Mid-Florida REC - Center Director and Professor

Classification Title:

Ctr Dir & Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

We are seeking an innovative unit leader with broad programmatic vision and enthusiasm for leadership. The Center Director is the administrative head of the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) and provides leadership and support for the center’s multi-disciplinary research, teaching, and Extension programs. MREC programs seek to improve the viability of regional agricultural economies, protect and enhance natural resources, support sound urban and rural landscape practices, and encourage positive interests at the urban-agricultural interface.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Center Director plays an active leadership role with the faculty to develop modern, and innovative research, teaching, and extension programs at the center addressing the present and future needs of the surrounding agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities. The Center Director reports administratively to the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and programmatically to the Deans for Academic Programs, Research, and Extension. The Center Director cooperates with UF/IFAS Deans, Department Chairs, other UF/IFAS Research and Education Center Directors, District Extension Directors, County Extension faculty, and other UF units in program development. This position strengthens and maintains strong ties and goodwill with diverse audiences, such as agricultural commodity and support organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, local and statewide governmental agencies, members of urban and rural clientele groups, and consumers.

The Center Director practices sound management of MREC resources, including transparent budgetary and personnel management, regularly communicates with local faculty, and develops short- and long-term goals involving programs, equipment, physical plant, and personnel. The Center Director is instrumental in obtaining financial support, including gifts and endowments for research, teaching, and Extension programs at MREC. The Center Director uses appropriate communication and management skills to promote teamwork among faculty and staff, delegates responsibility and makes timely decisions. The Center Director plays the lead role in recruiting and hiring faculty members. The Center Director is also responsible for evaluation of MREC faculty programs, and initiation of tenure and promotion actions in consultation with appropriate department chairs.

OTHER INFORMATION : MREC, located in Apopka, Florida, is 15 miles northwest of the Orlando metropolitan area and 30 miles from the Orlando International Airport. MREC is 95 miles from the main UF campus at Gainesville. This close proximity allows easy participation in UF/IFAS administrative meetings and other main campus activities. MREC is central to large concentrations of Florida’s diversified ornamental plant nurseries, landscape industries, and indoor and foliage plant production facilities. In addition, there are nearby fruit and vegetable production operations and many small, diversified farms. Center personnel include 12 faculty and more than 50 supporting staff, including part-time and grant-funded personnel and students. Currently, the interdisciplinary MREC faculty has members specializing in agricultural economics, entomology, landscape ornamentals and indoor foliage plants, landscape ecology, molecular biology, plant breeding, plant pathology, and edible and medicinal plant production. More information on the MREC, UF/IFAS, and the region can be found at http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/ .

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

An earned Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a field related to agriculture or natural resources with experience in conducting multi-disciplinary research, Extension and/or teaching programs with academic credentials equivalent to the full professor is required. The candidate should have demonstrated strong professional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and administrative skills. Candidates should also have experience in obtaining competitive extramural support for programs as well as support from commodity and industry groups. The candidate must demonstrate strong commitment to research, teaching, and extension.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous administrative experience is preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by January 2, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• A formal letter of application which includes a brief statement of the applicant’s leadership skills and vision, administrative philosophy, and ideas on the role of an off-campus UF/IFAS Research and Education Center.
• A current curriculum vitae which includes a biographical sketch, leadership roles, service, consultant roles, and a complete list of publications.
• Contact information for 3 individuals who are willing to provide a letter of recommendation.

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) .

Please refer to Position No. 00013382

John Arthington

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida, IFAS

Bldg 499, Shealy Drive

P.O. Box 110910

Gainesville, FL 32611

Telephone: 352-294-6940

Facsimile: 352-392-5595

Electronic Mail: jarth@ufl.edu

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Health Assessment Required:
No