Brookings, South Dakota
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Posted: 19-Aug-24
Location: Brookings, South Dakota
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commensurate w/qualifications
Salary Details:
Required Education:
Additional Information:
The Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science (AHPS) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the Department Head. This pivotal role requires an individual with a clear strategic vision, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. As the Department Head, you will report directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this is a 12-month administrative appointment with an academic rank of Professor.
AHPS is a vibrant and dynamic unit within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). The department comprises 40 full-time faculty members and 43 dedicated permanent staff. Our programs offer undergraduate instruction leading to a B.S. degree with majors in Agronomy, Horticulture, and Precision Agriculture. We also offer graduate degrees, including an M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Science, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. The department boasts several state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, both on and off-campus, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. For more information about the department, please visit: https://www.sdstate.edu/agronomy-horticulture-plant-science.
CAFES is one of the eight colleges that make up South Dakota State University. Like the university, the college has a three-fold mission to teach, conduct research and deploy outreach programs to serve people in South Dakota, the nation, and the world. In addition to six academic departments, the college is home to both the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and SDSU Extension. Extension and AES faculty and staff are distributed throughout the academic departments in CAFES and three additional SDSU colleges. Nearly all faculty have appointments in at least two of the mission areas. SDSU West River Research and Extension in Rapid City is an outreach facility of the college that supports teaching, research, and extension in the western part of the state. Other locations throughout the state include eight SDSU Extension Regional Centers and eight AES research field stations. To learn more, visit: https://www.sdstate.edu/agriculture-food-environmental-sciences.
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 Department Head must lead the department to develop and maintain strong, relevant research, teaching, and extension programs; foster strong working relationships between the department and its alumni, university stakeholders (including commodity groups and other such constituencies), employers, and news media; develop and manage budgets; manage personnel; represent the department in communications with the college and the university.
SALARY RANGE:
The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience, minimum of $150,000 annually. 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 university’s guidelines.
BENEFITS:
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $60 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. 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.
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 September 9, 2024.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
SDSU accepts applications through an on-line 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, a statement of your vision for research, teaching and Extension in Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Sciences (limit 2 pages, attached as ‘other’), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on 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 the policy of the University 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 John Blanton at 605-688-4792 or John.Blanton@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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D. in Agronomy, Biotechnology, Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, or a closely related field completed by date of application.
- Eligible for the rank of Professor in AHPS Department.
- Competence in research, teaching, and professional outreach.
- Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability or potential to effectively manage budgets and personnel.
- Ability or potential to advocate the department’s programs and initiatives to various statewide constituencies.
- Commitment to the land-grant philosophy and system.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Recognized nationally or internationally in field of expertise.
- Ability or potential to secure funding to support and expand departmental programs; and
- Experience managing research units and field research stations.