Instructor - Environmental Heath Sciences

Department: School of Health Sciences

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Following recent departmental alignment and ongoing strategic growth, we invite applications for a nine-month, fixed term position in the Environmental Health Sciences Program with the rank of Instructor, Associate Instructor, or Senior Instructor determined by qualifications and experience. Salary and rank are commensurate with academic qualifications and experience for a regional comprehensive university. Preferred start date is August 1, 2026, with consideration for January 1, 2027.

Candidates should have expertise and interest in environmental health and/or occupational health & safety. We encourage candidates with the ability to teach courses such as introductory environmental health, introductory public health, introductory global health, food safety, occupational health & safety, or environmental/community risk assessment to apply. Responsibilities of the position include: (1) teaching undergraduate courses within the residential Environmental Health Sciences curriculum; (2) providing meaningful service to the university, profession, and community; and (3) advising and mentoring undergraduate students in collaboration with the Advising Center. Opportunities for summer teaching and additional compensation are available.

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 Universitys commitment to Honoring Our Promise. The Environmental Health Sciences holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

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 restricted Department of Integrated and Environmental Health Sciences within the College of Health Sciences. The Environmental Health Sciences 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 within a dynamic public health and scientific landscape. The ENVH faculty seek to be leaders in engaged and experiential learning in the field of environmental health science to improve the health of communities. As such, the ENVH program is a recognized WCU 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 prepared for successful careers in environmental public health practice or continued graduate education.

The Department of Integrated and Environmental Health Sciences Program offers undergraduate programs in Environmental Health and Integrated Health Sciences, and a Master of Health Sciences. Additional programs within the College of Health and Human Sciences include Therapeutic and Clinical Healthcare, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A collaborative environment conducive to interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship and service exists within the Department and College of Health and Human Sciences. Western North Carolinas 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 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.

Reports To: Department Head, Integrated and Environmental Health Sciences

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the vision and mission of Environmental Health Sciences program, along with that of the Department, College, and University.
• Develop and deliver content and courses within the Environmental Health Sciences program such as, but not limited to, Introduction to Public Health, Introduction to Environmental Health, Food Sanitation and Protection, Occupational Health and Safety.
• Mentor and advise students in collaboration with the Advising Center about academic progress and professional development.
• 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, Department of Integrated and Environmental 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, Department of Integrated and Environmental Health Sciences, and Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in environmental health, public health, environmental biology, or related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline.
• Prior teaching experience in the environmental health discipline
• Ability to teach introductory undergraduate courses in environmental health
• Research or practice-based experience in environmental health
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional credentials or certifications in environmental health (i.e., Registered Environmental Health Specialist), 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).

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following:

1. Letter of application
2. Current CV
3. List of a minimum of 3 professional references with complete contact information
4. Description of your teaching philosophy
5. Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the masters degree level and higher*
6. Copy of credentials and certifications (if applicable)

For questions or additional information please contact:
Dr. Kim Hall
Program Director - Environmental Health Sciences Program
E-mail: kkhall@wcu.edu
Phone: (828)227-2654