VISITING FACULTY PROGRAM
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
invites applicants for a visiting professor position beginning in late June 2022 and continuing through
late May 2023. USAFA is an undergraduate institution that awards a Bachelor of Science degree to all its
graduates as part of its mission to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become officers of
character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. The student body
consists of approximately 4,000 men and women representing every state and several foreign
countries. In addition to a core curriculum of academic and professional courses, majors are offered in
31 academic disciplines. Located just north of Colorado Springs, CO, the surrounding community offers
incredible natural beauty, award winning schools, world-renowned outdoor recreation opportunities,
and unmatched community support.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the Department is looking for a visiting professor with experience in
one or more of the following: Construction Engineering and Management, Environmental and Water
Resources Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Engineering
Education. Strong candidates in any of these disciplines are highly encouraged to apply. The focus of the
position is on teaching, course development, and mentoring undergraduate research. A demonstrated
excellence in teaching undergraduate education and an established record of innovation, research, and
excellence in education are preferred. Professional registration, experience with industry, and
assessment efforts are highly desirable.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Tom Phelan, (+1 (719) 333-2516,
thomas.phelan@afacademy.af.edu) for additional information and application instructions.
Application packages are due by October 8, 2021.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The purpose of the Visiting Faculty Program is to supplement the Air Force Academy faculty by providing
visiting civilian educators from institutions of higher education. These civilian educators bring a vital
expertise to the Air Force and take back to their permanent positions a broadened awareness of the Air
Force Academy environment. In the process, these educators enhance their own professional
development. To be eligible for the Visiting Faculty Program, visiting professors must be a career
employee at their home institution before beginning their Academy assignment and must return to their
home institution following their Academy assignment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should possess a minimum of a master’s degree. Although a terminal degree is not required,
preference will be given to individuals possessing a terminal degree in their discipline. Applicants must
be U.S. citizens.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Complete responsibility is entrusted to visiting faculty members to fully use their capabilities in their
areas of expertise. Because department needs and visiting faculty members’ areas of expertise vary, the
particular duties will be determined by the Department Head and the visiting faculty member. Major
components of this program typically include:
• Assisting in the development of and conducting courses for cadets. Performing course-related
research work to determine needed subject coverage.
• Assisting in the development of and directing cadet independent study projects. Performing
independent study of the educational value of cadet research efforts.
• Reviewing content of departmental courses in the visiting faculty member’s area of specialty
and recommending revisions, if appropriate.
• Serving as a consultant to department faculty members and cadets engaged in facultysponsored research projects. Performing educational research and contributing to research on
current Air Force problems.
• Conducting original research on matters of mutual interest to both the visiting faculty member
and the Air Force leading to possible publications in professional journals.
• Serving as advisor to the Department Head and performing such functions as assisting in
curriculum development, participating in faculty committees, and other functions of educational
leadership in the visiting faculty member’s area of expertise.
• Developing and conducting seminars and colloquiums for faculty members. The visiting faculty
member is relied upon by other department faculty members for technical expertise in the
faculty member’s area of specialization.
• Reviewing Air Force Academy library holdings and recommending additions and deletions.
Performing related research work to aid in the determination of proper subject coverage in the
library for use by cadets and faculty.
CONTROLS OVER WORK
Visiting faculty members work under the immediate supervision of their respective Department Head
who provides general guidance on policy and who makes specific assignments. Work is reviewed in
terms of conformance with standards and objectives of the individual departments.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS
Visiting faculty members must possess intuitive good judgment, tact, and initiative so that cooperative
and harmonious working relationships exist with other members of the Academy staff and faculty.
Visiting faculty members will be among the select few civilian faculty or government personnel who
have been chosen because of their outstanding contributions to education and/or research in their
respective fields.