Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning

This is a joint appointment with the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (UWSP), College of Natural Resources (CNR) within the Environment & Society discipline and the Center for Land Use Education (CLUE), which is funded through an agreement with the Division of Extension at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. As a UWSP faculty member, the candidate has responsibilities for undergraduate teaching (40%) and outreach education (60%). The candidate will be responsible for teaching 3-4 courses per academic year. Courses include Land Use Plan Implementation, Introduction to Sustainable Communities, and other courses determined by the specific qualifications of the assistant professor, needs of the curriculum, and current faculty teaching within the program.

As an Extension Specialist, this position will provide research and outreach for Wisconsin communities 60% of the time.  As a CLUE faculty member, the individual is expected to operate in a team atmosphere to provide land use, natural resources, and community planning education to Wisconsin’s local governments, non-profits, businesses, and the public. One of the primary responsibilities is to create an extension program focused on local government and communities through the lens of land use planning and intergovernmental decision-making. This extension program includes providing technical assistance, education, and applied social science research to CLUE’s audiences. It is critical that the outreach work is visible, accessible, and responsive to various client audiences as described above. Successful Extension Specialists tend to provide research and outreach that is dynamic and flexible to meet the emerging issues facing our communities.  This position will require occasional evening and weekend hours. 

CNR faculty members report directly to the Dean of the College, in consultation with the CLUE director, and are expected to demonstrate scholarly activity and provide service to the College and community.

• Develop extension programming and applied research in support of CLUE program mission and goals.
• Develop and support Extension programming through direct engagement in the program plan of work process in the Community Development Institute.
• Leverage UW-Extension and UW-Stevens Point investments in CLUE by securing extramural funding to support undergraduate and graduate students and staff in support of Extension and applied research missions.

• Teach approximately 3-4 courses per academic year in support of the Conservation and Community Planning degree and other CNR programming.
• Provide support and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students consistent with role as Professor in the CNR.
• As a faculty member of the Environment and Society Discipline in the CNR, participate in curriculum, strategy, and faculty/staff governance and oversight.

**Full position description is available upon request. **

This position serves in the Environment & Society discipline within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (www.uwsp.edu/cnr/). The strength of our program is its interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on hands-on experiences. The College of Natural Resources has approximately 1,550 undergraduates, 50 graduate students, and over 130 faculty and staff. It is home to disciplines in Environment & Society, Fisheries and Water Resources, Forestry, Soil and Waste Resources, Wildlife Ecology, and the Department of Paper Science and Chemical Engineering. It is one of the largest comprehensive natural resources’ undergraduate programs in North America. 

This position will also serve the Center for Land Use Education (CLUE), which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension. CLUE serves both the Natural Resource Institute (NRI) and Community Development Institute (CDI) within Extension. This position would be housed within CDI. CLUE faculty and staff work as a team on a diverse suite of conservation and community planning topics across the state. Our overarching objective is to help Wisconsin communities make informed land use decisions that sustain natural resources and meet community goals. 

The Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning is a full-time, salaried, exempt, annual (12 month) year-based faculty position.

Well-qualified candidates can expect a minimum annual salary of $73,500.00, a final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications. Relocation assistance may be available.

Eligible Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide. Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

• A Ph.D. at or near completion, or other terminal degree in urban and regional planning or related field with a broad understanding of current community development issues, including, but not limited to, comprehensive land use planning, housing, transportation, and sustainability.  The degree must be completed by December 1, 2026, to be considered for retention in the second year.

• Strong analytical and research skills, preferably including quantitative and social science research methods.  
• Experience with community outreach, research, and/or education.  

• Demonstrated research on topics related to community development, comprehensive land use planning, economic development, sustainability, energy, and environmental planning.
• Professional experience developing or administering regulatory tools, such as zoning or subdivision ordinances.
• Demonstrated ability to work across topical areas that are relevant to Wisconsin communities.
• Experience with Extension.
• Experience teaching undergraduates. 
• Experience in experiential teaching and learning methods. 

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by 4/30/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.

Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:

- Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience

- Resume/Curriculum Vitae

- Unofficial Transcripts/Official Transcripts

- Statement of teaching philosophy (1 page)

- Statement of research and outreach relevant to Wisconsin (1 page)

(Official Transcripts will be required of finalist)

After you submit your application you will be unable to edit it. Please be sure to include all required materials at time of application.

Name: Dr. Austin Holland, CLUE Director

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 715-346-3206

If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:

Human Resources

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 715-346-2606

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. 

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you to supply a minimum of three (3) professional references (one (1) of which being a current or former supervisor). It is preferred that you supply five (5) professional references (two (2) of which being a current or former supervisors). Your references will be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit https://www.uwsp.edu/join-uw-stevens-point/ for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit www.stevenspointarea.com.

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or [email protected].

The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at https://www3.uwsp.edu/protsv/Pages/Clery.aspx

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.