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.
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).