Full Time Lecturer, Agricultural Communication & Brock Center Director

Cal Poly•San Luis, CA

2d•$5,507 - $15,211

About The Position

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a two-year, academic year, Full Time Lecturer of Agricultural Communication and Brock Center Director starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fifty percent of this lecturer position will serve as Director of the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication. The Brock Center for Agricultural Communication was established in 1986 and is jointly managed by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). The Director of the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of a student-run, agency-style communication center grounded in Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy. This role oversees operations, supervises and mentors student associates, and ensures the production of high-quality, public-facing communication assets that support agriculture, food, and environmental sciences. The Director serves as a key liaison between the Agricultural Education and Communication Department and the Journalism Department, facilitating strong collaboration and alignment to ensure oversight, coordination, and shared strategic priorities that reflect the strengths of both programs. The Director works closely with faculty, college leadership, industry partners, and university stakeholders to guide branding, digital media, print publications, and strategic communication efforts, while advancing the Center’s mission to bridge agriculture, media, and the public. The Director will also actively seek funding to augment the current endowment to allow expansion of the Center’s activities. The duties of the Director will constitute approximately 50% of the initial appointment. The remaining 50% will be fulfilled as a lecturer within the Agricultural Communication program housed in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. Lecturer rank will be commensurate with experience. The incumbent will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, such as campaign planning and execution, broadcast (video), social media management and experiential communication, and other related courses. Duties may also include, but are not limited to, supervision of undergraduate senior projects, team teaching assignments, and student advising. Service activities will include participation in department, college, and university committees and instructional related activities. Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges per month for the respective ranks are: Lecturer A: $5,507 - $6,677 Lecturer B: $6,221 - $13,224 Lecturer C: $6,825 - $14,523 Lecturer D: $8,593 - $15,211

Requirements

An earned master’s degree in Agricultural Communication or a closely related field.
Candidates must demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player.
Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as the ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings is required.
Work effectively with teams, be a productive team player, and interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public.
Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.
Particular attention will be given to candidates with productive records of teaching and scholarly activity that would strengthen current department initiatives and those with strong demonstrated leadership experience and capability.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience teaching multiple classes and those with relevant work experience.
The ability to collaborate with faculty across the College and University is desirable.
Experience working with varied populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, equitable, and inclusive learning environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of a student-run, agency-style communication center
Oversee operations
Supervise and mentor student associates
Ensure the production of high-quality, public-facing communication assets that support agriculture, food, and environmental sciences
Serve as a key liaison between the Agricultural Education and Communication Department and the Journalism Department
Work closely with faculty, college leadership, industry partners, and university stakeholders to guide branding, digital media, print publications, and strategic communication efforts
Actively seek funding to augment the current endowment to allow expansion of the Center’s activities
Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, such as campaign planning and execution, broadcast (video), social media management and experiential communication, and other related courses
Supervision of undergraduate senior projects
Team teaching assignments
Student advising
Participation in department, college, and university committees and instructional related activities