Department Head, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

New River Community College; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded public university is seeking a Department Head for Ecosystem Science and Management. The ideal candidate will have a doctorate, management experience, and a strong commitment to diversity. The position involves leading educational and research initiatives while fostering a supportive environment for faculty and students. Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership skills and a record of administrative success.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate and a record of scholarly activity.
• Demonstrated effective leadership in a multi-disciplinary department.
• Proven ability in managing departmental priorities.

Responsibilities

• Create a supportive environment for faculty and students.
• Lead educational and outreach initiatives.
• Manage departmental finances and resources.

Skills

Management experience

Strong leadership skills

Budget management

Commitment to diversity

Effective communication

Education

Earned doctorate

Job description

Overview

Department Head, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

The College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM). Penn State is a public university with a broad statewide presence and a strong land‑grant mission. The College leads the university's teaching, research, and extension activities with more than 1,200 full‑time employees, including 300 faculty, and serves over 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students. The College emphasizes inclusivity and a supportive learning and working environment.

The Department’s land‑grant mission is to ensure a vibrant future for humanity by preserving ecosystems, promoting inclusivity, fostering scientific breakthroughs, educating students for impactful careers, inspiring future leaders, and collaborating on innovative solutions to major environmental challenges. ESM focuses on forest health, restoring ecosystem function and service, scaling up ecosystem management, and watershed resilience with applications across forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water, soils, and agriculture. ESM offers three graduate programs, two undergraduate majors, and three minors, participates in four inter‑college graduate degree programs and four inter‑college dual‑title degree programs, and comprises a collaborative team of 34 interdisciplinary faculty and 30 staff. The Head is the Department’s academic leader and administrative officer, providing intellectual and organizational leadership for ESM, based at the main campus (University Park) and reporting to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain an environment that facilitates 1) a strong sense of community; 2) an effective shared vision; 3) a highly productive, innovative, and entrepreneurial faculty and staff; 4) collaborative opportunities, and 5) a mutually supportive, encouraging, diverse, and intellectually stimulating environment for students, staff, and faculty.
• Lead faculty and staff in implementing and enhancing the Department’s undergraduate and graduate education programs, Cooperative Extension, and outreach initiatives to ensure programs are responsive to the evolving interests and needs of students and society.
• Guide and enhance the Department’s research environment to assure that programs meet the needs of stakeholders and sponsors.
• Proactively engage Extension, and enhance the Department’s state, national, and international reputation.
• Administer and manage the Department’s academic affairs, personnel, finances, and physical facilities.
• Represent, promote, and advocate for the Department within the College and University, and with interdisciplinary groups, alumni, and other private and public stakeholders within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.
• Support development programs to attract external support for educational programs, research initiatives, centers and institutes, and Extension engagement strategies.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate and a record of scholarly activity with a proven record of peer‑reviewed publications, extramural funding, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, and that would qualify for the rank of professor with tenure.
• Demonstrated effective management and administrative leadership of a multi‑disciplinary, multi‑function department.
• Significant understanding and appreciation of the evolving mission of the land‑grant university system, and of expectations, opportunities, and constraints facing faculty and departments in public research and education institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budget priorities and balance a diverse array of needs within the Department.
• Demonstrated ability in and commitment to effective leadership that stresses participatory decision‑making.
• Strong personnel management experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Proven ability and commitment to mentoring faculty, staff, and departmental personnel at all career stages and providing support for professional development.

Applications

• A letter of application that states an applicant's specific interest in the position, qualifications, previous professional and administrative responsibilities, and achievements.
• Statement of leadership philosophy.
• Statement describing leadership in, and approaches to, enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Curriculum vitae (C.V.) which includes statement of current position and responsibilities.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.
• Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is identified. The salary will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the applicant. Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. K. Sandeep Prabhu, Chair of the search committee ([e-mail]). To learn more about the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, visit: ecosystems.psu.edu

Campus Security and Equal Opportunity

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here: http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

To apply, visit ecosystems.psu.edu or the Penn State job portal at psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Department-Head--Department-of-Ecosystem-Science-and-Management_REQ_0000061163?q=REQ_0000061163

Apply online at psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Department-Head--Department-of-Ecosystem-Science-and-Management_REQ_0000061163?q=REQ_0000061163

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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