Lecturer in Sustainable Construction Management

Building and Construction Technology Program
University of Massachusetts Amherst

 

The Building and Construction Technology (BCT) program in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (http://bct.eco.umass.edu/) seeks applications for a full-time (9-month academic-year) non-tenure-track appointment as Lecturer in Sustainable Construction Management. The initial appointment will be for two years but is renewable based on performance and program need.

Job Description:

Teaching

The successful candidate’s teaching combines core construction management topics with an integrative approach to sustainability in the built environment. Given that construction projects have increasing demands for sustainable systems, materials, energy solutions, and resource-efficient fabrication processes, it is becoming more and more important for construction project managers to be able to integrate these demands into successful projects. Teaching responsibilities include five courses per year (15 credits):

  • Construction Project Management (3 credits, two terms);
  • Construction Scheduling (2 credits, one term);
  • Capstone Seminar in BCT / Integrative Experience (3 credits, one term);
  • Course in the candidate’s specialization (3 credits, one term);
  • In addition, this position includes organizing guest speakers for one semester as part of a one-credit seminar course.

Courses should include coverage of all relevant core topics with emphasis on sourcing and commissioning of sustainable materials/systems, lean construction, integrated project delivery, BIM, and prefabrication.

The position emphasizes active learning strategies. Candidates must care deeply about education in construction and sustainability, and be a teacher, mentor, and scientist whose interests are broad and support the pedagogy that allows students to gain the ability to analyze and solve complex problems in the built environment.

Service

Service responsibilities include supervision of Associate Schools of Construction (ASC) student competition teams; undergraduate and professional Master’s student advising; maintaining student academic record files; interacting with Registrar’s Office and honors program to manage degree requirements; and organizing and maintaining information for majors concerning scholarships, internships and job opportunities, as well as student recruiting. Work outside of regular hours (2-3 times per semester) may be required to assist with recruitment and other student-focused activities.

Requirements:

Candidates must have a Master’s; a Ph.D is preferred, in Construction Management, Building Science or Technology, Engineering, Architecture or other closely related field. Relevant professional experience in sustainable/green residential and/or commercial construction is required. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in most of these areas: building systems and technology in residential and commercial construction; code-compliant building design; construction project management, estimating and scheduling, construction site protocols, quality control and risk management, innovative construction and delivery methods (e.g. IPD, BIM, prefabrication); and sustainable design & resource-efficient construction practices. A candidate must demonstrate a passion for environmental stewardship and have excellence in oral and written communications; teaching (university level is desirable); interdisciplinary problem solving; and use of information technology and construction software.

The successful candidate will be creative and demonstrate a team-player attitude. They must have an understanding and interest in the sensitive integration of built and natural environments. In addition to serving Building and Construction Technology, the candidate will also interface with Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning, and College of Engineering, so an interdisciplinary mindset is important. The successful candidate will serve, as do all other faculty, as a mentor to minorities and other underrepresented groups within the Department. The University of Massachusetts Amherst places special emphases on faculty-student interaction and a commitment to teach and attract a diverse student body.

Application Instructions:

Earliest start date is January 21, 2018. Review of applications will begin October 2, 2017. The position will remain open until filled. Applicants should submit curriculum vitae, statements of teaching goals, and the names, addresses and contact information of three references. Materials should be submitted online to:

http://umass.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=86622

Specific questions about this search can be directed to:

Alexander C. Schreyer, Chair ()

About Us:

Building and Construction Technology is one of the programs in the Department of Environmental Conservation within the College of Natural Sciences and the School of Earth and Sustainability at UMass Amherst. We are co-located with the Departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning in the UMass Design Building, a newly completed, nationally acclaimed sustainable building on the Amherst campus.

Our department hosts a multi-disciplinary group of faculty with nationally ranked programs in Building and Construction Technology, Natural Resources Conservation, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Science. Our program has an established culture of collegiality and collaboration between faculty, students, staff, industry, and government partners. We commonly teach interdisciplinary classes and share a fundamental commitment to serving a diverse student body and the broader public.

UMass Amherst is part of the Five College Consortium in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, with excellent social, cultural and recreational amenities in a town and rural setting. We are 2 hours from Boston, 3 hours from New York City, and 4.5 hours from Montreal.


The university is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic degree and career.