Description

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Wildlife Extension. This position will provide statewide leadership at the intersection of wildlife science, applied research, extension education, and public engagement. The faculty member will connect Virginia Tech research with Virginia Cooperative Extension, wildlife management agencies, landowners, local governments, agricultural producers, natural resource professionals, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Priority program areas could include wildlife health and wildlife-vectored diseases, human-wildlife conflict/coexistence, deer and bear management, invasive and exotic wildlife, habitat conservation in rapidly changing landscapes, and public understanding of wildlife conservation and sustainable use.

Position Expectations
The anticipated allocation is 50% extension, 35% research, 10% teaching, and 5% service.
The extension program is expected to include an assessment of stakeholder needs and the development of programming and materials to address these needs such as, statewide workshops, webinars, field days, landowner trainings, agent professional development, publications, decision-support tools, and digital resources, and ultimately documenting the impact of programming. The faculty member will work closely with Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists, Agriculture and Natural Resource agents and partners such as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Wildlife Services, Virginia Department of Forestry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local governments.
The successful candidate will establish a competitive, externally funded, applied research program that supports graduate students. The faculty member will submit competitive proposals beginning in the first year, pursue appropriate capacity and external funds, develop collaborations across the university, and produce peer-reviewed publications, extension scholarship, conference presentations, and impact reports.
The faculty member will teach a 0:1 course load with teaching focused on FIW 4454 Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Coexistence, anticipated annually in the spring, and will contribute to graduate education and mentoring through applied research and extension scholarship.

Requirements

Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in wildlife science, human dimensions of wildlife, natural resources, ecology, extension education, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
Demonstrated expertise relevant to wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict and coexistence, wildlife health, habitat management, or human dimensions.
Evidence of ability to develop and deliver research-based educational programs for professional and public audiences.
Evidence of strong potential for externally funded applied research.
Demonstrated effectiveness in verbal and written communication, including a peer-reviewed publication record.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with Cooperative Extension, state or federal wildlife agencies, landowners, local governments, or stakeholder organizations.
Graduate student mentoring experience.
For appointment at Associate Professor, a record of sustained scholarly productivity, strong record of external funding, and extension or engagement leadership commensurate with rank.