Position Summary:
Job Description:
POSITION: Western Colorado University invites applications for a full-time, Assistant Professor for a tenure-track faculty position in Anthropology, with a specialization in applied anthropology in areas such as cultural heritage anthropology. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who is committed to student-centered learning, professional preparation, and inclusive, interdisciplinary education. This is an in-person, on-campus position on our vibrant residential campus in Gunnison, Colorado.
The standard teaching load is 24 credit hours per academic year. The successful candidate will deliver engaging, well-designed courses such as Introduction to General Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology (w/Lab), Cultural Ecology, Native North America, Cultural Resource Management,
and may teach other courses aligned with their expertise and departmental needs. We especially value faculty who engage students in high-impact practices such as internships, research, community-based learning, and who participate in our Western Watershed General Education and First-Year Seminar Headwaters courses. We value faculty who work to prepare students for a livelihood based on their values and aid students in gaining post-graduate opportunities.
The Anthropology Program is part of the Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences and serves over twenty students across its majors and minors. Students can earn a degree in Anthropology, and earn a Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Certificate, combining rigorous academic preparation with high-impact experiential learning.
Western supports its faculty by fostering a collaborative and innovative academic community. Our Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) actively engages faculty, staff, and administrators in cross-campus initiatives designed to reimagine WCU’s educational landscape—rooted in diverse expertise and committed to continuous growth. The Professional Activity Fund (PAF) provides financial support for faculty engaged in research, artistic projects, grant writing, and other scholarly or creative activities, with three application opportunities each year.
Western’s faculty are teacher-scholars who contribute meaningfully to their discipline, the campus, our community, and beyond. We seek candidates who will actively support our institutional mission and strategic priorities, including:
• Participating in our innovative Western Watershed General Education program;
• Promoting wellness, inclusion, and belonging;
• Collaborating within and across disciplines to grow enrollment and deepen student engagement;
• Expanding career-connected learning and professional pathways.
Learn more about the department at: https://western.edu/program/anthropology/
Western is unable to sponsor work authorization for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS: A PhD. with an emphasis in Anthropology is required; ABD also considered for appointment. We seek a candidate with personal or professional experience working with indigenous groups and descendent communities on consultation and assessing cultural significance of non-archaeological resources in areas such as intangibles and TCPs, oral tradition, traditional knowledge, and/or other traditional cultural practices that may be impacted by development. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate education, excellence in teaching, and willingness to work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of all students. Candidates must also be able to use technology in instructional delivery, including the ability to teach online and hybrid courses. Collegiality and professional flexibility are sought in the successful candidate.
SALARY/BENEFITS: $57,000-$60,000 annualized salary. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.
START DATE: August 17, 2026
HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.western.edu/jobs. Required attachments to the application include: letter of application, curriculum vitae, evidence of successful teaching and student engagement, transcripts, evidence of successful scholarly activity, and a reference list with names and contact information of three references, including one from a current supervisor.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Please direct questions to David M. Hyde, at (970) 943-2222; email: [email protected].
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 20, 2025 at 11:59PM (MST).
Screening of applications will begin immediately.
Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte
Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.
Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.
Western Colorado University encourages qualified candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.
An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.
Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:
Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or (970) 943-3140.
WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS
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