Griffith Endowed Chair and SD Water Resources Institute Director

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department (ABED) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) excited to announce a new opening for the William Mibra Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources and South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director. We are seeking a scientific leader to collaboratively enhance the region’s water resources sector. This role will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of water-related research and outreach initiatives. The successful candidate will provide leadership and conduct research and outreach focused on water issues associated with agricultural production. Located on the SDSU campus in Brookings, South Dakota this position is a 12-month full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track faculty position at the associate or full professor level.

The ABED includes approximately 30 faculty and staff members, over 30 graduate students, and over 220 undergraduate students, of which approximately a third are in the Precision Agriculture major delivered jointly by the ABED and the Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Sciences Department. The department houses the Mesonet at SDState, South Dakota’s live weather network, which provides accurate weather updates every five minutes to increase agricultural efficiency, and the Water Resources Institute, which provides leadership on evolving water concerns and problems faced by South Dakota citizens. More department information is available at https://www.sdstate.edu/agricultural-and-biosystems-engineering.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The appointment will be 40% extension/outreach, 40% research, and 20% administration as part of the Water Resources Institute. The incumbent will lead research and extension activities that address water issues related to agriculture. This position will require close working relationships within the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department, as well as other researchers on campus and nationally on t water resources issues related to precision agriculture, the Water Resources Institute, SD Mesonet, and, East Dakota Water Development District.

Programming will include: 1) Lead a research program to evaluate and address water-related issues related to production agriculture at the field and/or watershed scale; 2) provide leadership and establish collaboration or partnerships in water management with graduate students, faculty in other departments and universities, Extension educators and specialists, government agencies, the agricultural community, commodity groups, and agribusinesses to enhance water-related research; 3) secure external funding; 4) present and publish research results; 5) lead the Water Resources Institute outreach mission by interacting with the public to provide answers to water-related questions and creating an Extension outreach program in collaboration with Extension faculty and field specialists; and 6) contribute to the University and professional communities.

SALARY:

The salary for this position will be commensurate with qualifications. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays.  Relocation benefits are available per the university’s guidelines. 

BENEFITS:

We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access.  The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.  South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering or closely related discipline. A distinguished record of outreach, research, scholarship, and service.  Eligible for rank of Associate or Full Professor at SDSU in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer Department. Standards documents are available upon request. Ability or potential for leadership of employees. Ability to develop a quality research and outreach program to evaluate and address water-related issues related to production agriculture. Ability to secure extramural funding, present and publish research results. Ability to interact and communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with colleagues, staff, students, producer groups, and other clientele. Ability to work as a contributing team member with effective interpersonal skills. Must have a valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire and be willing to travel.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Midwest or Great Plains agricultural production practices. Ability to mobilize internal and external stakeholders into a collaborative, guided water ecosystem.  Experience in agricultural water issues (such as water management for crop production, water quality including specific pollutants, soil health, water issues related to livestock and related production, or sociological issues related to agricultural water management) or urban water issues (such as stormwater management, green infrastructure, or low-impact development). Knowledge of governmental environmental quality policies and statutes. Registered or eligible to pursue registration as a Professional Engineer.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by January 10, 2025.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, research, outreach and administrative statement (attached as other, 6 page limit), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. 

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Dr. Todd Trooien at 605-688-5677 or Todd.Trooien@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu.  Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:  Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD  57007.  Phone: (605) 688-4128.