How to Apply
The School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of LEO Lecturer Intermittent to teach one class in Fall 2026 on Evidence-Based Practice in Environmental Education, Communication, and Interpretation. A specific course description is included in the Job Summary below. Applications are welcome and encouraged regardless of background and identity.
To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. In addition, the following materials must be submitted as one PDF document along with your application on the UM Jobs site.
- A cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position and outlines experience that directly relates to this position. The cover letter may be up to two single-spaced pages.
- Curriculum vitae
Names of three individuals who can serve as references.
If considered, you will be contacted and interviewed remotely. The start date for this position is expected to be August 25, 2026
Please contact Nicole Rutherford, [email protected], if you have any questions.
This position is subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement. The full LEO contract can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/sites/default/files/um-leo-agreement-2021-2024-final.pdf.
Job Summary
The School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a part-time lecturer position in Environmental Education, Communication, and Interpretation. The candidate will primarily support teaching and advising in the multidisciplinary Behavior, Education, and Communication Specialization at SEAS.
We seek candidates who have deep scholarly and professional knowledge of environmental/sustainability education, interpretation and communication, including an understanding of effective educational, communication and interpretive strategies in the context of the environment, with a significant focus on research-informed practices for environmental education, communication and interpretation across a variety of contexts, including in formal, non-formal, in-formal, and adult/community settings. An understanding of relationships among education, environmental systems, and social, cultural, economic, and political systems, and commitment to using cutting-edge analytical and pedagogical approaches to understanding how instruction and discourse shape our relationship with the environment and contribute to solving real-world environmental and sustainability challenges. The successful candidate should have demonstrated evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration and connections with educational actors in a range of settings, research, policy, and/or civil society groups and professional organizations focused on environmental/sustainability education and communication.
This is an Intermittent Lecturer appointment which is a non-tenure track position and subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement which can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/contracts.
Mission Statement
At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.
The School offers a Ph.D. as well as both research and professional M.S. degrees in seven specializations: behavior, education, and communication; ecosystem science and management; environmental justice; environmental policy and planning; geospatial data science; sustainability and development; and sustainable systems. The School also offers a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.). The student body includes over 500 M.S./M.L.A. and 60 doctoral students. SEAS also co-manages an undergraduate Program in the Environment and participates in dual master's degree programs with the Schools of Architecture and Urban Planning, Business, Engineering, Law, Public Health, and Public Policy. Additional information about the School can be found at www.seas.umich.edu.
To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Eligibility for benefits is based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/benefits-enrollment/benefits-enrollment-eligibility.
Responsibilities*
Duties and responsibilities for this lecturer position are:
- Teach one course in the Fall 2026 term for 3 credit hours. All courses are expected to be taught in person on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus unless there is a compelling pedagogical reason for remote or hybrid instruction.
- Hold office hours and manage all routine matters related to instruction. While teaching is expected to take place in person, office hours can be held remotely.
- The successful candidate will be expected to support SEAS's teaching mission at both graduate and undergraduate levels, potentially including mentoring.
All class sessions are from August through the end of December.
Required Qualifications*
- Candidates should have a Ph.D. that focuses on environmental and sustainability education or interpretation and must have a record of scholarly publications, over 15 years of practical experience and leadership, as well as a strong professional network, in the areas of environmental, communication, or interpretation, including climate change education or a related field.
- Applicants should have prior experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at the intersection of education, environment, and society, which are specialized topically, theoretically, and/or methodologically.
- Evidence of teaching experience or potential in an interdisciplinary setting is required.
Desired Qualifications*
- The ideal candidate will also have: an environmental justice background that they will be able to infuse into the course, based in part on scholarly and professional experience with civic action education
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
All application materials must be submitted no later than February 26, 2026. Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed remotely. We expect to make an offer of employment no later than April 1, 2026. The anticipated start date for this position is August 25, 2026. This appointment will end December 31, 2026.
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Union Affiliation
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
Application Deadline
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Job openings are posted for a minimum of ten calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.