Professor & Head, Plant Sciences, The Univ. of Tennessee
- Employer
- The University of Tennessee
- Location
- Tennessee, United States
- Salary
- Salary Commensurate with experience
- Date posted
- Nov 23, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Education, Education Administration & Leadership, Science, Technology & Mathematics, Other Science & Technology
- Employment Level
- Tenured/Tenured Track
- Employment Type
- Full Time
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – PROFESSOR AND HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF PLANT
SCIENCES
Applications and nominations are invited for the position of
Professor and Head, Department of Plant Sciences, The University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. This position is 12-month and tenured with a
100% administrative appointment.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES
The Department currently employs 30 faculty members and 61
professionals and support staff to conduct its teaching, research,
Extension/outreach, and service programs. These employees are
located on the Knoxville campus and throughout Tennessee at
Research and Education Centers and the State Botanical Gardens of
Tennessee. Approximately 130 students are enrolled in the
Department's bachelor’s program in the Herbert College of
Agriculture. The Department offers concentrations in Horticultural
Science and Production, Organic Production, Plant Genetics and
Biotechnology, Public Horticulture, Sustainable Landscape Design,
and Turfgrass Science and Management. The Department’s masters and
doctoral programs, including the intercollegiate Master of
Landscape Architecture, offered in partnership with the College of
Architecture and Design, currently enroll about 86 students.
Participation in research, creative achievement, and experiential
learning are fundamental to the Department’s undergraduate and
graduate education programs. Research and Extension efforts focus
on agronomy and field crops, fruit and vegetable production,
landscape design, molecular biology and genomics, nursery
production, organic and sustainable production, plant breeding,
public horticulture, turfgrass and management, controlled
environment agriculture, and weed science. The Department's
mission, vision, and core values are available at https://ag.tennessee.edu/plantsciences/Pages/mission.aspx.
Additional information on the Department is available at https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/.
Information on Knoxville can be found at http://taes.utk.edu/upload/AgRsch/Knoxvilleinfo.pdf.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Department Head’s responsibilities include leadership of all
departmental programs and administrative responsibility for
planning, fiscal management, human resources, and facilities. The
Head reports to the Deans of UT Extension, AgResearch, and the
Herbert College of Agriculture and works with each of the three
Dean’s offices to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. The
Head guides the Department’s efforts to deliver nationally and
internationally recognized teaching, research, and
Extension/outreach programs. The Head helps develop, articulate,
and promote the Department's vision of being an innovative and
leading source for information and technologies in agronomy,
horticulture, plant biology, and landscape design.
The successful candidate is expected to:
• Lead education, research, Extension/outreach, and service
activities in the Department with fairness and integrity;
• Advocate effectively for the Department with University
administration and external constituencies (including professional
organizations, alumni, industry, and state and federal
agencies);
• Promote a workplace environment that values diversity, equity,
inclusion, and respect for multicultural and multidisciplinary
settings, and is based on collegiality, teamwork, inclusive
decision making, and a sense of shared community across the
University;
• Recruit, motivate, strengthen, and retain faculty and staff
through active engagement, mentoring, and professional development
programs;
• Increase recruitment and participation of underrepresented
students and faculty within the department;
• Interact with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders to
determine and support direction and priorities;
• Enhance cooperation and collaboration with other departments,
colleges, and universities;
• Cultivate externally sponsored opportunities to support
departmental programs; and
• Increase national and international recognition of the
Department’s faculty, staff, students, and programs.
The University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the
ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and
intercultural goals of the University and College.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate must qualify for the rank of Professor in
the Department of Plant Sciences with an earned doctorate in plant
sciences or a related field. In addition, the candidate must
demonstrate the following:
• Excellence in at least two of the following: (1) Research or
scholarly activity; (2) Teaching, instruction; (3)
Extension/outreach or service; or (4) Academic or administrative
leadership;
• Record of outstanding professional accomplishments, including
team-building skills;
• Understanding of and commitment to excellence in the three
missions (teaching, research, and Extension/outreach) of a land
grant university; and
• Knowledge of and commitment to equal employment opportunity and
affirmative action.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
We seek a collegial leader with:
• Effective communication, consensus building, interpersonal, and
leadership skills;
• Skills in effective management of personnel and a desire to
encourage productive teamwork; and
• Demonstrated fiscal and resource management skills;
• Experience assessing priorities, developing and implementing a
strategic plan, and adapting to change in a multidisciplinary
environment;
• Appreciation for the disciplinary breadth of the Department;
and
• Clear vision and strategy for the Department.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation is competitive and based on education, experience, and
qualifications. The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive
benefits package to all regular employees, including health and
dental insurance, life insurance, and multiple retirement
plans.
NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS
The Department of Plant Sciences fosters a diverse and inclusive
environment, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should submit (i) letter of application summarizing the
applicant’s qualifications, leadership philosophy, and vision for a
plant sciences department that integrates diverse disciplines
within a contemporary land grant university; (ii) complete
curriculum vitae; (iii) statement of philosophy and approach to
building a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for
faculty, staff, and students; (iv) names, addresses, email
addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five professional
references that the Search Committee may contact; and (v) copy of
transcripts showing degree(s) conferred through https://apply.interfolio.com/94903.
Nominations and questions regarding the position should be directed
to Dr. Christopher Clark, Search Committee Chair, cdclark@utk.edu,
(865)974-7462.
Review of applicants will begin January 14, 2022 and continue until
an appointment is made.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for
employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability,
or covered veteran status.
Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits
at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations
of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is
intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.
In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively
states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or
disability in its education programs and activities, and this
policy extends to employment by the University.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color,
national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA
(disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual
orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of
Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN
37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498 (V/TTY available) or 974-2440.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to
the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.
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