Urban and Regional Planning and Environmental Studies cover the undergraduate degrees of BA, BS (Environmental Studies), BA (Geography), BS (Geographic Information Systems), BA (Global Studies); and Masters degrees in the following areas: MS (Environmental Studies), MUP (Masters in Urban Planning), MPA (Masters in Public Administration, MA (Geography). Many graduates of our programs continue their connections with the department and form strong alumni ties to faculty and students. This creates a wealth of internship, conference, and full-time job opportunities. Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized experts in subjects including GIS, community development, transportation, social-ecological systems and energy justice. Further information about Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning programs can be found on the following websites: https://www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning/ and https://www.sjsu.edu/envs/.
The Department of Environmental Studies/Urban and Regional Planning and San José State University value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. SJSU enrolls more than 36,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved, and around 45% are first-generation and 38% are Pell-recipients. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Serving Institution. The university’s commitment to social justice extends from its vibrant, inclusive campus to an international network of over 275,000 alumni. As such, San José State is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so our disciplines, students, and the community can benefit from multiple ethnic and gender perspectives.
Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion through their research, teaching, and/or service. We ask that all applicants include a Diversity Statement with their application package. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Diversity Statement Guidelines, along with information about how these statements will be evaluated.
The Department is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.
Qualifications Overview
Successful applicants will have an interdisciplinary doctorate in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Public Policy or a related field focused on data science and environmental and/or social justice. In particular we seek candidates who possess an academic background that demonstrates the integration of data science with environmental and social justice issues. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to conduct research and teach classes in subjects that bridge the intersectional challenges faced by under-represented populations using big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistics, data mining,, computer vision, or other advanced analytical approaches.
A wide range of appropriate primary disciplinary backgrounds will be considered, with preference for applied interdisciplinary training in the natural, physical, or social sciences (e.g., restoration ecology, biological conservation, wildfire science, natural resource management, sociology, ethnic studies, economics, urban planning, energy, or water resource management) and data sciences (e.g., statistics, math, computer science). Applicants must have a strong background in quantitative research methods (e.g., spatial, statistical) and should have applied their training to environmental or social/spatial justice theory and effective applied problem-solving at multiple organizational levels (e.g., local, regional, national). We seek a teacher-scholar who is committed to quality interaction with our undergraduate and graduate student population and who utilizes high impact teaching practices.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to teaching in an interdisciplinary undergraduate/graduate Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning Department. Applicants must demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to educational goals of a highly diverse student population, ideally through teaching, professional practice, training or similar experience. Applicants should have a clearly defined research program that has and will continue to produce peer-reviewed publications and demonstrate initiative in seeking external funding to support research and related activities. Candidates should demonstrate a strong desire to meet the educational needs of a student population that encompasses a broad spectrum of ages, cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, primary languages, income, and academic preparation through course materials, teaching strategies and advising.
Required Qualifications
- Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Public Policy or a related field focused on data science and environmental and/or social justice.
- Evidence of or potential for a productive research program
- Evidence of or potential for teaching effectiveness
- Applicants must demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Higher education teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level
- Demonstrated experience using high impact practices in the classroom
- Demonstrated application of applicant training to environmental justice/spatial justice theory and/or applied problem-solving.
- Interest in supporting co-curricular academic activities that support student success
- Engagement with professional communities of practice
Responsibilities Overview
Primary academic assignment responsibilities will be housed jointly in both Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning. They include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in the Environmental Studies, Geography, Geographic Information Sciences and Global Studies as appropriate based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. Other courses aligned with the applicant’s disciplinary training will also be considered. Undergraduate program responsibilities include advising majors and minors, supervising undergraduate and graduate student research, and directing special projects. A record of effective teaching, scholarly professional achievements and meaningful service is essential for tenure and promotion.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning degree programs as specified above. Actively supervise graduate students. Develop and improve curriculum.
- Create and maintain an active research and scholarship agenda.
- The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
- The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advisement.
Other Duties
Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.
Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.
Application Procedure
Select Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
- letter of interest
- curriculum vitae
- diversity statement
- statement of teaching interests/philosophy
- research plans
- three references with contact information or three references we may contact for letters
Inquiries may be directed to: Dr. Katherine Cushing, Department Chair: katherine.cushing@sjsu.edu
Conditional Offer
The work for this faculty position is located in the State of California and requires commuting to the campus. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.
San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.
Equal Employment Statement
San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.
Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.
