AssistantAssociate Professor of Wildlife Extension

Job Description

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Wildlife Extension. This position will provide statewide leadership at the intersection of wildlife science applied research extension education and public engagement. The faculty member will connect Virginia Tech research with Virginia Cooperative Extension wildlife management agencies landowners local governments agricultural producers natural resource professionals and communities across the Commonwealth.
Priority program areas could include wildlife health and wildlife-vectored diseases human-wildlife conflict/coexistence deer and bear management invasive and exotic wildlife habitat conservation in rapidly changing landscapes and public understanding of wildlife conservation and sustainable use.

Position Expectations
The anticipated allocation is 50% extension 35% research 10% teaching and 5% service.
The extension program is expected to include an assessment of stakeholder needs and the development of programming and materials to address these needs such as statewide workshops webinars field days landowner trainings agent professional development publications decision-support tools and digital resources and ultimately documenting the impact of programming. The faculty member will work closely with Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists Agriculture and Natural Resource agents and partners such as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Wildlife Services Virginia Department of Forestry non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local governments.
The successful candidate will establish a competitive externally funded applied research program that supports graduate students. The faculty member will submit competitive proposals beginning in the first year pursue appropriate capacity and external funds develop collaborations across the university and produce peer-reviewed publications extension scholarship conference presentations and impact reports.
The faculty member will teach a 0:1 course load with teaching focused on FIW 4454 Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Coexistence anticipated annually in the spring and will contribute to graduate education and mentoring through applied research and extension scholarship.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in wildlife science human dimensions of wildlife natural resources ecology extension education or a closely related field by appointment start date.
Demonstrated expertise relevant to wildlife management human-wildlife conflict and coexistence wildlife health habitat management or human dimensions.
Evidence of ability to develop and deliver research-based educational programs for professional and public audiences.
Evidence of strong potential for externally funded applied research.
Demonstrated effectiveness in verbal and written communication including a peer-reviewed publication record.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with Cooperative Extension state or federal wildlife agencies landowners local governments or stakeholder organizations.
Graduate student mentoring experience.
For appointment at Associate Professor a record of sustained scholarly productivity strong record of external funding and extension or engagement leadership commensurate with rank.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/15/2026

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Applicants should submit:

1) Cover letter describing their interest in the position

2) Curriculum vitae

3) A 1-2 page statement describing their extension or professional program as appropriate to the position

4) A 1-2 page statement describing their research program

5) A 1-2 page statement describing their teaching and mentoring approach and how the candidate would tie all three missions together as a programmatic theme

6) Names and contact information for three professional references

Additional materials may be requested as the search progresses.

Inquiries should be addressed to the Search Committee Chair with an email header that reads WILDLIFE EXTENSION POSITION:
Dr. Elizabeth A. Hunter
Assistant Unit Leader and Assistant Professor
USGS Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Virginia Tech
Email:

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.