The School of Public Service (SPS) and the School of the Environment (SoE) seek to make a joint hire (70% SPS, 30% SoE) through an internal search for an open rank Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure track) to contribute to a research and teaching role that focuses on Environmental Governance.  This faculty member will support programs under SPS and the SOE (School of the Environment) in the College of Arts & Sciences (COAS) such as Environmental Studies, Global Studies and Urban Studies and Community Development, as well as existing MEM, MPA, and PhD graduate programs. The faculty member would also contribute to work with an NSF and state-funded initiative on energy-water system resilience.   

This is an internal opportunity open only to current, benefit-eligible employees of Boise State University.

Candidates’ areas of focus should address Environmental Governance, and could do so from a variety of perspectives, including the following:

• Environmental law and/or policy related to energy and/or water systems.

• Public sector oversight of environmental risk and resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups. 

• Adaptive, collaborative or community-based governance tied to decision making about natural systems.

• Science, technology, and society, especially associated with change at the intersection of the natural and built environments.  

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Teaching 

  • Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in SPS and SOE/COAS.  Some examples include undergraduate courses in Environmental Studies and graduate courses in Master of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Public Policy & Administration (PPA). 

  • Contribute to the School of Public Service’s and SoE’s graduate programs and undergraduate core.

  • Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.

• Research

  • Engage in academic and public service scholarship. 

  • Contribute to an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional and multi-year initiative on energy-water system resilience. This includes regular engagement for the I-CREWs project with collaborative research, meetings, and potentially other activities including teaching, community engagement, etc. 

• Service 

  • Engage in professional, university, and public service. 

Department overview:

The School of Public Service (SPS) prepares problem-solvers and leaders through education, research and community engagement to tackle society's challenges. The School is dedicated to excellence in innovative teaching, cutting-edge scholarship, and meaningful community outreach, serving the State of Idaho,  region, national, and global communities. The school is composed of rich and diverse academic programs, including Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Public Policy and Administration, as well as interdisciplinary programs such as Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Urban Studies. The mission of the school is supported by a variety of centers and institutes that facilitate research and public engagement.

The School of the Environment (SoE) is an interdisciplinary school that resides within the College of Arts and Sciences. The School brings together scientific perspectives, policy tools, systems thinking, varied experiences, creative stories, partnerships, and more to collaboratively develop societally-impactful solutions to environmental challenges on our changing planet. SoE faculty are interdisciplinary and bring their scholarly perspectives to bear on student training and environmental challenges from Human Environment Systems, History, Sociology, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Geosciences, Energy Policy, and the Biological Sciences. We offer a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Management. We also support the BA in Environmental Studies offered by the School of Public Service. SoE faculty advise students in multiple graduate programs across campus including PhD programs in Computing; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior; and Geosciences; and Masters programs in Biological Sciences and the Masters in Environmental Management.

About Boise State:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about faculty careers at Boise State and the City of Boise.

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD in a social science, humanities, policy, or related field. 

• Interest and potential in building a strong research record in the social sciences and humanities.

• Interest and potential in producing high quality peer reviewed and public service scholarship.

• Experience and interest in contributing to research and capacity-building on energy-water systems resilience. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and engagement.

• Ability to teach within one or more of the following areas: quantitative or qualitative methods.

• Demonstrated commitment to experiential learning approaches.

• Interest in securing external resources to support the candidate’s research program.

Required application materials:

•  Updated curriculum vitae (CV)

• A letter of application, outlining the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and interest in the position.

• Statement of teaching philosophy.

• Contact information for three professional references

Closing Date: 

Position will close on 04/30/2025

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Nisha Bellinger  nishabellinger@boisestate.edu. 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary ranges from $65,000 to $75,000 (9 month contract) 

Our standard faculty contract is a 9-month contract (unless otherwise noted) with pay and benefits spread over 12 months. This is a yearly, renewable contract, unless noted that the position is temporary. More information about faculty contract and work days is available here. 

Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)

• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages

• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents

• Dual Career Assistance Support for spouses and partners.

• See our full benefits page for more information