Position Description:  

Davis College is seeking an innovative, dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management who will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for teaching, research, outreach and engagement, and service endeavors in the Department of Natural Resources Management, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The position of Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management is a full-time, 12-month, tenured, Professor to begin August 1st, 2024. 

Major/Essential Functions: 

The successful applicant for this leadership position will be one who has a strong background in Natural Resources Management, and who has a significant track record of excellence when working with external partners. The Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management will be a driven and collaborative individual who supports research and teaching as critical components of higher education and who will help build future successes on the Department’s foundation of past excellence. In addition, the successful applicant will be someone who exemplifies the Davis College core values: valuing people, commitment to excellence, fostering discovery, and elevating others. We are looking for a strong leader who will help us meet our commitment to discovery, training, instruction, and engagement and outreach in key areas of natural resources. The successful department chair will be one who puts the success of the team and department above their individual accomplishments in the role. They must be one who appreciates interdisciplinary, experiential, and systems-based learning. The successful candidate will be committed to excellence throughout the discovery-to-application continuum. 

The Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management will be appointed to a five-year renewable term, subject to annual reviews by the Dean and a satisfactory formal reappointment review. 

Essential Functions 

• Engage in leadership to implement the University’s academic and research goals, including campus-wide leadership in strategic areas to enhance the regional and national research presence of the department, College, and the University. 
• Interact with College leadership in strategic planning to foster the academic, research, and service growth of the department and College. 
• Foster development of interdisciplinary academic and research programs in the College. 
• Lead efforts to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and to create an environment that fosters diversity, collegiality, and teamwork. 
• Facilitate professional and academic growth and development of faculty, staff, and students. 
• Provide leadership to the departmental faculty in planning, developing, integrating, and implementing excellence in teaching, research, and outreach programs. 
• Manage the department's human, financial, and physical resources. 
• Assign responsibilities to faculty and staff and evaluate their performance. 
• Facilitate the pursuit of external grant and contract funding in the context of the departmental strategic goals. 
• Actively seek support and resources for departmental programs/facilities and work with College development personnel on gift and endowment opportunities such as scholarships, graduate fellowships, and endowed chairs and professorships. 
• Engage with professional societies, regional and national organizations, and committees associated with the interests of the department. 
• Represent departmental interests within the University and to outside agencies, stakeholders, and relevant industries. 
• Provide leadership in maintaining and expanding relationships with alumni, individuals, and various groups involved in plant and soil science. 
• Service duties include program-building, as well as commitment to extra-curricular activities. Service to the department, college, and university is expected. 

Required Qualifications: 

To be considered for the position, candidates must have: 

• A terminal degree in Natural Resources Management or closely related field. 

• A strong record of academic accomplishments that will allow a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of professor in a Natural Resources Management Field. 
• An outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, outstanding extramural funding, and university and professional service. 
• Experience in leading complex, multi- or trans-disciplinary teams in high-impact and successful research. 
• Exceptional communication (both oral and written) skills. 
• Exemplary and visionary leadership skills, as evidenced by prior experience. 
• A demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving all people. 
• Previous experience or other evidence of administrative ability to direct the activities of a large academic department, and an ability to provide a clear vision and to plan strategically to achieve departmental goals and objectives. 
• Effective communication, personnel management skills, and demonstrated ability in fiscal management are essential. The successful applicant should have a track record of making timely decisions and responding promptly to administrative deadlines. Highly refined verbal and written communication skills and a commitment to sharing departmental accomplishments and its vision for the future with prospective students, alumni, and stake- holders are indispensable. 
• Demonstrated ability to create a shared vision and align resources to achieve strategic outcomes. 
• Exceptional skills in communication and interpersonal relations. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference will be given to candidates who have: 

• Prior experience with documented success in higher-education, industry, or government leadership. 
• Documented ability to collaborate with partners, constituencies, and other interested parties, whether internal or external to the Department and University. 
• A strong record of data-based decision making. 
• Experience and successes in encouraging, supporting, and developing entrepreneurial and/or start-up activities. 
• Experience in working with commodity groups, industry partners, and communities relevant to the academic fields within the Department. 
• Documented experience in developing international programming. 
• A record of excellence in foundational and/or translational research evidenced by a portfolio of publications, extramural funding, and collaboration. 

• A record of excellence in teaching and educating students. 
• Experience and successes in encouraging, supporting, and mentoring junior faculty.  
• An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies. 
• Sensitivity to the perspectives and values of students, staff, faculty, and stakeholders.