The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure‐track Assistant/Associate Professor with an emphasis in Agricultural Education, starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The primary responsibility of this appointment is to prepare future agricultural educators. This includes supervising teacher candidates during fieldwork and student teaching, and mentoring students in credential and graduate programs in agricultural education. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the next generation of agriculture teachers through direct instruction, supervision, advising, and support of senior projects and field-based learning experiences.
In addition to teacher preparation, the candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in agricultural communication, education, and leadership. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in areas such as digital and presentation skills, leadership development, current trends in California agriculture, and advanced graduate seminars in agricultural education. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development and contribute to the goals of the department. The role also involves advising students, supporting co-curricular activities, and engaging with student organizations, while collaborating with colleagues and industry partners to ensure that academic programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of California’s agricultural industry.
Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:
Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156
Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will hold an earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in agricultural education, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership, or a closely related field, with at least three years of demonstrated success as a secondary teacher of agricultural education. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching, have experience in leadership development, and have a strong record of effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required
The ability to work productively as a team member and to collaborate across disciplines is essential, as is the capacity to engage effectively with students, colleagues, industry, government agencies, and the public. A demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments is required. Consideration will be given to candidates with a record of teaching that would strengthen and expand current department initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with experience teaching in a university or community college setting will receive priority consideration.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.
Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Agricultural Education and Communication Department at Cal Poly has approximately160 undergraduate students in Agricultural Communication and 170 undergraduate students in Agricultural Science, 39 master’s degree candidates, and six full- time faculty who teach in the areas of agricultural teacher education, agricultural communications, and agricultural science.
HOW TO APPLY
Review begin date is December 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by December 1, 2025, for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) goals and plans for research 5) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (6) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.
Universal Student Success Statement* - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
Inquiries can be directed to aged@calpoly.edu.