Assistant Professor Landscape Architecture - Beginning Design

Job Description:

Assistant Professor Landscape Architecture - Beginning Design

Description

Assistant Professor in Landscape Architecture

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department seeks a colleague with enthusiasm for beginning design education to teach first and second year design studios and introductory support courses in materials and implementation techniques. The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to, or potential for, teaching excellence in design fundamentals, site design, and critical and creative design approaches, including integrating analog and digital techniques into the studio environment. Applicants shall demonstrate the ability to develop a viable research program that complements their teaching. Commitment to department, college, and university service activities is required. Learn-by-doing and project-based learning is the preferred teaching model.

Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. (Anticipated hiring range: $90,000 - $100,800 per year).

The anticipated start date is August 17, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A master’s in landscape architecture or a related and complementary field. Where the master’s degree is in a related or complementary field, the candidate shall have an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture and shall have evidence of experience in landscape architecture practice. Evidence of potential for excellence in university-level teaching. Evidence of experience with design fundamentals and construction methods through professional projects or teaching. Familiarity with hand-drawing and current and emerging digital representation media. Potential for the development of a successful research and scholarship program that complements their teaching. Cal Poly uses Boyer’s model of scholarship (discovery, integration, application, and teaching), encouraging a wide range of scholarship directions. Demonstrable commitment to universal student success.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Professional practice with an emphasis on site-scale design, design development, material exploration, and sustainable practices. Landscape architecture license or demonstrated progress in the licensure process. Teaching experience in studios, including beginning and site design studios, and design implementation courses.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS

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 Department of Landscape Architecture provides the highest quality professional educational experience for its students. We recognize that the profession of Landscape Architecture is changing and calling on professionals to play a more active leadership role in designing and managing numerous aspects of our environment. Our five-year first professional Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) and recognized by the Landscape Architects Technical Committee of the California Board of Architectural Examiners. With a learning-centered educational approach, Cal Poly students will develop the professional skills and knowledge needed to make valuable contributions to a changing global society. Through the faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching and the core values of the profession, students will develop an appreciation for life-long learning and an interdisciplinary approach to landscape architectural design.

For further information about the department, college, and university, please visit: www.caed.calpoly.edu and https://landscape.calpoly.edu.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation. It has approximately 21,000 undergraduate, 800 post-baccalaureate/graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master's universities in the western United States for 26 consecutive years. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically focused students 65 baccalaureate degrees and 39 master's degrees. Operating on the quarter calendar system, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn by Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Situated on 1,321 acres, 155 of which make up the campus core, Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs.

Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,500, just twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes, extraordinary temperate climate, and an abundance of outdoor activities.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must complete the online application and upload all of the following materials:
A cover letter Curriculum vitae Names and contact information of at least three references Unofficial transcripts at the time of application (official transcripts are required for appointment) Statement of teaching philosophy including approaches to teaching introductory design studios and support courses Statement of research and scholarship philosophy 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 any 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. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement. List of any courses previously taught Course evaluation results (if applicable) A portfolio with examples of teaching and/or professional practice projects. Include examples of teaching effectiveness (with student work outcomes and course syllabi), if applicable (15 pages and 30 mb file size limit) Example(s) of scholarship work, if applicable. (30mb file size limit)
Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

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.

Advertised: Oct 29 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: