Professor and Chair - Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department (SWESD)

Classification Title:

Chair & Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

Duties and Responsibilities:  The chair of the department provides: (1) vision, support and coordination in planning, developing and implementing departmental programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land Grant Mission; (2) leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; (3) administration of the department’s human and financial resources; and (4) facilitation of external funding opportunities.  The chair administers state, national, and international programs of the department. The chair fosters shared governance, as outlined in the department by laws, evaluates faculty and staff performance, and encourages the proactive development of strategic programs.  The chair represents departmental and faculty interests with administrators, other departments, and units, and outside agencies, individuals and groups in natural resources, industry, and communities.  The chair collaborates with the Senior Vice President, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, Florida Agriculture, Citizens of the state of Florida, extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders worldwide.

Background Information: The mission of the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department is to provide scientific leadership in research, graduate and undergraduate education, and extension/outreach for soil, water, and environmental sciences. By discovering new scientific knowledge and imparting that knowledge to fellow scientists, students, and citizens, the Department shall assist in the resolution of land and water resource issues related to agriculture and natural resources and environment in Florida, the nation, and the world.  The SWESD has established itself as a leader in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs in management and restoration of these resources. The SWESD faculty are located both in Gainesville and at 10 IFAS Research and Education Centers (REC) located throughout Florida.  Currently, the SWESD has 40 tenured/tenure-track faculty positions (19 at RECs and 21 in Gainesville) and 9 non-tenure track faculty in Gainesville. In addition, 2 tenure-track faculty positions and 1 lecturer are currently advertised.  Details about the SWESD teaching, research, and extension programs can be found here.  

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations