Western Carolina University
Department: Civil Engineering and Construction
About WCU
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
- 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
- 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
- 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
- 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.
The College of Engineering (COE) at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing! The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our engineering and construction management programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study. Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves on having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to regional economic development and changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience at our main rural campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina, and at sites in Asheville and across western NC. The college's programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region and are advancing the university to be one of the nation's premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond.
The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction (CEC) invites applications for several; Fixed Term Visiting Assistant Professor of Construction Management. This is a nine (9) month, fixed-term position with an anticipated start date of January 2027.
Candidates will be expected to teach across a broad range of construction management topics. This position is also expected to provide a considerable level of service to the Department, College, and University including student advising and mentoring, planning and leading outreach activities, organizing and mentoring student clubs and organizations, and other similar student and industry focused activities.
The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction houses on-campus undergraduate degree programs in Construction Management and Civil Engineering and an online non-thesis based graduate degree program in Construction Management. The College also has a Master of Engineering (MSE) and a Master of Engineering Technology (MSET) graduate program. Both the Construction Management and Civil Engineering programs are ABET accredited.
Successful candidates will be expected to support the University's external engagement mission and our Quality Enhancement Program (QEP). Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website www.wcu.edu to learn more about WCU and details regarding the QEP.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position
Candidates will be expected to teach across a broad range of construction management topics including, but not limited to construction materials and methods, estimating, scheduling, project management, construction codes and documents, sustainability, construction law, etc. Applicants must demonstrate potential for excellence in both teaching, service and professional competency. Candidates should have a strong commitment to contribute to the intellectual and practical lives of students and other stakeholders of the Department, College, University, and Construction Industry.
Minimum Qualifications
Possess an earned Master's degree or equivalent in construction management, building sciences, civil engineering, construction engineering, architectural engineering or closely related discipline at the time of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred candidates will have one or more of the following:
- Have a minimum of three (3) or more years of U.S. project-based construction industry experience.
- Upper-level management experience in the construction industry.
- Relevant professional registration and/or certifications (PE, CPC, PMP, PSP, etc.).
- University-level teaching experience including online/distance education.
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:
- letter of application
- current CV
- statement of teaching and student engagement goals
- statement of professional development and technical competency goals
- unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned*
- a list of three professional references with full contact information
For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Bruce Gehrig, Director of the Kimmel School of Construction Management at ggehrig@wcu.edu
*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35460