Director of the Agricultural & Environmental Services Laboratories

Position Summary

This is a Public Service Track Faculty position reporting to the Assistant Dean for Extension. The successful candidate will represent, direct, and provide leadership to AESL and work to expand the services provided by AESL to support UGA Extension and the CAES . The successful candidate will be expected to develop, administer, collaborate, and coordinate high-quality Extension, research, and outreach programs along with playing a proactive role in procuring extramural support for these programs. Other specific responsibilities include management of personnel, performance evaluations, coordinating promotion procedures, program planning and implementation, budget management, and management of physical laboratory facilities. The candidate will serve as a liaison to UGA administration, scientific experts, state and local government bodies, educational institutions, business and agricultural organizations. The candidate is expected to work closely with relevant stakeholders to develop and update standard recommendations of services offered by the AESL .

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications received by January 5th, 2023, are assured full consideration, however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three references.

Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair:
Dr. Casey Ritz
Search Committee Chair
Department of Poultry Science
306 Poultry Science Building
Athens, GA 30602-2772
critz@uga.edu

Posting Details

Posting Number

F1492P

Working Title

Director of the Agricultural & Environmental Services Laboratories

Department

CAES-Ag&Environmental Svcs Lab

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

The mission of the Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories ( AESL ) is to provide objective analytical services to agricultural producers, consumers, and agribusinesses. These services combined with unbiased interpretations and recommendations contribute to a competitive agriculture, a healthy environment and an improved quality of life. As a unit of the Cooperative Extension Service within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences the AESL achieves its mission primarily through the support of County Extension Agents and other faculty members who are engaged in research and outreach activities. Our work is accomplished using state-of-the-art methodology and technology employed by a skilled staff dedicated to excellence.

AESL has approximately 25 full-time staff spread across two laboratories, each with its own program coordinator and lab manager. Those laboratories are the Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory; and the Feed and Environmental Water Laboratory. AESL has developed a LIMS system for data processing and accounting, as well as many web-based tools to assist consumers with nutrient management decisions

UGA Cooperative Extension was founded in 1914 to bring research-based agricultural information to the people of Georgia. County agents and specialists throughout the state share information on issues like water quality, profitability in agribusiness, family wellness and life skills. County agents provide soil and water test kits and instruction, advice on safe pesticide use, publications, computer programs and lessons in consumer skills to improve Georgians’ quality of life. They are the local experts in food safety, proper eating habits, child safety and parenting. UGA Extension coordinates 4-H, Georgia’s largest youth program. Each year, almost 200,000 young Georgians participate in community projects, summer camps and conferences on today’s issues while having fun and learning to work together. The leadership skills and values they learn in 4-H last a lifetime. UGA Extension reaches more than 2.6 million Georgians through education programs each year. Millions more rely on UGA Extension’s publications, educational news articles and public television programming for advice and information.

College/Unit/Department website

https://aesl.ces.uga.edu/

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Underutilization

Advertised Salary

Salary is commensurate with experience and training

Anticipated Start Date

03/01/2023

Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)

Job Posting Date

11/28/2022

Job Closing Date

Open until filled

Yes

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title

Public Service Professional AC

FLSA

Faculty Rank

Open Rank

Contract Type

Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status

Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

A M.A. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Animal Science, or related agricultural fields.

Additional Requirements

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Non-tenure Track Public Service and Outreach (Public Service Assistant, Public Service Associate, or Senior Public Service Associate) faculty member. To be considered for the Public Service and Outreach Ranks (Public Service Assistant, Public Service Associate, or Senior Public Service Associate), candidates must meet the requirements listed in the Guidelines for Appointments and Promotion Public Service and Outreach Faculty Rank (beginning on pg. 3).

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

• A Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Animal Science, or related agricultural fields.
• Background in agricultural Extension through academia, government agencies, research organizations, or private sectors.
• Established record of providing administrative leadership and establishing supervisory relationships to develop and implement managerial effectiveness within a large organization.
• Familiarity with agricultural laboratory analysis and expertise managing laboratories, budgets, and personnel.
• Evidence of being a strong leader who aligns the vision and values of CAES & AESL, manages work groups by inspiring, advising, and effectively delegating to staff, and facilitates goals while tracking and evaluating the overall performance of AESL to ensure the continued success of the organization.
• Candidates should be able to provide evidence of creative and innovative leadership and demonstrated success in procuring extramural funding.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Strong interest in supporting and further developing the laboratory LIMS system as well as web-based tools for consumer assistance.
• Exemplary communication skills to effectively coordinate within the organization and with academic faculty, CAES administration, county Extension agents, Extension specialists, farmers, the general public, and other commercial/industry clients.

Physical Demands

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

Yes

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

Yes

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. Unofficial Transcripts
2. List of References with Contact Information