Assistant Professor - Environmental Health Sciences - 001760

Western Carolina University

Department: School of Health Sciences

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The School of Health Sciences invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track position in the Environmental Health Sciences Program with expertise and interest in environmental health and/or occupational health & safety. This is a full-time appointment with the rank of Assistant Professor. Start date is August 1, 2025.

We encourage candidates with the ability to teach courses such as air quality, introductory environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational health & safety, or environmental justice to apply. Responsibilities of the position include: (1) teaching undergraduate courses within the residential Environmental Health Sciences curriculum; (2) developing a well-defined scholarly/research agenda, (3) providing meaningful service to the university, profession, and community; and (4) advising and mentoring undergraduate students in collaboration with the Advising Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the vision and mission of Environmental Health Sciences program, along with that of the School, College, and University.
• Develop and deliver content and courses within the Environmental Health Sciences program such as, but not limited to, Air Quality Control and Laboratory, Introduction to Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, and Introduction to Public Health.
• Mentor and advise students in collaboration with the Advising Center with regard to academic progress and professional development.
• Engage in scholarly activities and creative contributions within the profession based upon the Boyer Model of scholarship.
• Provide service to the university, profession, and community.
• Maintain currency and contemporary expertise in the academic discipline through continuing education, scholarship, and/or participation in activities within the profession, including involvement within professional organizations at the state, district and national levels.
• Work cooperatively and collegially with all faculty and staff involved in the Environmental Health Sciences program, School of Health Sciences, and across the university.
• Submit appropriate artifacts, narratives, and data related to program, liberal studies, and accreditation assessment and continuous improvement.
• Carry out other assignments and duties as assigned by the Environmental Health Sciences Program Director, Director of the School of Health Sciences, and Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

We seek candidates who demonstrate their ability to work with, and be sensitive to the educational needs of, first generation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and rural populations; and support the University's commitment to Honoring Our Promise. The Environmental Health Sciences program is committed to building a community whose members have diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Salary and rank are commensurate with academic qualifications and experience for a regional comprehensive university. Opportunities for summer teaching with additional compensation are available.

The Environmental Health Sciences program is housed in the 160,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Health and Human Sciences Building and is part of the robust and engaged School of Health Sciences. The Environmental Health Sciences (ENVH) Program is a National Environmental Health Science & Protection Council (EHAC) accredited program. The ENVH program received 6-year reaccreditation from the EHAC in 2023. The ENVH Program is a 60-credit hour, residential program designed to cultivate students who can identify and solve threats to human health in our communities, in an evolving social, political and scientific climate. The ENVH faculty seek to be leaders in engaged and experiential learning in the field of environmental public health in order to improve the health of communities. As such, the ENVH Program is a Community Engaged Program and all undergraduate students participate in high impact teaching practices aligned with public service initiatives. The ENVH Program aspires to be a recognized leader in preparing highly skilled graduates for successful careers in environmental public health practice or continued graduate education.
The School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate programs in Emergency Medical Care, Environmental Health, Integrated Health Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, and Recreational Therapy. Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Athletic Training and the Master of Health Sciences. Additional programs within the College of Health and Human Sciences include Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A collaborative environment conducive to interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship and service exists within the School and College of Health and Human Sciences. Western North Carolina's rural, ageing, and medically underserved population and location provides numerous and rich opportunities for community partnerships, collaborative research, and grant acquisition. More information on the school can be found on the website: hs.wcu.edu and information on the College can be found on the website: chhs.wcu.edu.
Western Carolina University is a regional comprehensive university with more than 12,000 students with its main campus located in Cullowhee, NC. Part of our mission is to inspire student learning through innovative teaching, nationally recognized programs, exceptional support, and a robust connectedness with surrounding communities in Southern Appalachia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The county and surrounding areas provide residents a high quality of life with their proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, diverse outdoor adventures, a thriving arts community, and mild year-around temperatures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: Doctoral degree in environmental health, public health, environmental biology, or related field (e.g., PhD, DrPH, EdD, DSc) from a regionally accredited institution (ABD candidates will be considered with degree conferral by May 2025) with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. One-year prior teaching experience in the discipline. One-year research or practice based experience in the field. Evidence of scholarly activity and a research agenda. Evidence of service to the profession or community.

Preferred Qualifications: Additional credentials or certifications in environmental health (i.e., Registered Environmental Health Specialist) or occupational health & safety (i.e., Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist). Evidence of engaging undergraduate students in high impact practices, including undergraduate research. Prior professional practice-based experience in the field (i.e., Registered Sanitarian Registered Environmental Health Sciences, public health practice or experience at the local, state, or federal level).

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include the following materials: Letter of application. Current CV. List of a minimum of 3 professional references with complete contact information. Description of your teaching philosophy. Description of your research/scholarly agenda. Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher. Copy of credentials and certifications. For questions or additional information please contact:Dr. Brian ByrdProgram Director – Environmental Health Sciences ProgramE-mail: bdbyrd@wcu.edu Phone: (828)227-2607 *All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state “Degree Awarded,” “Degree Conferred,” or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as “Degree Awarded,” “Degree Conferred,” or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.


To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/29379







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