Head of Department

Cal Poly SLO Plant Sciences Alumni & Student Network; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo invites applications for a full-time 12-month Department Head of Plant Sciences. This tenured leadership role oversees instruction, research, and outreach to alumni and industry, guiding a team of seven tenure-line faculty, about seven lecturers, and seven staff who serve roughly 250 undergraduates and 20 graduate students.

The Department Head will help shape curriculum, coordinate budget and facilities, and drive strategic

Responsibilities

• Hire and develop faculty and staff; assign workloads.
• Advance fundraising and alumni engagement.
• Manage department budget, facilities, and resources.
• Shape curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning.
• Promote equal opportunity and inclusive academic environment.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Fundraising

Budget management

Strategic planning

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.