Associate Professor or Professor - Department Chair, Forestry and Natural Resources

University of Kentucky Applicant Site•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE ), University of Kentucky (UK), seeks a Department Chair to support a shared vision with innovative and skilled administration of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. The UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources operates through successful integration of its three land-grant missions, research, education, and extension, to develop solutions for the critical issues facing forests, wildlife, and natural resources today and in the future. The Chair will facilitate the Department’s efforts to enhance and develop prominence in research and graduate education, foster nationally recognized extension and outreach programs, and provide leadership for its Society of American Foresters ( SAF )-accredited forestry undergraduate program. Responsibilities also include recruiting, mentoring, supporting, and evaluating faculty and staff, managing budgets and departmental resources, interacting with external constituencies and partners, promoting departmental development, leading long-term unit planning, and collaborative management of the UK Robinson Forest. The Chair serves as the chief academic officer, administrator and program leader for the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, reporting directly to the M-G CAFE Dean. Living in Central Kentucky offers the charm of a small-town lifestyle combined with the convenience of a big city, thanks to its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to metropolitan areas like Louisville and Cincinnati. Working here provides ample opportunities in diverse fields such as healthcare, education, and horse industry, all while enjoying the region’s low cost of living, friendly communities, and beautiful landscapes, including the iconic bluegrass fields.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in forestry, natural resources, or a related field of study encompassed by the Department’s programmatic areas.
Candidates must have a compelling vision for the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources’ role in research, education, and extension and be able to effectively lead and manage an interdisciplinary academic department.
Demonstrated ability to support nationally prominent programs in research, education, or extension.
Administrative experience and/or evidence of potential for effective administration and a national reputation for excellent scholarship or extension programming from an academic or other research institution are required.
Candidates must also be able to develop and promote constructive relationships with on- and off-campus stakeholders, including forestry and natural resources agencies, alumni, and donors.
Applicants should meet qualifications for faculty appointment at the associate professor / professor rank with tenure in a tenure eligible title series.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the Department’s efforts to enhance and develop prominence in research and graduate education
Foster nationally recognized extension and outreach programs
Provide leadership for its Society of American Foresters ( SAF )-accredited forestry undergraduate program
Recruit, mentor, support, and evaluate faculty and staff
Manage budgets and departmental resources
Interact with external constituencies and partners
Promote departmental development
Lead long-term unit planning
Collaborative management of the UK Robinson Forest
Serve as the chief academic officer, administrator and program leader for the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources