News, News, News

New Specializations in ESGP

The proposal to establish new specializations in Water Issues and in Climate Change Science and Policy within the interdisciplinary Environmental Science Graduate Program was approved by the Council on Academic Affairs at its meeting on May 7, 2014.

Students interested in learning more about these specializations should check email enviro@osu.edu.

Mourning the Loss of Carolyn Merry

ESGP is saddened to learn about the passing of Carolyn Merry on June 3.  She was former professor and chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at Ohio State University.  She was a strong advocate for interdisciplinary research and member and supporter of the Environmental Science Graduate Program.  Carolyn was a leader in remote sensing and geographic information systems and one of the pioneers of the OSU Center for Mapping.  Funeral-home calling hours will be 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Rd. in Upper Arlington.  For more information please see the OSU Engineering news website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Carolyn J. Merry Engineering Scholarship Fund, Fund Number 664695 at the Ohio State University.  To send a check by mail, please make check payable to The Ohio State University Foundation. Checks may be mailed to the following address: The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221. Please visit the ESGP giving information page to find out more about online donation.

Jobs and Internships

TNC Position - Big Darby Headwaters Restoration Assistant

JOB TITLE: Big Darby Headwaters Restoration Assistant

JOB FAMILY: Conservation

JOB NUMBER: 450002

SALARY GRADE: 2

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DURATION: July – December 2014 (full-time, short term)

LOCATION: The Nature Conservancy in Ohio’s State Office

6375 Riverside Drive, Suite 100

Dublin, Ohio 43017

Position Summary

The Big Darby Headwaters Restoration Assistant performs land restoration and management activities at the Big Darby Headwaters Preserve in East Liberty, Ohio.  This may include trail maintenance, tree planting maintenance, tree removal, mowing, litter clean-ups, fence removal and weed control using herbicide.  He/she will be responsible for preparation and maintenance of equipment used in these management activities.  This is a full time, short term position (approximately 6 months from starting date) that involves extensive outdoor physical labor in diverse weather conditions and may require working some weekends.  The Big Darby Headwaters Restoration Assistant is supervised by the Big Darby Headwaters preserve manager, does not supervise other staff, but may supervise volunteers.

Apply today!

Assistant/Associate Professor – Sustainability/Power/Energy RA # 1375

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) School of Engineering and Computing Sciences

Assistant/Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering (one position):

NYIT seeks an Associate/Full Professor in Mechanical Engineering (one position - full-time, tenure track; Old Westbury campus). Research areas of interest include Water Engineering, Energy, Power/Smart Grid.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or related area, excellent communication skills, and a solid publication record. Commitment to teaching and research at the undergraduate and graduate levels is required. Candidates must demonstrate an innovative research record and/or industrial experience and exceptional leadership and mentoring skills, and evidence of sponsored research, contracts and external grants. 

For consideration, e-mail your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and research and teaching statements to jobs.soecs@nyit.edu. Successful candidates will share our vision to grow the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences into a leader in applied research and a premier source of student talent in the New York Metropolitan Area and globally. Please reference job code RA # 1375 in your subject line.

Assistant Professor – Sustainable Horticultural Energy Management at North Carolina State University

Appointment

65% Research, 35% Academic, 12 month
Department of Horticultural Science

Location

The North Carolina State University
Department of Horticultural Science
Raleigh, North Carolina

Position Available

September 1, 2014

Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in Horticulture, Crop Science,Agronomy, Plant Biology or relatedfield or in Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural Economics.

The successful candidate must have demonstratedresearch productivity through publications in relevantrefereed journals, and an existing record of, or strong potential for, successful grant procurement. It is essential that the incumbent conduct team-oriented research, exhibit leadership abilities, and demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Prior experience working with horticulture stakeholders and sustainable crop production is a benefit. Postdoctoral experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

The candidate will be expected to 1) develop a national research program on horticultural energy conservation and management, focusing, but not limited to, energy conservation strategies in sustainable production systems, developing farm, nursery and protected culture energy budgets; conducting full cost accounting and cost benefit analyses of horticultural biofuel utilization strategies, protected culture heating/cooling, and other energy related issues; and facilitating development of alternative energy strategies for horticultural operations, 2) teach two or more courses per year (undergraduate or graduate) and one other one-credit graduate course via distance education, course topics could include sustainable energy management, sustainable and/or organic crop production, or a related topic depending on the successful candidate's area of interest and department and college course needs, 3) establish collaborative partnerships with faculty based at NCSU and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, as well as with other universities, USDA, and the private sector; 4) provide input to NC horticulture industries on farm energy management and participate in annual field days and commodity meetings; 5) establish a rigorous, nationally recognized, extramurally funded research program; 6) publish research results in relevant peer reviewed publications; and 7) demonstrated experience chairing and serving on graduate student committees.

Application

Applicants should apply online (reference position number 00104010). Attach a cover letter and CV to the online applicant profile, and include the names and contact information for at least three references. For more information, contact either Dr. Brian Whipker, Professor and Search Committee Chair, 919-515-5374, brian_whipker@ncsu.edu, or Dr. John Dole, Professor and Head, 919-515-3131, john_dole@ncsu.edu, Department of Horticultural Science, Box 7609, NC State University, Raleigh, NC  27695-7609.  Review of applications will begin August 15, 2014, or until an acceptable candidate is identified. 

Application Deadline:  August 15, 2014,or until an acceptable candidate is identified.

Audubon Hiring - Earth Adventures Educator in Dayton

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action.  By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive.  And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level.  What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 22 state offices, 44 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 46 states, and 700 staff across the country.  Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary

The Educator, Earth Adventures will develop and deliver dynamic, high quality environmental and agriculture interpretation and education, outdoor recreation, conservation science and advocacy programs.

Dates of Employment

Educator's will teach 1- 8 weeks during the summer and typically work 15 hours per week, Monday – Friday, mornings and early afternoons. Summer Earth Adventure classes are held June 9 – August 8, 2014.

Essential Functions

• Implement and lead summer day camp environmental education and agriculture Summer Earth Adventures programs, for children.
• Work with the Summer Earth Adventures Coordinator on program logistics and preparation, development of props and materials and classroom maintenance.
• Develop, plan and organize lesson plans and deliver age/grade appropriate interdisciplinary nature science, agriculture and conservation education programs for children.
• Attend education and agricultural training’s related to environmental and agriculture education classes for children.

Qualifications and Experience

Completion of freshman year of college in a degree program in natural sciences, biology, environmental education, natural history, elementary or agriculture education or related field.Must be comfortable teaching and working with children.Proven ability to design and write environmental education and agriculture curricula, lesson plans and activities.Proven skills teaching in a formal or informal setting to a variety of audiences.Must be self-motivated, able to follow directions and work well with others.Willingness to work with all types of animals (large and small).Excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills, and computer literacy.

The desire to educate diverse audiences, with an emphasis on young people, about the natural world, agriculture and conservation.Possess a high degree of responsibility, good communication skills, creativity, flexibility and problem solving skills.Ability to operate equipment related to duties (i.e. microscopes, dip nets, binoculars, etc.).

Must have reliable transportation to Aullwood.Must reside in the Dayton, OH area (housing is not provided).

Apply today!

Seminars and Courses

Grant Writing Skills: The Essential First Steps When Writing a Successful Proposal

Dr. Craig Burd

Department of Molecular Genetics

The Ohio State University

June 24, 2014, 2-4p.m.

This is a part seminar /part workshop event.Dr. Christin Burd will join as co-instructor in the workshoppart of the event.All (Women and Men) Students, postdocs,scientists, staff and faculty in STEMMdisciplines are invited for the seminar.

Workshops and Conferences

First Annual Ohio Hunger Dialogue

September 26-27, 2014

Featuring Keynote Speaker Ambassador Tony Hall

Three-Time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

Schedule of Events

• Farm to School Conference (Friday 9am - 3pm)
• Documentary "A Place at the Table" (Friday 8pm)
• Breakout Sessions (Saturday 8am - 5pm)
• Presentation of the Tony P. Hall Student Advocacy Award
• World Café Planning for Action

Students can win $1,000 for your school by entering the Tony P. Hall Student Advocacy Award Video contest!

Conference Registration Rates

• Friday Only (Farm to School Conference) - $25
• Saturday (Hunger Dialogue) - $75 general public, $60 for OCC members
• BONUS - register for the Hunger Dialogue & you can attend Friday's Farm to School event for FREE!
• GROUP DISCOUNT 5 or more (OCC Members) - $55/person (bring your community partners, students and other faculty and staff! All are welcome!)

Notes

1. You do not need to provide all the names of attendees at the time of registration
2. Accommodations: There will be no on-campus housing available for the conference, but there are Walsh discounts available at several local hotels. Contact Christy Walkuski at cwalkuski@walsh.edu for more information.

Writing Groups for International &ESL students

The ESL Programs and OSU Writing Center are co-sponsoring Writing Groups (WG), for both undergraduate and graduate students. Groups meet in different times and start in the week of the Monday, June 16th (the last day is August 1st). Each group will be facilitated by Writing Consultants from the Writing Center. Groups will meet weekly so that participants can engage in one or more of the following activities:

• engage in pre-writing activities: brainstorming, outlining, reverse outlining, mind mapping, and more
• share their writing and receive feedback from other group members on a regular basis
• discuss assignments from 1901 and/or 1902 and/or other (undergraduate or graduate level) classes as well as personal writing projects: applications, personal statements, resumes, creative writing, etc.
• learn how to respond (verbally or in writing) to the work of others
• identify the real audience for your writing and make sure your writing meets the audience's expectations
• share concerns and understandings of assignments in future writing classes: English 1110, 2367, capstone or research writing in the majors
• take on specific writing issues like plagiarism, intellectual property, citations, grammar issues, the expectations of academic writing, etc.

Why?

Learning groups are common across campus. They facilitate learning and the development of all kinds of skills. Writing is no different. The CSTW sponsors writing groups for first-year students and for graduate students writing theses and dissertations. At all levels, writers can help each other.

Our goals

• Use the skills you and your groupmates have developed in previous writing classes in order to make use of them in your current writing projects
• Help you learn how to participate and organize writing groups so that you can create new learning groups later on in your OSU careers.
• Develop a better understanding the global nature of writing here at OSU and in most professions.

Sign up for a writing group today. You can contact Dr. Ivan Stefano (stefano.4@osu.edu) at the ESL Programs or Cynthia Lin (lin.1013@osu.edu) at the Writing Center if you have questions.

Miscellaneous

Two Unique Project Learning Tree (PLT) learning opportunities

1. June 10 & 11 (Vinton Furnace State Forest) Forest Health: Insects and Diseases “What’s Bugg-in Ohio Trees?” Teacher Forestry Field Days (2 attachments) Optional Ohio Univ. grad. credit available or Professional Development Contact hours
2. June 16 (Columbus - west of OSU main campus) “Be a PLT Science Standards Sleuth” Ohio Resource Center (See email with flyer) Optional Ashland Univ. grad credit available or Professional Development Contact hours

See Project Learning Tree for more information.

National Study on Environmental and Sustainability Education and Research

The National Council for Science and the Environment has published online a study of environmental and sustainability centers.  It is useful for examining trends although the data needs to be more complete.