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Oklahoma State University

Professor & Head of Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States, 74074


Professor and HeadDivision of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesOklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University (OSU Agriculture) invites applications and nominations of energetic and visionary individuals for the position of Professor and Head of the OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. This appointment is administratively responsible to the Vice President and Dean of OSU Agriculture.

Department ProfileBuilding upon its foundation of excellence and commitment to the citizens of Oklahoma and beyond, the OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) conducts interdisciplinary research, instruction, and Extension education to address sustainable management and conservation of fishery, forest, rangeland, wildlife and other natural resources of Oklahoma and beyond. The department is nationally and internationally recognized for excellence and dedication to developing students into well-rounded professionals, educators, and leaders.

OSU Agriculture consists of the Ferguson College of Agriculture, OSU Extension, and OSU Ag Research. Presently, there are 17 tenured or tenure-track faculty members in NREM as well as three career track faculty. The department is supported by three staff members and service units in information technology, finance and business operations, and communications and marketing. The Oklahoma Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit is an integral part of the department and includes three adjunct faculty members.

The department’s approximately 250 undergraduate students select from majors in Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Forest Ecology and Management, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Wildlife Ecology and Management, and Wildlife Biology and Pre-veterinary Science. The Forestry Ecology and Management option is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The department averages 60 graduate students and offers M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.

Responsibilities

Promote excellence in scholarly teaching, research, and Extension.

Recruit and retain outstanding faculty, staff, and students.

Effectively and efficiently manage human, financial, and physical resources.

Represent departmental interests in a collaborative manner to administrators and other University and Division units.

Engage the department with state and federal agencies, agricultural and natural resource industries, professional organizations, alumni, and the public at-large.

Pursue external funding to include competitive grants, research contracts, gifts, and other special funding, such as endowments for scholarships, fellowships, chairs, and professorships.

Encourage professional growth and development through assigning responsibilities and evaluating the performance of faculty, staff, and students.

Facilitate connections with students and foster an environment of community, teamwork, and respect among students and the departmental faculty and staff.

Represent and extend departmental activities in state, regional, national, and international organizations and committees.

Lead collaborative work among faculty and staff in aligning departmental strategic initiatives and activities in support of the strategic plan for OSU Agriculture.

Provide departmental leadership with fairness and integrity.

Qualifications

Earned doctoral degree in a natural resource ecology and management discipline, including but not limited to forestry, range, wildlife, or fisheries.

Outstanding record of scholarly achievements and professional activities related to teaching, research and/or Extension, which will qualify for the rank of Professor with tenure.

Thorough understanding of and advocacy for the land grant mission.

Evidence of administrative ability to direct an academic department with visionary and progressive leadership.

Proven ability to attract external resources for teaching, research, and/or Extension through grants, contracts, and/or donations.

Ability to effectively listen, communicate, and represent the department among administrators, agencies, and stakeholder groups.

Ability to foster professional development, assign responsibilities and facilitate team building.

Demonstrated willingness and ability to make timely decisions.

Ability to inspire others, relate to people, demonstrate effective communication skills, foster professional development, assign responsibilities, and evaluate the performance of faculty and staff.

Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural, economic, environmental, and social issues affecting producers, educators, agribusinesses, natural resource agencies and organizations, consumers, and communities.

Commitment to international programs.

Commitment to continuing one’s own professional and leadership development.

Employment ConditionsThis position is to be filled in the spring of 2025 and no later than June 1, 2025. This is a full-time, 12-month, administrative appointment with tenure as a professor in the department. Salary is commensurate with qualifications. Continuation of this position is subject to performance and need.

Application

While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been identified, interested parties are encouraged to submit their application materials by October 1, 2024, to receive optimal consideration. Nominations for the position are encouraged and should include the name and contact information for the nominee. Nominations can be submitted to Dr. Wade Thomason (Committee Chair) at Wade.Thomason@okstate.edu.

Interested applicants must apply via OSU’s online applicant tracking system at http://jobs.okstate.edu: search for the position labeled req18247. As part of the application process, provide a cover letter, CV, full contact information for four references, and a statement of administrative leadership philosophy and vision. Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.

Questions may be addressed to Dr. Wade Thomason, Committee Chair (Wade.Thomason@okstate.edu).

Equal Employment OpportunityOklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit https:///eeo.okstate.edu

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