Director and Clinical Faculty, Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism

Date Posted	November 10, 2026
Industry	Academia
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Not Specified
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

Director and Clinical Faculty, Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism

University of Montana: Provost: Missoula: College of the Arts and Media

Location: Missoula, MT, United States

Open Date: Nov 05, 2026

Deadline:

Description

The School of Journalism at the University of Montana seeks a director for its master's program in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism. The two-year interdisciplinary degree combines journalism and science coursework to prepare students to report on environmental and natural resource issues across print, photo, video and multimedia platforms.

The director will provide strategic leadership and implement a vision for how the program will continue to prepare journalists to define coverage on a beat that impacts all facets of society and our world. They will lead recruitment and admissions, advise students through the curriculum, oversee the program's signature field projects, including the Crown Reporting Project and the Story Lab course, and represent the program to university leadership, donors and the professional journalism community. This is a full-time, benefited clinical faculty position that combines teaching, student mentorship and program administration.

Position Details

Title: Director/Clinical Faculty

Salary: $60,000-$70,000 commensurate with experience
Schedule: Full-time, academic year position beginning August 2027
Benefits: Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution/Professional Development/Partial Tuition Waiver/Wellness

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in journalism or a related field, the terminal degree for this position. In rare cases, substantial national-level professional journalism experience may be considered in lieu of the terminal degree.
• Significant professional experience in journalism, with demonstrated strength in environmental or natural resource reporting.
• Experience teaching or mentoring early-career journalists in a classroom, newsroom, or field setting.
• Demonstrated record of producing or editing published or broadcast journalism covering environmental or natural resource topics.
• Strong organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with student advising, program administration, team leadership or related management responsibilities.
• Ability to lead and advance a small graduate program while supporting student success and program growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior successful experience directing, coordinating or managing an academic program, newsroom or similar initiative.
• Established professional network in environmental journalism, science communication or natural resource reporting.
• Experience securing grants, fellowships, donor support or other external funding for journalism or academic programs.
• Experience teaching multimedia storytelling, including audio, video, photography, data journalism or emerging digital storytelling approaches.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and/or reporting on tribal natural resource, environmental or sovereignty issues.
• Familiarity with the issues and communities of the American West, including Montana's tribal nations, is desirable.
• Commitment to fostering partnerships that support student learning, professional development and community engagement.

Application Instructions

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of December 6, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

• Letter of interest - addressing the stated required and preferred skills for the position.
• Detailed curriculum vitae or resume - listing education and describing work experience.
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information.
• A statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy
• Examples of published or broadcast journalism

Questions about the position may be directed to the Joe Eaton, the search committee chair, at joe.eaton@umontana.edu.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of "mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/197041

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM's non-discrimination policy and any applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Background check is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to background investigations per UM's policy and procedure.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.

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