Description
Position Title:
Assistant Professor of Geography
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
33600 - Social Sciences
Advertised Salary:
$74,000 to $77,000 Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Faculty Health Benefit Plans
FLSA:
Exempt
Temporary/Continuing:
Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time:
Full-Time
Union Group:
Ferris Faculty Association (MEA-NEA)
Term of Position:
9 Month
At Will/Just Cause:
At Will
Summary of Position:
The Social and Behavioral Sciences Department in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education seeks qualified candidates for a tenure-track position in Geography. The successful candidate will instruct general education and programmatic courses in various areas of human and regional geography, including World Regional Geography, Geography of US and Canada, Geography of Michigan, and other courses in keeping with department needs and candidate expertise. Additionally, our ideal candidate will teach Social Studies Education, a capstone course focused on the C3 framework and instruction of Social Studies content for secondary education teachers-in-training. Our department works closely with the School of Education to deliver content courses, advising, and assessment for Social Studies Education as required by the Michigan Department of Education and various accrediting bodies, and our ideal candidate will help to coordinate these activities and will model evidence-based pedagogical practices in the classroom.
Additional responsibilities include advising students; contributing to the department, college, university, and profession through participation on committees and other forms of service or scholarly activity; and participating in appropriate, ongoing professional development.
Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment.
The start date of this position is August 2026.
Position Type:
Faculty - Temporary & Continuing
Required Education:
Ph.D. in Geography or Geography Education
Required Work Experience:
Higher education teaching experience.
Required Licenses and Certifications:
Physical Demands:
Office Environment
Bending
Carrying
Moving
Reaching
Sitting
Twisting
Driving
Repetitive movement
Standing
Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:
-Work experience and/or research expertise in Geography Education and/or K-12 Social Studies Education
-Ability to utilize GIS in research and instruct introductory level GIS courses
-ABD Candidates may be considered, but degree will need to be completed prior to position start date
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Instruct courses including World Regional Geography, Geography of US and Canada, Geography of Michigan, Social Studies Education, and other courses as determined by candidate expertise and department needs
Work closely with the School of Education to support the needs of Social Studies Teachers in Training and assist with assessment required by the Michigan Department of Education and various accrediting bodies
Operates a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Faculty members also have professional responsibilities which include advising students, orientation and registration of students, participation in university committees, keeping regular posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (i.e. reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time). Faculty members may be required to teach off-campus or in an on-line environment.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:
Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Required Documents:
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Unofficial Transcript 1
Teaching Philosophy
Optional Documents:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of doctoral degree or ABD status. Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript showing completion of PhD.
Initial Application Review Date:
January 12, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?:
Yes
Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement:
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.
