Assistant Professor of Agronomy/Horticulture

Assistant Professor of Agronomy/Horticulture

Job no: 521149
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Monterey Bay
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Agriculture

Classification: Academic Year Faculty
Priority Screening Date: January 10, 2023
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
Appointment Date: Fall 2023

Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a mid-sized comprehensive baccalaureate and masters granting university whose staff and faculty help transform student lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning in its regional community, and the promotion of multicultural and global perspectives on and beyond campus. With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,400 students. CSUMB is both a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

The university's Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in the development of a diverse body of faculty, staff, and administrators. CSUMB's sustainability initiative is to be carbon neutral by 2030. The university's faculty and staff, many of whom live in the East Campus housing development, appreciate living and working so close to the shores of the beautiful Monterey Bay. As one of the 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate campus housing and competitive salaries for faculty and staff.

The Department of Biology and Chemistry at California State University, Monterey Bay invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor rank to begin in fall 2023. We are seeking candidates with expertise in crop production and management to provide leadership in building our bachelor's degree program in Agricultural Plant and Soil Science and to establish an applied research program aligned with the needs of the region's unique agricultural industry. Launched in 2020, our Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program has experienced robust growth and provides our students with hands-on learning opportunities to prepare them to be valuable contributors and leaders in our regional agricultural industry. The ideal candidate will collaborate with local industry, agencies and organizations to integrate problem solving, communication, applied science and technology, and hands-on learning throughout the curriculum.

Known as the “Salad Bowl of the World”, the Salinas Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, and with proximity to Silicon Valley in the north, has become a hub for the AgTech industry. Ideal candidates will recognize the unique nature of our local agricultural industry and the extraordinary opportunity it affords. As a member campus of the CSU Agricultural Research Institute, our campus receives annual funding to support applied agricultural research. Additionally, there is the potential for additional support from a generous industry partner for research activities that support the agricultural community.

CSUMB values an educational environment of cultural and linguistic diversity and gender equity; ethical reflection and practice; effective and experimental use of technologies as resources for people and catalysts for learning; and the integration of cross-disciplinary models enabling students, faculty and staff to engage in innovative instruction and coordinated service learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to ongoing growth and development of a B.S. program in Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences
• Teach upper-division and lower-division courses related to crop production and agricultural management
• Maintain an active, extramurally funded research program relevant to regional agriculture

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. from an accredited university in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil and Crop Water Management, or closely related field by time of appointment
• Broad knowledge and prior experience in ag-related industry, extension, or applied agronomy/horticulture research experience in areas such to vegetable and/or small fruit crop production
• Ability to secure extramural funding to establish an independent program and support active research projects in the area of expertise relevant to regional agricultural needs, including but not exclusively, vegetable and/or small fruit production systems, alternative production practices, and irrigation systems
• Commitment to undergraduate education and mentoring
• Experience working effectively in an ethnically and culturally diverse community
• Ability to provide leadership as well as to work collaboratively as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team
• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to communicate in Spanish
• Experience teaching and/or mentoring, in academic, extension, or industry setting
• Ability to facilitate innovations and collaborations relevant to regional agricultural needs

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The incumbent is required to maintain confidentiality as outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

COMPENSATION:

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $79,000 - $81,000

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: CSU Benefits Summary. Additionally, University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay provides access to affordable campus housing based on availability, visit: Schoonover Employee Housing.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application and submit required documents by the priority screening date found at csumb.edu/jobs. Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

Required Documentation:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• 1 page Teaching Statement (see link of courses in the major: AGPS Catalogue)
• 1 page Research Statement, including research mentoring with Undergraduates
• 1 page Diversity Statement
• Completed online application

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting University Personnel at (831) 582-3389.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State University, Monterey Bay Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://csumb.edu/clery

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy, all students and employees are required to submit their vaccination status to the Otter Vaccination Registry and are encouraged to be vaccinated.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.



To apply, visit https://careers.csumb.edu/en-us/job/521149/assistant-professor-of-agronomyhorticulture



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