Center Director and Professor - North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC)

NFREC•Gadsden, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is seeking a Center Director and Professor for the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). This is a 12-month, 100% FTE administrative position responsible for providing leadership and support for research, extension, and teaching programs vital to the agricultural, natural resource conservation, environmental, and consumer interests of eastern Florida Panhandle through the Suwanee Valley and much of NE Florida. A key aspect of this role is stakeholder engagement to unify efforts and identify needs. The Director will encourage the development of proactive programs addressing current and future needs of agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities, aiming to improve regional agricultural economics, protect natural resources, support sound urban landscape practices, and foster positive urban-agricultural interface interests. Responsibilities include effective management of NFREC resources (budgetary and personnel), development of short- and long-term goals, active pursuit of private funding and endowments, and encouraging faculty to seek extramural grants. The Director will liaise with local, state, and federal agencies, interact with UF/IFAS administration, county extension faculty, other UF faculty and staff, and agricultural and environmental leaders. Strong communication and management skills are expected to promote teamwork, delegate responsibilities to associate directors, and make timely decisions. The Director will evaluate faculty programs, initiate tenure and promotion actions, and actively engage in filling vacant positions. Establishing new faculty positions and programs with a clear vision for future agriculture and natural resource development is crucial. The Director will form stakeholder advisory committees, initiate cooperative research with national and international institutions, and maintain goodwill with support and clientele groups, local agencies, and consumers. Strong ties with commodity organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and governmental agencies are essential. The Director will cooperate with UF/IFAS Department Chairs, other REC directors, county extension faculty, and other UF units in program development. The NFREC is one of the largest and most diverse off-campus units of UF/IFAS, with campuses in Quincy, Marianna, and Live Oak. It comprises 16 faculty members across nine academic units and four Regional Specialized Extension Agents. Research and Extension programs focus on cropping systems, biofuel and medicinal crops, beef/forage production systems, plant breeding systems, specialty crop systems, and natural resource management systems. The Center Director's office is in Quincy, with Marianna 40 miles west and Live Oak 100 miles east. The NFREC fosters transdisciplinary research with UF campus faculty, other RECs, and other universities, and has a strong international presence. The University of Florida is a comprehensive land-grant institution with extensive academic and research programs.

Requirements

An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a field related to agriculture or natural resources.
Experience in conducting major research, extension, and/or teaching programs.
Academic credentials that merit appointment at the rank of a tenured Professor in the appropriate academic department within IFAS.
Demonstrated strong professional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and administrative skills.
Experience in obtaining legislative and financial support from commodity and industry groups.
Strong commitment to extension, research, and teaching.
Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
Supportive of the mission of the land-grant system and commitment to UF core values.

Nice To Haves

Previous administrative experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and support for research, extension, and teaching programs at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC).
Engage stakeholders to unify efforts and identify needs within the agricultural, natural resource, environmental, and consumer sectors.
Encourage the development of proactive programs addressing present and future needs of agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities.
Improve the viability of regional agricultural economics, protect and enhance natural resources, support sound urban landscape practices, and encourage positive interests at the urban-agricultural interface.
Manage NFREC resources, including budgetary and personnel management.
Develop short- and long-term goals for programs, equipment, physical plant, and personnel.
Actively seek private funding and endowments to enhance the sustainability of the NFREC.
Encourage and support faculty in seeking extramural grant opportunities.
Liaise with local, state, and federal agencies.
Interact with UF/IFAS administration, county extension faculty, other UF faculty and staff, and agricultural and environmental leaders.
Use appropriate communication and management skills to promote teamwork among faculty and staff.
Delegate responsibilities to associate center directors at the three NFREC locations as appropriate.
Make timely decisions.
Evaluate NFREC faculty programs and initiate tenure and promotion actions in consultation with department chairs.
Actively engage in filling positions after retirement on established programs.
Work towards establishing new faculty positions and programs with a clear vision for future agriculture and natural resource development goals.
Form stakeholder advisory committees to assist with program-related recommendations and decisions and to generate support for needed facilities and equipment.
Initiate and encourage cooperative research projects with national and international institutions.
Develop and maintain goodwill for the Center among various support and clientele groups, local agencies, and consumers.
Develop and maintain strong ties with commodity organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and local and statewide governmental agencies.
Cooperate with UF/IFAS Department Chairs, other UF/IFAS Research and Education Center directors, county extension faculty, and other UF units in program development.