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POSITION OPENING: Michigan State University/Boone and Crockett Club tenure track endowed faculty position

The Boone and Crockett Endowed Chair in Wildlife Policy, Governance, and Leadership

A partnership between Michigan State University and the Boone and Crockett Club for providing future leadership in wildlife conservation.

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The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking to fill an academic year (9-month) tenure track endowed faculty position. The individual selected for this position will represent MSU in their partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club to develop a nationally recognized program in wildlife policy (including regulatory and non-regulatory approaches), governance and conservation leadership. The selected individual will be adept at transferring science to wildlife policy development, implementation, and evaluation, with a focus on governance of wildlife resources and their habitats in the United States from a biological, social, and economic perspective. Additionally, expertise of this individual will concentrate on leadership principles and practices in managing the business of ecosystem goods, governance and service related to outdoor recreational assets. Besides working directly with the Boone and Crockett Club, the selected individual will foster relationships with state, federal, private, or tribal wildlife management organizations to attain broad-based support for programs. The Boone and Crockett Endowed Chair will join a diverse group of faculty members, post‐doctoral scholars, staff, specialists, and students who provide a vibrant, internationally recognized program of research, instruction, and outreach to achieve science-based fisheries and wildlife conservation.

Position Duties

Primary assignment areas will be 40% research, 20% teaching, 20% outreach, and 20% leadership/service. The successful candidate will teach an undergraduate course in wildlife policy (or related topic) every year and offer a graduate-level seminar or experience every other year. Additionally, the candidate will contribute towards a hub of excellence in environmental policy, governance, and leadership in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The candidate will secure external funding from diverse sources to support a vibrant research and outreach and engagement program, which includes advising graduate and undergraduate students. The candidate’s program will align with the Boone and Crockett Club creed and be responsive to needs of external partners (e.g., Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies).

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. or J.D. in wildlife, environmental science, environmental law, environmental public policy, or related field with demonstrated expertise in using science to develop, implement, and evaluate wildlife conservation policy. The candidate must have a well-proven record of scholarship (e.g., publications, grants) consistent with university expectations for tenure, 2 and be willing to administer the Boone and Crockett program at MSU. Furthermore, the successful candidate will show leadership in integrating ecology, social dimensions, and economics into wildlife conservation policy; have experience working with broad wildlife interest groups, leading inter-disciplinary teams; and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within natural resource professions.

Desired Qualifications

An established network of policy makers, wildlife managers, Boone and Crockett partners and constituents, or other relationships important to advancing the profile of the Boone and Crockett Program, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Michigan State University. An ability to work with this network to develop methods and knowledges required to shape wildlife policy decisions, potentially including approaches to organize operational structures that advance wildlife conservation, exploration of linkages between wildlife production and consumptive and non-consumptive supply chains, or development of tools that inform creation or modification of wildlife policy.

Instructions for Applying

On the MSU Public Job Postings site (http://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/listing/) search for Job# 723984 and submit an application that includes:

  • A letter of application (2 page maximum) describing how your interests, background, and professional experience match the job description.
  • A vision statement for the position (2 page maximum), explicitly linking to the creed of the Boone and Crockett Club and mission of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU.
  • A teaching and student mentoring philosophy (1 page maximum).
  • An explanation (2 page maximum) of how you will contribute to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Names and contact information of 6 professional references.

For additional information, interested individuals can contact the Search Committee Chair:

Shawn J. Riley, Parish Storrs Lovejoy Professor of Wildlife Management
[email protected]
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Michigan State University (MSU)


Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. A member of the Association of American Universities, MSU is a research-intensive institution with 17 degree-granting colleges.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.