The Beavers Charitable Trust (BCT) Assistant, Associate or Full Professor of Practice in Heavy Construction
Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management (CCIM)
South Dakota State University

The Construction Management (CM) program in the Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management (CCIM) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, benefit-eligible Beavers Charitable Trust (BST) Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Practice in Heavy Construction, beginning August 2025.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of heavy construction education, collaborate with industry professionals, and mentor the next generation of construction leaders. The faculty member will play a key role in developing the curriculum, enhancing industry partnerships, and preparing students for careers in heavy construction.

This position is supported by The Beavers Charitable Trust, a foundation dedicated to advancing education in heavy construction. The selected candidate will contribute to workforce development, drive innovation in construction education, and engage with industry leaders to align academic instruction with real-world needs.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Sponsorship is not available for this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach undergraduate courses on surveying, heavy/highway construction, infrastructure management, project scheduling, and cost estimating.
• Develop new courses and update curriculum to reflect industry advancements and emerging technologies in heavy construction.
• Engage with industry leaders, contractors, and government agencies to create student opportunities, including internships and co-op programs.
• Mentor undergraduate students and support student competitions and recruiting efforts, as requested by The Beavers Charitable Trust.
• Contribute to student recruitment, outreach, and retention efforts to strengthen program enrollment and industry engagement.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university committees, supporting SDSU’s mission and the CM program’s strategic goals.

SALARY:

The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, starting at $70,000 for Assistant Professor of Practice. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays.  Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines. 

BENEFITS:

The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience in construction using U.S. standards.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of contemporary project delivery methods.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, with a willingness to travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with heavy construction projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, rail, and other infrastructure.
• Experience teaching heavy construction courses at the college level.
• Active membership in professional organizations such as AGC, ARTBA, ASCE, or The Beavers.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university, with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million in annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities, research, innovation, and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world.

The Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management is one of five departments in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, serving 1500 undergraduate and graduate students.  The 13-faculty-member CCIM Department serves 350 students in its undergraduate programs, which include Construction Management, Concrete Industry Management, and Electronics Engineering Technology. 

The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering has benefitted from substantial investment by its stakeholders in the past 15 years, resulting in new buildings, state-of-the-art teaching and research labs, and renovated classrooms.  The five academic units are Civil & Environmental Engineering, Construction & Concrete Industry Management, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Mechanical Engineering.  Engineering Extension, SD LTAP, the EDA University Center, and the Image Processing Lab provide outreach and services to the state and region.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League, and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

The position is open until filled, with full consideration given to applications received by March 17, 2025.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site.  To apply, visit https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. 

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco-free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Albena Yordanova at (605) 688-4916 or Albena.Yordanova@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu.  Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:  Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD  57007.  Phone: (605) 688-4128.