Department Head, Plant Sciences

Southern Weed Science Society; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo invites applications for a full-time 12-month Department Head position in Plant Sciences. This tenured role provides leadership across instruction, research, and engagement with alumni, donors, and industry.

The successful candidate will lead 7 tenure-line faculty, ~7 lecturers, and 7 staff, overseeing facilities and a broad Plant Sciences program including crops, horticulture, and related fields.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in crop science, plant science, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology or related field.
• Tenured appointment at Full Professor rank with distinguished record.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and workload management abilities.
• Commitment to inclusive, nondiscriminatory learning and working environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Plant Sciences through instruction, research, and engagement.
• Lead faculty and staff, budgeting, facilities, and program resources.
• Drive curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning.
• Advance teaching excellence across modalities and engage in scholarly activities.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Fundraising

Curriculum development

Teaching excellence

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Communications

Mentoring

Interdisciplinary work

Education

Ph.D. in crop science/plant science/related field

Tools

Instructional technology

Job description

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking a full-time 12-month Department Head for its Plant Sciences Department (PLSC).

This position has a starting date of approximately June 1, 2027 or sooner as agreed upon by the dean and finalist. The Department Head is a tenured faculty position and will provide leadership for all academic and administrative functions including instruction, research, and alumni, donor and industry engagement. The Department Head leads a talented team of 7 tenure-line faculty, approximately 7 full-time and part-time lecturers, and 7 office and technical staff , all of whom engage with approximately 250 undergraduate students and approximately 20 graduate students. The Department Head has oversight of and intersection with several specialized teaching and research facilities and ranches, orchards and fields, including a new Plant Sciences Complex , horticulture greenhouses, an arboretum, citrus and avocado groves, conventional and organic fields, and more.

This position will provide leadership for the Plant Sciences Department in the following areas:

• Faculty and staff hiring, development, mentoring, and workload assignments


• Advancement and fundraising


• Management of budget, facilities, and departmental resources


• Departmental curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning


• Equal-opportunity, accessibility, and nondiscrimination initiatives that foster a respectful and inclusive academic environment for all


• The Cal Poly community promotes a “teacher-scholar model,” which emphasizes scholarly activities and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and potentially graduate courses in the Plant Sciences program. They will be expected to engage in scholarly activities (i.e., research, publishing, presenting, and grant or contract writing). Additional duties will include mentoring students, and participating in University, College, and Departmental committees, service, and other activities.

Department Head appointments and 12-month assignments are made and continue at the pleasure of the College Dean. This is a tenured position within the Plant Sciences Department. Appointments with tenure shall be made only after an evaluation and recommendation by tenured faculty in the appropriate department. Tenure is given only in the instructional portion of the position, which includes teaching, research, and service. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. in crop science, plant science, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology or a closely related field


• Distinguished record of achievement in Plant Sciences related fields, and qualifications appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor within the department


• Demonstrated exceptional leadership and management of students, faculty, staff, and community, and strong interpersonal skills


• Demonstrated ability to cultivate a respectful, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory learning and working environment for all students, staff, and faculty


• Strong professional record of academic achievement, including publications, grants, presentations, and interdisciplinary projects across the industry


• Strong commitment to, and, demonstrated teaching excellence in a variety of modalities


• A broad-based knowledge of the plant sciences industry in areas such as crop science, horticultural science, entomology, and plant pathology


• Demonstrated experience in collaborative priority setting and decision-making, as well as faculty mentorship and professional development


• Demonstrated experience in carrying out CAFES’ mission through an appropriate combination of teaching, research, and advancement


• Demonstrated ability to manage resources and solve problems with creativity and innovation


• Ability to interact with Plant Sciences stakeholders in developing research and industry initiatives of local, regional, national and global importance


• Evidence of leading institutional advancement and fundraising


• Outstanding written and verbal English communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in successfully allocating, directing, and monitoring annual budgets


• Evidence of working collaboratively with partners including industry, local, state, or federal government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and advisory councils


• Experience in interdisciplinary research and coordinating a center, institute, or research lab


• Familiarity with instructional technology, the science of teaching and learning, and online pedagogy


• A track record of effectiveness in teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and overseeing comprehensive curriculum development


• International experience or the desire to cultivate international partnerships


• Experience working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring, or the community

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.

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. It is expected that tenure-line faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.

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.

Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track

Anticipated hiring range: $175,000 – $185,000 at Full Professor rank

Location

Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Campus 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407,

Closing Date

10/26/2026

Date Position Available

11/09/2026

Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,100 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands-on learning.Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment.Discover more at cafes.calpoly.edu