Professor and Department Head, Ecosystem Science and Management

Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Full-time Education

Posted on April 7, 2024

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Professor and Department Head, Ecosystem Science and Management

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION Professor and Department Head, Ecosystem Science and Management

STARTING DATE Negotiable

RESPONSIBILITIES

The College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Department Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM). 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. Our mission is achieved through nationally and internationally recognized research, teaching, and outreach activities in key ecosystem science disciplines involving forest health, restoring ecosystem function and service, scaling up ecosystem management, and watershed resilience, with an emphasis on applications in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water, soils, and agriculture. ESM is home to three graduate programs, two undergraduate majors, and three minors, and it participates in four inter-college graduate degree programs and four inter-college dual-title degree programs. ESM is the academic home of a collaborative team of 34 interdisciplinary faculty and 30 staff. Penn State has 20 campuses, 17,500 faculty and staff and 88,000 students and is ranked among the top public universities.

The Head is the Department's academic leader and administrative officer and provides intellectual and organizational leadership for ESM. The Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Responsibilities include:

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 that would qualify for the rank of professor with tenure is required.

Desirable attributes include:

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.

SALARY Competitive, commensurate with background and experience. An attractive benefits packages is provided.

APPLICATION Apply online at https://hr.psu.edu/careers to REQ_0000052218. Applications should include:

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 Provide a “Reflection on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” document as part the application. 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 April 30, 2024, and continue until a suitable applicant is identified. Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. K. Sandeep Prabhu (ksp4@psu.edu). To learn more about the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, visit: https://ecosystems.psu.edu/

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/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Professor-and-Department-Head--Ecosystem-Science-and-Management_REQ_0000052218

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/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

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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