Job Title: Instructor/Coordinator : BIOL-Geog 372 Applied Conservation Field Skills
Classification: Faculty/Coordinator, May Session
Duration: Three weeks (May 18 – June 5) in 2026
Applications: Review of applications begins immediately; open until filled
Location: Great Lakes Campus, Mancelona, Michigan USA
About Au Sable
At Au Sable, we believe Christians should be leading the way in solving the earth’s toughest environmental challenges. Through hands-on learning in the outdoors, engaging professors who integrate faith into their instruction, and a supportive community of friends, we inspire and educate students to serve, protect and restore God’s earth. Twenty-two campus-based courses, offered in a 3-week May Session or in two 5-week summer sessions, are intentional in providing field-intensive (>50% or course time outside the classroom) and skills-based experiences through small class sizes that prepare students for careers or further study in environmental vocations.
We seek applicants for a faculty position to teach BIOL-ENVST 372: Applied Conservation Field Skills during the 2026 May Session (May 18–June 5). This intensive, three-week, 100-contact-hour course prepares students for careers in conservation by immersing them in a wide range of applied field practices. Throughout the session, students learn essential skills such as chainsaw safety and maintenance, herbicide application techniques for managing invasive species, principles and practice of prescribed fire, wilderness first aid, the ethical collection and preparation of voucher specimens, and a variety of field survey and ecological data collection methods. The course functions as a Category 2 requirement within both the Restoration Ecology Practitioner Certificate and the Forest & Land Management Practitioner Certificate, emphasizing practical competency, ecological understanding, and readiness for professional conservation work.
The faculty member leading this course will guide a small cohort of 5–14 students in a highly experiential and outdoor-centered learning environment. Because the course draws on several technical disciplines, the instructor will coordinate and supervise a team of external professionals who provide specialized training in areas such as chainsaw operation, prescribed fire, pesticide application, and wilderness first aid. While the instructor is not expected to personally teach every skill, we prefer candidates who hold training authority or professional certification in at least one (ideally two) of these field competencies. The faculty member will also be responsible for weaving together the instructional modules into a cohesive learning experience by providing academic continuity, integrating course themes, and conducting assessment across all components.
In addition to field instruction, the faculty member will contribute to the broader Au Sable learning community. This includes integrating Christian principles of creation care into teaching, participating in weekly campus-wide Integration Days alongside other faculty, and occasionally helping lead Sunday evening vespers during the session. Honoraria funds are available to compensate external trainers who support specialized skills training in the course.
Course Description : BIOL-ENVST 372: Applied Conservation Field Skills (4 credits, 100 contact hours). This intensive field-based course provides hands-on training in foundational conservation skill sets used by natural resource agencies, ecological restoration crews, land stewardship programs, and applied research teams. Students learn chainsaw operation, herbicide application, prescribed fire practices, wilderness first aid, voucher specimen preparation, and ecological survey methods. Through immersive modules led by trained professionals, students develop technical competence, safety awareness, and practical readiness for conservation fieldwork. Field, Applied.
Setting
Au Sable-Great Lakes is located in the north woods of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about 80 miles southwest of the Straits of Mackinac and 40 miles east of Traverse City. The climate is typical of north-temperate regions, although the Great Lakes temper the extremes. Surrounded on three sides by tens of thousands of acres of forests, Au Sable-Great Lakes includes frontage on a 215-acre lake and an adjoining 200 acres of northern hardwoods and conifer forests.
Faculty Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
· PhD or Master’s in ecology, natural resources, forestry, wildlife, environmental science, or a closely related field (ABD considered).
· Demonstrated experience in field-based conservation work, natural resource management, land stewardship, or ecological field techniques.
· Ability to integrate biblical principles of creation care into teaching.
· Experience teaching or supervising students in field-intensive environments.
· Ability to coordinate multiple instructors and ensure consistent academic quality across modules.
· Experience supervising field crews or coordinating applied conservation projects.
Preferred Qualifications
· Professional certification, training authority, or instructor credentials in one or more of the following:
o Prescribed fire / wildland fire (NWCG or state-equivalent preferred)
o Pesticide/herbicide application (state-level licensing or trainer credentials)
o Wilderness First Aid / WFR instructor
o Chainsaw operation (e.g., USFS, Game of Logging, or equivalent)
o Ecological survey methods, GPS/GIS field applications, or biological specimen preparation
· Demonstrated ability to collaborate with conservation agencies, stewardship organizations, or land management partners.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Au Sable Institute is committed to combating racism, sexism, and other systems of oppression. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and all individuals who will contribute to the excellence of the Institute. Au Sable Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.
Salary and Benefits
Salary is $4,500 for this 4-credit course. Housing will be provided for the faculty member and immediate family. Partial reimbursement for mileage or airfare to and from permanent residence to the Great Lakes campus is available.
Application Process
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please send an e-mail with an attached cover letter and resume/CV that clearly states your interest and qualifications for this position to: heath.garris@ausable.org. All applications will be acknowledged and those selected to continue the application process will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who are able to address relevant experience and teaching effectiveness. Additional information, including academic transcripts, may be requested during the review process.
Questions regarding the position or assistance for persons with disabilities can be made to:
Dr. Heath Garris, Au Sable Institute, 7526 Sunset Trail NE, Mancelona, MI 49659
USA Phone: 864-630-8884, Email: heath.garris@ausable.org
