Assistant Program Director, Applied Climate Studies

Warren Wilson College welcomes applicants for an Assistant Program Director position in the Master of Science in Applied Climate Studies (MACS) program, a low-residency graduate program enrolling its first cohort in June 2025. This exciting new program provides a great opportunity for an experienced and motivated academic professional to be part of designing, building, and managing a deeply applied program to address what may be the most critically important issue of this time. Warren Wilson College is known for our commitment to addressing climate issues for decades, and this MS program builds on that and is engaged in a partnership with Warren Wilson's Center for Working Lands and its Climate Action Now initiative.
The MS in Applied Climate Studies program combines cutting-edge on-site experience, experimentation, and demonstrations with on-line and virtual work in climate science, climate data analysis, data visualization, communication, climate justice, policy, planning, management, decision-making, and leadership. The experience is grounded in 12-day residencies that take place each June, offering field skills, facilitation skills, field trips, and other in-person experiences that prepare students for the program and provide platforms for students to demonstrate lessons and competencies. In fall and spring, on-line classes provide content, projects, and skills building. The program offers professional skills modules that complement the offerings of each semester. Students also work on small teams with a community partner on year-long projects that allow them to apply what they are learning in the classes and build experience.
We seek a highly motivated climate professional with a STEM background, a sustainability mindset, and project management experience to work collaboratively in managing this graduate program. Competitive candidates will have a minimum of a graduate degree and previous professional experience in events or program logistics coordination, preferably in a higher education setting. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of fluency with multiple software platforms including Zoom, Google suite, Microsoft office, familiarity with Moodle, and web content management. Previous teaching experience, including online teaching in higher education is desired. This is a full-time, exempt benefit eligible position. Occasional travel, some driving, and evening and weekend work hours during program residencies are a part of this position. Maturity, patience, troubleshooting, grace-under-pressure, discretion, and a sense of humor; creativity, imagination, flexibility, endurance and initiative are all valued.
Working with the Director and Graduate Programs Manager, the Assistant Program Director collaborates in many aspects of designing and delivering the MS in Applied Climate Studies program. This position is responsible for 1) managing the applied research projects (team-based and individual (including students, community partners, and academic faculty); 2) assisting with recruiting of students into the program; 3) designing and leading parts of the residency; 4) collaborating on management of the program; 5) advising students in the program; 6) teaching class sessions on professional project management at the residencies and in on-line courses; and 7) supporting program direction and management in many other ways. There is also the potential and desire for this person to design and teach one (or parts of several) of the substantial on-line courses in the program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A graduate degree that connects to the mission of the program. At least one year experience teaching in an academic setting.Demonstrated ability to coordinate/collaborate with a broad range of constituents (including community partners, faculty, students, staff, and others).Demonstrated ability to design and teach project management modules; Ability to assist and guide students in project management.Exceptional management and organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize and to perform multiple tasks efficiently.Demonstrated excellence in all forms of communication, including writing, interpersonal, engagement, on-line, and presentation skills. Demonstrated fluency with Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Wordpress and website maintenance, and spreadsheet and database software. Familiarity with Moodle.Demonstrated experience with advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in learning spaces. For instance, experience incorporating inclusive teaching modalities, selection of course content, subject matter experts and working with diverse student and faculty populations (e.g., racial/ethnic, income, immigration status, sexual orientation/gender identification, etc.). Experience in event planning.Experience with program or logistics coordination, or other similar role for a business or non-profit organization.A valid Driver's License PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS A PhD in a climate-related or sustainability field. Five years of experience teaching in a climate-related area in an academic program. Advanced teaching skills including on-line approaches to teaching in higher education.Experience teaching at the graduate level. Experience in budget management and analysis.Experience in academic administration. Interested individuals should submit a resume or CV and cover letter, in a PDF format. The cover letter should describe your experience working with people from a diverse range of identities and experiences as well as your efforts to create inclusive learning spaces. All applications must be received electronically.
First consideration will be given to candidates who apply by Friday, December 6th. Electronic submission is required. Please be aware no relocation assistance is available for this position.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE: Warren Wilson College is located on a beautiful 1,135-acre campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. We enroll approximately 750 undergraduates and 100 graduates. Rooted in liberal arts education, the College provides educational programs that foster students' curiosity, empathy, and integrity to prepare graduates to engage in groundbreaking scholarship and creative work; to pursue meaningful careers with professionalism; and to lead purposeful lives dedicated to fostering a just, equitable, and sustainable world.
As the National Leader for Learning in Action, our Progressive Promise articulates our innovative educational approach that intentionally integrates academics, campus work and community engagement for a rich, challenging student experience. Our students matriculate through deliberately scaffolded courses and signature capstone experiences that combine intellectual foundations with experiential skill development and problem solving.
We are committed to a culture of educational access and to ensuring that students and employees from a diverse range of identities and experiences will thrive in this community. We seek and support an academically and culturally diverse faculty and staff with a genuine interest in our innovative approach to education and focus on inclusive excellence, as well as a willingness to fully participate in the life of the College. We welcome applications from individuals who have experience working with diverse student populations.
Warren Wilson College is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.