Department Head of Agriculture

Department Head of Agriculture

About Arkansas Tech
Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech is a state supported comprehensive institution, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. It is the third-largest in the state with an enrollment close to 12,000 students. The Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock and boasts a charming blend of historic and modern architecture, including beautiful grounds and greenery. Offering over 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 25 graduate degree programs across seven academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community. For more information about Arkansas Tech University and the surrounding community, please visit our website at www.atu.edu/hr to find our “Live Here” informational resources.

Position Summary
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences invites applications for Department Head of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture serves over 280 students majoring in Agriculture Business or Agricultural Education. The department maintains relationships with agricultural businesses and organizations in Arkansas and beyond. The department head is responsible for implementing university policies and procedures at the department level. The department head, who reports to the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, works in cooperation with the faculty to ensure quality in educational delivery and compliance with state and national accreditation standards. The department head also represents the department within the university and the community and works collegially with faculty, academic program directors, and other administrators. The department head must have the ability to manage and work with a diverse group of staff, faculty, and administrators and effectively oversee the outdoor learning laboratory and farm operations. This is a full-time, twelve-month position. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the department head include leadership and management of the department by providing guidance in the hiring process of faculty and staff; oversight of annual faculty and staff evaluations as well as the faculty promotion and tenure process; developing and approving course schedules including faculty assignments; developing, teaching, and assessing department courses; management of the department’s assessment process; engaging students in high-impact learning practices; effective advising and mentoring of students; development of a sustainable scholarship program, including seeking external funds to support the program; student recruitment; budgeting; supervision of department staff; curriculum development; and providing impactful departmental, college, university, and professional service to the university, community and state.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Understanding of academic department personnel and culture.
• Organization, diplomacy, team-building.
• Ability to envision new opportunities for the department.
• Commitment to solve problems, address conflicts in a constructive manner, and resolve complex personnel issues.

Minimum Requirements
• Earned doctorate and professional accomplishments appropriate for an academic discipline within the department.
• Experience in an academic leadership role such as program director/coordinator, or equivalent experience.
• Record of research, teaching, and service sufficient for faculty appointment in the department at the associate or professor rank or higher.
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications
• Evidence of strong partnership-building skills with stakeholders.
• Evidence of cooperative management style and good communication skills.
• Commitment to the development of innovative teaching and instructional technologies.
• Excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional activity and community service.
• Evidence of curriculum development, student recruitment, assessment, grant writing, fund-raising, and budgeting.
• Experience in academic farm management or production agriculture.
• Evidence of or potential for fostering an inclusive environment for diverse populations.

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands
• Department of Agriculture, Russellville campus
• Work duties will occur in office, classroom, and farm environments

What to Submit
Letter of application, curriculum vita, unofficial copies of transcripts, and contact information for five references.

To be considered for the position of Department Head of Agriculture all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on March 9, 2021 before 6:00 pm central time.

Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to apply now.

This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Arkansas Tech University is an AA/EOE employer committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.