Department Head and Professor

Job Details

The Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications for Department Head and Professor. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader with a strong record of teaching, scholarship, and service, who can provide strategic direction and foster excellence in education, applied research, Extension outreach, and collaboration. The Department Head 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.

The Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) is a dynamic, collaborative community advancing education, research, and outreach in conservation, management, and restoration to empower people with the knowledge to address environmental and natural resource challenges. With approximately 265 undergraduate students, 60 graduate students, and 30 faculty/staff, the department offers undergraduate programs in Conservations Planning and Park Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences along with M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in Biological Sciences and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the department’s teaching, research, and Extension programs, ensuring excellence and relevance in all areas;
• Establish goals and objectives, foster collaboration, and build strong relationships within the department, across campus, among local conservation agencies, and with stakeholders throughout the state;
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain faculty, staff, and students;
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, coordinate fundraising efforts, and oversee revenue-generating activities;
• Oversee management and maintenance of departmental facilities and resources;
• Facilitate research and intellectual property development opportunities for faculty and students;
• Represent the department in official communications with the college, university, governmental and non-governmental conservation partners, and other external stakeholders; and
• Maintain an active program of teaching, research, and/or scholarship consistent with the rank of Professor for the agreed upon workload percentage, contributing to the department’s academic mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. Degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Range Science, Wildlife or Fisheries Science, or a closely related field completed by date of application;
• At least five years of directing/supervising experience;
• Eligible for the rank of Professor at SDState in Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field;
• Productive history in research, teaching, applied management, or Extension outreach;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills;
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills;
• Ability to manage personnel and budgets;
• Ability to work as a contributing team member;
• Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational and/or applied management programs;
• Demonstrated ability or potential to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials and direct effective programs;
• Ability to advocate NRM programs to and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and allied industries;
• Show a commitment to and understanding of natural resources, public service, and the university’s mission and goals;
• Authorized to work in the United States, sponsorship is not available for this position; and
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and willingness to travel.