School of Planning, Design and Construction

Position Description: The School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 12‐month Continuing Academic Specialist with a 85% outreach and 15% teaching assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be May 1, 2024.

This position will focus on adaptive strategies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of communities with an emphasis on climate change and development regulation. Activities will include creating educational programs and technical assistance to the multi‐dimensional challenges of climate resilience and adaptation, renewable energy, sustainable urban design, green infrastructure, and diversity of community engagement in the urban planning process.

Collaborative applied research, teaching, and Extension outreach will be conducted in conjunction with the School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) and Urban and Regional Planning (URP) program in alignment with the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI) within Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). Impactful and inclusive engagement will take place with the various institutes, centers and programs within MSU and MSUE including the CFEI Land Use Team and Center for Local Government and Finance. In addition, this position will teach one course per year in the School of Planning, Design and Construction, with potential topics including community development, sustainable design, and/or climate adaptation.

Required Qualifications: A Master’s degree (in Urban & Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field), earned by the position start date. Substantive knowledge in land use and environmental law and regulations.

Desired Qualifications: A PhD (in Urban & Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field) or a Juris Doctorate (JD) in land use law is preferred. Desired qualifications include previous experience developing and delivering community training programs and facilitation of community planning activities. A strong track record of accessing external funding for research and outreach projects is desired.

Unit Description: The School of Planning, Design, and Construction unites four academic programs related to the built environment: Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning, with 43 faculty and academic specialists, and 8 staff members. The School offers 8 degree pathways from Bachelors to Ph.D. – including 5 professionally accredited degrees with over 500 undergraduate and 75 graduate students. The School is jointly administered by the Colleges of Agriculture & Natural Resources and Social Science.

The mission of the School is to advance the knowledge, prepare innovative leaders, and support the practice of planning, design, and construction. Our academic activities address sustainability, health, transportation, economic development and communities. Please refer to the School’s homepage available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/spdc/.

The MSU Extension Community, Food, and Environment Institute (CFEI) is comprised of approximately 80 community‐based educators across Michigan’s 83 counties. Major program efforts focus on leveraging human and natural assets to enhance government and community vitality, strengthen community food systems, improve Michigan’s natural resources, and strengthen household finances and homeownership education.

Programming, outreach, and educational offerings to enhance government and community vitality through CFEI also center on empowering communities, local and state leaders, and residents alike to create and enhance sustainable built and natural environments. By implementing responsible, innovative, and research‐based best practices in land use, zoning, placemaking, and community development efforts, CFEI professionals ensure communities of all sizes have the tools, resources, and real‐world solutions necessary to thrive and grow in the 21st century.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service‐learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at: https://worklife.msu.edu/dual‐career. Information about other work‐life assistance at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to review information about SPDC’s commitment to DEI at https://www.canr.msu.edu/spdc/about_us/diversity‐equity‐inclusion/.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

To Apply: For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu (posting #928199). Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position and statement of Extension/Outreach philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position; b) current curriculum vitae; c) a description of how you will contribute to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals; and d ) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on February 19, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Marie Ruemenapp, email – ruemenap@msu.edu, 517‐355‐3378. Contact for administrative inquiries: Ms. Mary Beth Graebert, email ‐ lakemary@msu.edu, 517‐353‐5274.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. 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.