Asst. Extension Director/Program Leader/Professor - Ag and Natural Resources

Purdue Extension is conducting a search to fill the position of Assistant Director and Program Leader for Agriculture and Natural Resources. This Assistant Director furthers the mission of Purdue Extension by fostering innovative, high impact Extension programs. Specifically, this person provides motivation, strategy, vision, and coordination for the development and delivery of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension programs that address the diverse agriculture and natural resources environments and client needs in Indiana and beyond. The position reports to the Senior Associate Dean/Director of Purdue Extension and is an essential member of the Extension Leadership Team.

 The Assistant Director is responsible for leading and developing a long-term strategy for ANR programming. Candidates are expected to support and inspire a collaborative environment among Purdue Extension personnel that fosters the open exchange of ideas and innovations in the structure and delivery of ANR Extension programs. The Assistant Director will coordinate and lead regular, monthly meetings with the ANR advisory team and assistant program leaders to support communication and collaboration.  They will provide leadership and support for new program development to meet the needs of ANR stakeholders through team development, securing external funding, and guiding measurement and evaluation processes. The Assistant Director will also support and provide stewardship for strategic collaborations across all mission areas (teaching, research, and Extension), other universities and with agriculture and natural resource organizations. The successful candidate will participate in the recruiting, hiring and orientation of new Extension professionals, conduct annual reviews of field staff, and facilitate professional development for Extension professionals to enhance ANR program outputs and outcomes. The Assistant Director will also identify financial, human, and in-kind resources to enhance ANR Extension programming and pursue regional and national opportunities to enhance multi-state Extension programming and new resources to support ANR efforts.

Qualifications

Candidates for this Assistant Director position must hold a Doctoral degree in a discipline of agriculture and natural resources with a record of scholarship to merit appointment as Full Professor with tenure in the applicant's home department. Candidates must have effective communication skills and should be nationally recognized for engagement and leadership in innovative Extension or engagement programming. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience building collaborative teams for program delivery. Candidates for the position should possess strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to facilitate, manage, motivate, and evaluate the successes of others.  Ideal candidates will have demonstrated the ability to lead and interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, faculty, and Extension educators. Successful candidates should be capable of recognizing opportunities, taking timely and responsive action, and leveraging the skills and resources of Purdue Extension to reduce barriers to success.

The College

Purdue Extension is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked seventh in the US in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 300 faculty, 2841 undergraduate students, and 740 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/plan/Pages/default.aspx

Salary and Benefits

The Assistant Director appointment in Extension is an academic year appointment. The successful candidate will be eligible for summer funding and an administrative supplement. 

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, the names and contact information of three references. In addition, candidates will need to submit a statement of interest (two pages or less) to highlight their vision for the Purdue Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, Purdue Extension is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address engagement in a separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. All materials must be combined into one pdf and submitted electronically via this site – https://careers.purdue.edu/job/West-Lafayette-Asst_-Extension-DirectorProgram-LeaderProfessor-Ag-and-Natural-Resources-IN-47906/728742800/?locale=en_US

Initial nominations and inquires will be kept confidential and references will be contacted only upon approval of the applicant. Review of applications will begin July 31, 2021 and will continue until a suitable applicant is selected. A background check is required for employment in this position. Inquiries for the position can be sent to:

Dr. Jason Henderson

Senior Associate Dean and Director of Extension
jhenderson@purdue.edu
(765) 494-8489 

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.