"Canine Training and Management Assistant Professor (Fall 2026 Start)"

Job Details

Company Description:

As New York's leading public college for agriculture and technology, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech develops students who wish to positively impact the future well-being of human society and sustainable practices. Our immersive approach to learning combines academic rigor with hands-on application, producing graduates who enter their careers with proven real-world capabilities.

Students thrive on our 900-acre campus, providing a dynamic rural setting with a working farm, modern laboratories, and natural ecosystems serving as our classrooms. As members of this close-knit community, students gain a sense of belonging and support for lifelong learning and professional growth through direct interaction with expert faculty and industry leaders.

An anchor institution in the Mohawk Valley region, the College promotes economic growth through its Institute for Rural Vitality and an extensive network of community, statewide, and national partners. We actively strengthen the industries that align with our academic programs and mission by providing modern business resources, training, and technical assistance while offering shared-use facilities that support regional entrepreneurs, creating new connections for sustainable development.

Drawing on a rich academic tradition that spans more than 100 years, our purpose remains constant: to educate and support undergraduate learners and researchers to be workforce-ready and affect the two most significant forces in today's world - agriculture and technology.

Job Description:

The Canine Program, housed within the Behavioral and Health Studies Department at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, seeks a talented and innovative faculty member to join our instructional team. The Canine Program enrolls over 200 students and offers hands-on coursework with dogs in our Bachelors of Technology in Canine Training and Management degree. This program has shown strong growth over the past several years, which has opened the opportunity for the addition of a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor of Canine Training and Management.

Faculty, staff, and students in the Canine Program must adhere to, demonstrate, and encourage philosophies and training methods consistent with LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles. Additionally, the program works with community-sourced dogs to deliver hands-on, experiential learning to students. These dogs are dropped off and picked up daily at our on-campus kennel, which is run by kennel managers and students throughout the day.

The successful candidate may be required to teach courses including, but not limited to: Canine Training, Canine Detection, Canine Conservation Detection, Canine Area Search. The successful candidate will be strongly encouraged to create and teach courses related to their expertise and the growing needs of the students in the program and will have the opportunity to contribute to the future direction and curriculum of the program. There is an expectation to teach 24-26 contact hours per academic year.

Teaching assignments may require teaching day, evening and/or Saturday classes as needed. Candidates should also be prepared to teach in a variety of modalities, including in-person, online, hybrid, and remote formats. In addition to teaching, responsibilities include academic advisement, committee participation, curricular activities, including career-focused microcredential curriculum development, and scholarly activities such as research, grantsmanship, scholarship, mentorship of undergraduate researchers, and professional development that supports excellence in teaching. Faculty are expected to participate in assessment and other quality improvement initiatives that benefit the college, our students, the community and the discipline.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Animal Science or related field
• Three or more years of experience in canine training in any relevant capacity

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, it is preferred the candidate also have:

• PhD or advanced ABD in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Animal Science or related field
• Five or more years of experience in canine training in any relevant capacity
• Experience as a detection dog handler in any capacity
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate students

Additional Information:

• This is a term, full-time, tenure-track, 10-month appointment.
• The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $60,000.
• Position to start August 2026.
• This position offers full New York State benefits which are some of the most comprehensive in the country.
• SUNY Cobleskill is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community for our students and employees. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of the background check.
• This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
• All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply, if your skillset meets the minimum requirements as set forth.

SUNY Cobleskill is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring equal educational and employment opportunity and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or any other legally protected status. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at (518) 255-5514.

SUNY Cobleskill's Title IX Coordinator is Mary Elhakam, who can be contacted via phone at 518-255-5999, email at ElhakaM@cobleskill.edu, or mailing address of SUNY Cobleskill, Knapp Hall Room 143, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact humanresources@cobleskill.edu or 518-255-5423.

Application Instructions:

The application review process will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Priority is given to applications submitted by January 1, 2026

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Letter of application, addressing qualifications, position responsibilities, and college values
2. Current CV or Resume
3. Names, emails and phone numbers of at least three professional references, preferably former supervisors

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