Assistant Professor, Soil & Environmental Science

Delaware Valley University is accepting candidates for Assistant Professor of Soil & Environmental Science in our Plant Science and Landscape Architecture department.

About the University

Founded in 1896, DelVal is an academically rigorous interdisciplinary university dedicated to the sciences and liberal arts. Today, its more than 1,000 acres of land is a testament to the University's mission to provide a functional, hands-on learning environment for students, serving as an outdoor classroom for several fields of study. DelVal offers students a wide array of undergraduate, graduate and continuing education degree programs and is one of the few higher education institutions that requires an experiential learning component that is award-winning. DelVal has received numerous accolades including being named to Princeton Review's 2022 "Best in the Northeast" and U.S. News & World Report's 2022 "Best Regional Universities-North" lists. 

Nestled in Bucks County, PA, known for its picturesque landscapes, DelVal is only 30 miles north of Philadelphia, and is easily accessible by regional rail located on campus.   

About the Position

This position will add to the department's expertise in horticulture, turf management, plant breeding, plant pathology and landscape architecture. Training undergraduate students to meet the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and enhanced food production with creative and hands-on pedagogy is key to success in this role as is utilization of DelVal farms, labs and greenhouses.

Delaware Valley University is unique in that the classrooms are within walking distance of the campus farms, greenhouses, wooded areas, turf and other habitats. This position allows research, consulting, or other activities during the summer months.

Reporting to the Department Chair of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, this is a nine month, full-time, tenure track faculty position.

Cover letter, curriculum vitae and statement of teaching philosophy are required.

Essential job responsibilities include:

• Teach a wide variety of soils and environmental science courses for undergraduate students in various majors
• Plan and execute all tasks involved with teaching a college-level class such as developing a syllabus and course content, activities, and assessments; use Blackboard as a course management tool
• Prepare students to become a Certified Professional Soil Scientist 
• Be the champion and primary student advisor for the Environmental Science major that includes specializations in Soils, Habitat Management and Watershed Management, Pollution and Remediation
• Assist with recruiting to the Environmental Science major
• Provide academic and career advice to Environmental Science students
• Develop a network and regularly communicate with professionals in Soils and Environmental Science
• Assist in updating curricula
• Use experiential and hands-on learning teaching methods in all courses 
• Involvement in student activities outside the classroom especially in regards to environmental science, soils and agriculture
• Support undergraduate research projects
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum qualifications include:

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in soil science, environmental science or a related field
• Experience teaching at the college-level is required along with experience planning content and activities for course lectures and labs as well as curriculum development and use of classroom management software

The successful candidate will have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Broad knowledge of soils including soil biology, chemistry, fertility, conservation and classification
• Physical demands and working conditions for this position include:
• Typically standing or walking
• Outdoor exposure to weather
• Occasional travel

Why work for DelVal?

• Beautiful college campus in charming Doylestown!  
• Free parking and Septa stop on-site! 
• Collaborative, collegial colleagues! 
• Tuition waiver for self and dependents!
• Tuition Exchange for dependent children with 677+ participating schools!
• Many other excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability and flex spending and retirement plan with employer contribution!

Selected applicants will be responsible for providing the University with clearances, appropriate to the position, that have been completed within the last 5 years. These clearances include, but are not limited to the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Fingerprints completed by IDENTGO, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance.  Additionally, upon an acceptance of an offer of employment this position will require an official transcript verification. 

Delaware Valley University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.