Department Head, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM). Founded in 1855, Penn State University has campuses and facilities across the Commonwealth and is ranked among the top public universities in the nation with linkages around the globe. The College of Agricultural Sciences leads the university's land grant mission with the integration of teaching, research, and extension. The College employs over 1,200 full time employees, including 300 faculty, and is the home of over 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students. Its nine academic departments offer 17 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate programs, and 31 other minors and certificates. Research expenditures in the college exceeded $124M in FY23, and through our robust Extension portfolio, research-based educational programs are offered in all 67 counties and online. The college is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning and working environment where everyone can succeed.

The Department's land-grant mission is to ensure a vibrant future for humanity by preserving ecosystems, promoting inclusivity, fostering scientific breakthroughs, educating students for impactful careers, inspiring future leaders, and collaborating on innovative solutions to major environmental challenges. Our mission is achieved through nationally and internationally recognized research, teaching, and outreach activities in key ecosystem science disciplines involving forest health, restoring ecosystem function and service, scaling up ecosystem management, and watershed resilience, with an emphasis on applications in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water, soils, and agriculture. ESM is home to three graduate programs, two undergraduate majors, and three minors, and it participates in four inter-college graduate degree programs and four inter-college dual-title degree programs. ESM is the academic home of a collaborative team of 34 interdisciplinary faculty and 30 staff. The Head is the Department's academic leader and administrative officer and provides intellectual and organizational leadership for ESM. The Head, based at the main campus (University Park), reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Responsibilities include:

• Create and maintain an environment that facilitates 1) a strong sense of community; 2) an effective shared vision; 3) a highly productive, innovative, and entrepreneurial faculty and staff; 4) collaborative opportunities, and 5) a mutually supportive, encouraging, diverse, and intellectually stimulating environment for students, staff, and faculty.
• Lead faculty and staff in implementing and enhancing the Department's undergraduate and graduate education programs, Cooperative Extension, and outreach initiatives to ensure programs are responsive to the evolving interests and needs of students and society.
• Guide and enhance the Department's research environment to assure that programs meet the needs of stakeholders and sponsors.
• Proactively engage Extension, and enhance the Department's state, national, and international reputation.
• Administer and manage the Department's academic affairs, personnel, finances, and physical facilities.
• Represent, promote, and advocate for the Department within the College and University, and with interdisciplinary groups, alumni, and other private and public stakeholders within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.
• Support development programs to attract external support for educational programs, research initiatives, centers and institutes, and Extension engagement strategies.

Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate and a record of scholarly activity with a proven record of peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, and that would qualify for the rank of professor with tenure.
• Demonstrated effective management and administrative leadership of a multi-disciplinary, multi-function department.
• Significant understanding and appreciation of the evolving mission of the land-grant university system, and of expectations, opportunities, and constraints facing faculty and departments in public research and education institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budget priorities and balance a diverse array of needs within the Department.
• Demonstrated ability in and commitment to effective leadership that stresses participatory decision-making.
• Strong personnel management experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Proven ability and commitment to mentoring faculty, staff, and departmental personnel at all career stages and providing support for professional development.

Applications should include:

• A letter of application that states an applicant's specific interest in the position, qualifications, previous professional and administrative responsibilities, and achievements.
• Statement of leadership philosophy.
• Statement describing leadership in, and approaches to, enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Curriculum vitae (C.V.) which includes statement of current position and responsibilities.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is identified. The salary will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the applicant. Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. K. Sandeep Prabhu, Chair of the search committee (ksp4@psu.edu). To learn more about the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, visit: https://ecosystems.psu.edu/

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: