Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Urban Planning

Western Washington University with over 15000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school is nationally recognized for its educational programs students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham Washington a coastal community of 90000 overlooking Bellingham Bay the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes Bremerton Everett Port Angeles and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes such as being named one of the top public masters-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success increasing our Washington impact and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship research and creative activity. Westerns greatest strength is the outstanding students faculty staff and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can pursuit of this excellence individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff faculty administration student and external constituents. Further individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic societal environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

Westerns College of the Environment is the oldest interdisciplinary environmental college in the U.S. and is known nationally and internationally for its excellence in educating the next generation of leaders in fields related to the environment (broadly defined). The College of the Environments academic programs address various aspects of the relationships between natural built and social worlds.

The Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy (UEPP) housed in Western Washington Universitys College of the Environment is a dynamic and growing department with strategic emphasis on linking knowledge and action. The department offers three bachelors degrees: BA in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development BA in Urban Sustainability and BA in Environmental Policy. The department also offers a Masters degree in Urban Planning and Environmental Sustainability. The BA in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development is a nationally accredited program by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Our department has cultivated deep relationships with local and state agencies and organizations local communities and Tribal Nations through applied research and engaged teaching to advance sustainable and equitable development. Our students are engaged in faculty-mentored projects internships and research. They regularly present their work at regional and national meetings. Students are also actively involved in outreach inclusion professional development and leadership activities. Additionally several faculty-led initiatives and committees focus on diversity and inclusivity in the classroom and beyond.

We are committed to diversity and excellence in our faculty students and staff. We especially encourage candidates who share and can contribute to this commitment through active engagement in the department university and wider community. the Position

WWU invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Planning Law and Land Use Regulations beginning Fall 2026. The Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy and the College of the Environment support Westerns mission which states that together with our students staff and faculty we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women people of color people with disabilities and those with the ability to be sensitive to and inclusive of students with marginalized identities and backgrounds.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach Land Use Law Regulations Quantitative and Spatial Analysis Methods in Planning planning studios and Environmental Impact Assessment as well as appropriate special topics courses. The position requires a demonstrable foundation in urban studies and planning and the ability to teach and mentor students in applied client-based planning projects. We welcome candidates with teaching and research interests in one or more of the following areas: housing climate adaptation and resilience environmental justice tribal and Indigenous planning transportation and/or rural and regional development. The position also emphasizes working teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive environments for all students faculty and staff. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an active research program involving undergraduate and graduate students.
The successful candidate is expected to contribute to shaping the future of UEPPs undergraduate and graduate curricula and programs. The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to excellence through teaching applied research and service with a focus on transformative social change and supporting equity and justice for all.

• a PhD in urban planning JD in land use law or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution (if ABD all degree requirements must be complete by June 15th of the first year of employment).
• expertise in planning and zoning laws land use regulations and related quantitative and spatial planning methods (e.g. research methods data analysis and mapping data communication and presentation comparative statistics).
• high-quality scholarship in the field of urban planning.
• record of or demonstrable ability for high-quality and inclusive teaching in one or more of the following areas: urban planning studio housing climate adaptation and resilience tribal and Indigenous planning transportation and/or rural and regional development
• ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues including a demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.

• demonstrable ability to manage field practicum logistics and planning including with community partner organizations or other entities.
• demonstrable ability to work with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations through planning projects and research.
• demonstrable experience and/or interest in collaborating with local community-based organizations and other organizations representing Washingtons Indigenous immigrant and/or minority communities.
• research and/or teaching that intersects land use law and zoning regulations with one or more of the following areas: housing climate adaptation and resilience Tribal and Indigenous planning transportation and/or rural and regional development.
• demonstrable commitment to establishing a vigorous research program involving undergraduate and graduate students. The focus of an individuals research specialization is open to relevant areas of urban planning.
• demonstrable ability to work across a range of scales from the neighborhood to the region and globally.
• skill in experiential and critical pedagogies suitable to classroom and/or field settings.
• certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners or interest in obtaining certification.

Salary

The starting salary range for assistant professor appointment tenure-track is generally between $77000-$82000 with placement within the positions salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $77000-$93000 with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments.Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Bargaining Unit

United Faculty of Western Washington

Required Application Materials

The following materials are required:

• A letter of application addressing the above qualifications outlining teaching philosophy and demonstrating student outcomes as applicable
• Current curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three references*
• Verification of highest degree (unofficial transcript is acceptable and may be scanned for electronic application and email purposes)
• List of current UEPP courses that the applicant feels qualified to teach as well as potential new courses
• UEPP is committed to diversity and inclusive excellence in our faculty students and staff and we especially encourage candidates who share and can contribute to this commitment. Please provide a statement that addresses your past and/or potential contributions to these values.

* Following the submission of your application reference letters will be automatically requested from these individuals via the PageUp system.

Application review begins March 9 2026; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity compliance with applicable laws WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race ethnicity color national origin age citizenship or immigration status pregnancy use of protective leave genetic status sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression marital status creed religion veteran or military status disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law in its programs or activities including employment admissions and educational programs. See WWUs Policies onProhibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance Title IX and ADA Coordinator Western Washington University Old Main 126 (MS 9021) 516 High Street Bellingham WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);

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