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Professor and Chair, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida

Employer
University of Florida
Location
Gainesville, Florida
Salary
Salary Commensurate with Education and Experience
Closing date
May 3, 2019

View more

Discipline
Life Sciences, Agricultural Science
Position Type
Full Time
Job Type
Academic Dean/Dept. Head
Organization Type
Academia

Professor and Chair  Horticultural Sciences Department (41708)     University of Florida: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: 60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES Location Gainesville, FL

Open Date Dec 6, 2018

Description Duties and Responsibilities: 

The chair of the department provides transparent leadership, effective communication, program evaluation, and support for the faculty and staff statewide to achieve the departmental vision in accordance with the Land Grant Mission.  The chair actively fosters academic growth and professional development, recruitment and retention of diverse and talented faculty, students, and staff to enhance the programs of the department.  The chair must effectively represent all aspects of the department, and work integrally with departmental and university faculty governance.  The chair develops, oversees, and manages budgets and departmental resources efficiently.

The chair is committed to and responsible for actively promoting horticultural science programs at the UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers and fosters interdisciplinary research, extension and teaching statewide.  The chair represents departmental and faculty interests with administrators, departments and units, and external partners and stakeholders, and is instrumental in building and strengthening relationships among the university, government agencies, commodity groups, professional organizations, communities, and other agriculture and natural resource stakeholders. 

The chair collaborates with the Senior Vice President of IFAS, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs, Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for integrated programs that generate new information and technology to prepare students for successful careers, increase capacity of Extension educators and clientele to enhance the economic viability of our horticultural industry while conserving natural resources, and, increase awareness and appreciation of agriculture and the environment among students, clientele, consumers, and other stakeholders worldwide.

Background Information:

The mission of the Horticultural Sciences Department is to conduct research, extension, and teaching to meet the needs and goals of a diverse statewide fruit and vegetable industry. These activities support horticultural industries and protect natural resources by contributing to the breeding of high-value crops with improved yield and quality, and with resistance to emerging pests and diseases; increasing crop diversity; fostering organic cropping systems; and enhancing energy conservation, water and input use efficiency. Fundamental research and graduate training in plant genetics, genomics, molecular biology, metabolism, and physiology are integral parts of the Department’s activities, and are key strengths.  The University of Florida Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked 9th in the world and 2nd in the U.S..

The Horticultural Sciences Department (http://www.hos.ufl.edu) is a unit of IFAS and has 35 faculty members located on the main campus in Gainesville and 26 faculty located at Research and Education Centers (RECs) throughout the state.  Much applied horticultural research and graduate training is accomplished at the various commodity-oriented RECs.  The Department offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.).  Interdisciplinary graduate training is offered through Horticultural Sciences, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology,  Genetics & Genomics, and the Interdisciplinary Ecology degree programs.  Enrollment in our graduate and undergraduate programs has increased significantly in the past five years, with over 100 students currently enrolled.  The Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, and the University of Florida participate in shared governance that provides for faculty participation in effecting conceptual and structural changes in university governance.

The University of Florida is located in Gainesville (https://www.guidetogreatergainesville.com/), which is often recognized as one of Florida's most livable cities and one of the best college towns in America. Located in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville maintains a small-town feel, but offers many amenities found in much larger metro areas. With an expanding downtown, a strong cultural arts community, a wide variety of shops and restaurants, world class medical care and facilities and low cost of living, Gainesville and Alachua County are among the best places to work, live and recreate.

Qualifications

An earned Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Horticultural Sciences or a closely related discipline A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the department Evidence of ability to direct an academic department engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land Grant university with faculty located throughout the state Demonstrated ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded fundamental and applied research Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary programs Effective administrative leadership and managerial skills in the following: defining organizational objectives; developing strategic approaches to planning; managing human, fiscal, and physical resources; motivating people and developing effective teams; promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion within the department; generating and managing grant funds to support teaching, research, and extension; facilitating mentoring and retention of new faculty; and securing private funds Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention for all academic programs in the Horticultural Sciences Department and related inter-disciplinary programs Demonstrated ability to interact well with students, faculty, staff, and administrators within the university, as well as external stakeholders at the state, federal, and international levels Effective leadership in outreach to industry and engagement with diverse clientele groups Commitment to shared governance and fostering strong collaborations among state faculty located on the main campus and at the IFAS Research and Education Centers Commitment to continued professional development for self, faculty, and staff Commitment to international programs Strong understanding of and support for the mission of a Land Grant university Application Instructions For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by April 5, 2019.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Applications:   Individuals wishing to apply must go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/58539 and submit:

Cover letter stating applicant’s interest in the position, qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, previous professional responsibilities and achievements, administrative and management philosophy, and how these relate to the chairs’ position.  The letter should include the applicant’s general strategy for building and sustaining this department Complete vitae (which includes statement of current position and responsibilities) Names and contact information of four individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s qualifications for this position Contact Information and Nomination Submission

Please refer to Position 00014577 and forward all nominations to:

Dr. Blair Siegfried

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

Entomology & Nematology Department

1881 Natural Area Drive

P.O. Box 110620

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL 32611

Phone: 352-273-3970

Email: bsiegfried1@ufl.edu

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

 

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