Plant Sciences Department Head — Lead Teaching, Research & Growth

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo seeks a full-time 12-month Department Head for the Plant Sciences Department (PLSC) in San Luis Obispo, California. This tenured leadership role oversees instruction, research, and alumni, donor and industry engagement, with a starting date around June 1, 2027.

The Department Head will lead 7 tenure-line faculty, lecturers, and staff; manage facilities, budget, curriculum, and strategic planning; and advance inclusive excellence in a

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required with distinguished record for tenure at Full Professor rank.
• Proven leadership and management of students, faculty, staff and community.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence across modalities.
• Ability to foster an inclusive, nondiscriminatory environment.
• Strong publications, grants, presentations and cross-disciplinary work.
• Experience in advancing plant sciences and industry partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and possibly graduate courses in Plant Sciences.
• Engage in scholarly activities: research, publishing, grants or contracts.
• Mentor students and participate in committees and service.
• Lead faculty and staff hiring, development, and workload planning.
• Oversee budget, facilities and departmental resources.
• Drive advancement, fundraising and industry engagement.
• Develop curriculum, assessment and strategic plans.
• Promote equal opportunity and inclusive excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Faculty mentorship

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Budget management

Interpersonal skills

Teaching excellence

Collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum development

Education

Ph.D. in crop science, plant science, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology or related field

Job description

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo seeks a full-time 12-month Department Head for the Plant Sciences Department (PLSC) in San Luis Obispo, California. This tenured leadership role oversees instruction, research, and alumni, donor and industry engagement, with a starting date around June 1, 2027.

The Department Head will lead 7 tenure-line faculty, lecturers, and staff; manage facilities, budget, curriculum, and strategic planning; and advance inclusive excellence in a