ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Occidental College seeks an Assistant Professor in Urban and Environmental Policy, focusing on housing and transportation as they relate to race, place, and inequality. This tenure-track role emphasizes teaching undergraduate students to analyze data, conduct community-oriented research, and develop equitable policies. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. or be ABD, with a commitment to social justice and community engagement. Responsibilities include teaching, mentoring students, contributing to departmental activities, and conducting research.
About the position

The Urban and Environmental Policy Department at Occidental College invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in the field(s) of housing and/or transportation related to race, place, inequality, and urban policy. This tenure-track position is designed for scholar-teachers who understand the intricate connections between urban and environmental issues and the increasing inequality that exacerbates social, economic, and political divisions. The ideal candidate will be committed to teaching undergraduate students how to analyze and utilize relevant data sets, generate community-relevant research questions, and develop policy approaches that address existing inequities while ensuring long-term environmental and economic sustainability with equity and democratic governance at its core. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and growing interdisciplinary department within an urban liberal arts college located in Los Angeles. The Urban and Environmental Policy Department's mission is to provide an interdisciplinary academic program grounded in rigorous scholarship, community-based teaching, learning, and research, with a commitment to social justice. The department aims to cultivate critical thinking, writing and speaking skills, policy development knowledge, and an ability to engage with diverse communities and institutions. The new hire will contribute to the department's goals related to community-based learning and research, and will be expected to participate actively in the life and development of the department, advise students, and serve on faculty governance committees. In the first year, the new hire will teach four courses, with no committee or advising responsibilities, transitioning to a normal teaching load of five courses per year in subsequent years. All faculty are eligible for a pre-tenure leave in the fourth year, pending favorable review, and a one-semester sabbatical every fourth year after tenure. Candidates are expected to hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their field, with ABD candidates considered if close to completion. Non-traditional candidates with extensive professional and community experience and demonstrated research and teaching capabilities may also be considered.

Responsibilities
• Teach undergraduate courses in urban and environmental policy, including Urban Data Analysis, Environment and Society, and the Senior Policy Seminar.
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• Develop and teach courses of your own design related to urban and environmental issues.
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• Engage in community-based learning and research initiatives that align with the department's mission.
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• Advise and mentor undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented and historically marginalized backgrounds.
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• Contribute to the life and development of the department through participation in faculty governance committees and other departmental activities.
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• Conduct research and publish findings, particularly involving undergraduate researchers.

Requirements
• Ph.D. or terminal degree in a relevant field (ABD candidates close to completion will be considered).
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• Demonstrated experience and interest in teaching housing and/or transportation related to race, place, inequality, and urban policy.
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• Ability to teach quantitative/mixed methods and/or spatial methods in applied and community-engaged research.
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• A clear pedagogical approach and a demonstrated record of effective teaching and advising.
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• Experience in applied and/or community-engaged learning and research.
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• A clearly articulated research agenda with potential for research and publication.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with creative and applied methods, particularly quantitative and/or spatial approaches in teaching and research.
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• Commitment to teaching in an urban liberal arts college setting.
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• Experience mentoring underrepresented and historically marginalized students.

Benefits
• Competitive salary range of $85,000 - $92,000 based on experience and qualifications.
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• Comprehensive health, dental, life, and retirement benefits.
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• Tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents.
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• Use of gym facilities and the College Library.
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• Moving expense reimbursement up to $5000, taxable according to IRS regulations.
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• Start-up funds and a one-course reduction of teaching load in the first year.