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Vacancy Announcement

Endowed Faculty Tenure-Track Position Starting Fall 2027

Department of Sociology

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) that strives to foster an equitable and inclusive community that supports our students of diverse backgrounds. Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty of the highest quality committed promoting excellence for all students. 

Cal Poly Humboldt and the Department of Sociology invite applicants for a full-time, academic year, endowed tenure-track faculty position with an emphasis in Cannabis Studies. Applicants should advance research on the environment, historical, cultural, or economic aspects of cannabis and society. The successful candidate may have the opportunity to serve as Program Leader guiding the transformation, marketing, and recruitment for the major.

The Department of Sociology offers several degree programs: a BA in Cannabis Studies, BA in Criminology and Justice Studies, a BA in Sociology, and an MA in Public Sociology. We are a growing Department of over 175 undergraduate and graduate students. We are one of the largest departments in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and one of the most diverse departments on campus. About half of the students in our programs identify as students of color, first-generation college students, and/or Pell Grant recipients. The MA program offers students two experience options: teaching sociology and practicing sociology. We enroll 25-30 graduate students annually with new cohorts of 10-15 joining the Department each year.

For more information about the department, please visit: https://www.humboldt.edu/sociology

Candidates should be committed to teaching excellence and to building a strong research record. Instructional assignments may include:  Introduction to Cannabis Studies, Humboldt and Cannabis, Global Cannabis, Cannabis and Social Equity, Cannabis Law and Public Policy, Quantitative Research Methods, Cannabis and Environmental Sustainability and/or Cannabis Regulatory and Environmental Requirements.  Instructional assignments will be consistent with the programmatic needs of the department and students. The successful candidate may have the opportunity to serve as Cannabis Studies Program Leader, which includes leadership in curriculum development, program assessment, as well as active engagement in student recruitment and outreach efforts to attract a diverse student body and support pathways into cannabis related careers. 

The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and service to the University, profession and to the community. These responsibilities include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide communities, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions. Probationary faculty are typically provided ongoing mentorship to be a successful member of the faculty. During the first two years of the probationary period, teaching responsibilities will be reduced by approximately one course each semester. The reduced teaching load supports the establishment of research, scholarship and/or creative activities required for retention, tenure, and promotion.

Cal Poly Humboldt also continues to build unique and innovative learning opportunities for students, bridging multiple disciplines across the spectrum. Cal Poly Humboldt is a leader in "learning communities" that build relationships between students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the community. These communities incorporate environmental and social responsibility.

We seek to fill this position at the Assistant Professor rank; however, rank and salary are dependent on the appointee's qualifications and experience. The Assistant Professor Classification annual salary range for this position is $74,652 - $158,688; the anticipated starting annual salary range is $80,000 - $84,000.

Cal Poly Humboldt provides an excellent benefits package for faculty. Information about benefits plans can be found at: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf 

An earned Ph.D. or equivalent in Sociology, Cannabis Studies/Policy, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required at the time of appointment.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Record of training or experience in the field of cannabis policy and history;
• Excellence in, or clear potential for, university-level teaching and creating a student-centered learning environment;
• Evidence of, or clear potential for, conducting and publishing original research on cannabis history, policy, or culture in peer-reviewed journals;
• Demonstrated experience in, or clear potential for, interdisciplinary collaborations across campus;
• Expertise in theoretical frameworks related to social justice, equity, and environmental stewardship, or related critical approaches within cannabis studies;
• Professional engagement within cannabis-related scholarly or applied networks;
• Experience translating research into policy, applied practice, or  program development;
• Demonstrated interest in curricular development within Cannabis Studies and program-level leadership, with a willingness to take an active role in guiding programmatic changes;
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse student and/or research populations;
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity addressing issues of concern facing students from diverse backgrounds in higher education;
• Record of, or potential for, mentoring and involving students in research and scholarly activity; and
• Willingness to contribute to student recruitment and outreach efforts related to program growth.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

• Engagement in watershed advocacy, agriculture,  water management, or related  public policy work;
• Experience teaching quantitative research methods and analysis;
• Experience with interdisciplinary teaching or building curricular connections across programs or majors;
• Experience or demonstrated potential in grant writing;
• Interest, or experience in developing online learning experiences and utilizing instructional technologies; and
• Prior program- or department-level leadership and administrative experience is highly desired

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Pursuant to the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy (effective January 1, 2022), hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of the state of California is prohibited. The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States. For information on the University policy on support for non-immigrant probationary faculty visa acquisition, please visit the Faculty Immigration Resources page: https://www.humboldt.edu/academic-personnel-services/faculty-immigration-resources

Evidence of degree(s) is required at time of hire.

Qualified candidates should submit the following materials through PageUp:   

• Letter of Application;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy, including how it relates to supporting students who have been historically marginalized and/or minoritized;
• Statement of program vision that outlines both your research agenda and capacity for program development and leadership in Cannabis Studies (2 page limit);
• Teaching Evaluations, if available;
• Scholarly Writing Sample;
• Syllabi for Relevant Courses (One or more for those taught or proposed);
• Graduate Transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review); and
• Names and Contact Information for Three (3) Professional References.

Additional application materials may be requested at a later time.

Questions concerning the application process may be directed to: aps@humboldt.edu

Questions concerning this position may be directed to: Josh Meisel, Search Committee Chair, meisel@humboldt.edu 

Please refer to the requisition job number on all correspondence and inquiries regarding this position.

As an institution, Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic, student-centered practices and policies that fully engage the campus community. The ideal candidate will share Cal Poly Humboldt's commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives.

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, ability, and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, and students who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

Cal Poly Humboldt sits on the traditional homelands of the Wiyot people in what is currently called Arcata, CA. The Wiyot people call the area Goudi'ni (over in the woods). The Cal Poly Humboldt campus in Northern California is in close proximity to several thriving Native American tribes and communities. Cal Poly Humboldt currently has the largest percentage of Native American students in the CSU system and has over 30 Native American faculty and staff many from local area California Indian tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt is home to a number of leading Native American programs including the Indian Tribal Education and Personnel Program (ITEPP) and the Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP). There are also many opportunities at Cal Poly Humboldt to conduct research, teaching and community work on Native American history and cultures in Special Collections at the Cal Poly Humboldt library. The Humboldt Room in the Library has fantastic resources for tribally focused archive materials from the region. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to build a supportive and inclusive Native community and engages with Native communities through various initiatives and opportunities like the annual California Indian Big Time and Indigenous People's Week and a chance to network with other faculty and staff as part of the Cal Poly Humboldt Council of American Indian Faculty and Staff. For more information, please visit: www.humboldt.edu/nasp

This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than September 13, 2026, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university. Early response is encouraged.

See more photos at Cal Poly Humboldt's Flickr page. 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide complete and accurate employment information. Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) will be required prior to the appointment date. A background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) must be completed satisfactorily as a condition of employment with the CSU. Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Adverse findings from a background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

 All CSU employees are obligated to respond to and report incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Compliance with the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 (EO 1083) is a condition of employment.  CSU employees in positions with duties that involve regular contact with children or positions which supervise such employees are designated as Mandated Reporters under CANRA and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in EO 1083.  Upon appointment to this position, the successful candidate(s) will be notified of and required to acknowledge their CANRA reporting status.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017 are subject to a 10 year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If accommodations need to be made during the recruitment and interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 826-3626 or hr@humboldt.edu

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualific...