36749BR
Natural Resources Management
Position Description
Davis College is seeking an innovative, dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management who will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for teaching, research, outreach and engagement, and service endeavors in the Department of Natural Resources Management, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The position of Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management is a full-time, 12-month, tenured, Professor to begin August 1st, 2024.
About the University
Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.
About the College
Davis College includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College has over 100 tenure-track faculty, 2,687 undergraduate and 502 graduate students, numerous other staff employees, and generated approximately $14 million in extramural research funding.
About the Department/School/Area
The Department of Natural Resources Management (NRM) (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/nrm) is one of seven departments within the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University. NRM recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, which has its roots in agronomy, range management, and wildlife management, and has evolved to include a diverse array of expertise and emphases within the broader array of natural resources management. The Department is proud of its student-centric, research-intense, multidisciplinary approach to undergraduate and graduate education. Currently, there are 18 full-time faculty, including three USGS scientists in the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and 8 additional instructors. Of these faculty, there are two endowed professorships (Kleberg and Burnett professorships), and one endowed chair (Bricker Chair) that support students and associated research programs of the chairholders. The Department offers two B.S. degrees to 358 undergraduate students (B.S. in Conservation Law Enforcement; B.S. in Natural Resources Management) with five concentrations for the latter (Wildlife Biology; Ranch Management; Range Conservation; Conservation Science; & Aquatic and Fisheries Biology); and two graduate degrees to 67 graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D. in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management). Broadly, research foci of faculty and students within NRM centers upon the application of ecological principles to the management and use of natural resources, which is supported by ~$1.2M in external funding annually, and a departmentally managed vehicle fleet of >35 trucks. Departmental research approaches range from traditional applied projects on ecology and management of upland game birds, big game species, fire ecology, and habitat and range management, to more contemporary projects focused upon wildlife health, conservation of nongame species, wetland and aquatic ecology, migratory birds, aquatic systems ecology, and use of geospatial technologies and eDNA surveillance of both rare and endangered species and non-native invasive ones. As part of Texas Tech’s culture to Strive for Excellence, NRM prides itself on strong relationships with alumni, stakeholders, federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations that support our students, and research efforts across Texas, the southwestern US, and internationally. The department plays an important role in the research enterprise at Texas Tech University, which is committed to becoming an AAU institution.
Major/Essential Functions
The successful applicant for this leadership position will be one who has a strong background in Natural Resources Management, and who has a significant track record of excellence when working with external partners. The Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management will be a driven and collaborative individual who supports research and teaching as critical components of higher education and who will help build future successes on the Department’s foundation of past excellence. In addition, the successful applicant will be someone who exemplifies the Davis College core values: valuing people, commitment to excellence, fostering discovery, and elevating others. We are looking for a strong leader who will help us meet our commitment to discovery, training, instruction, and engagement and outreach in key areas of natural resources. The successful department chair will be one who puts the success of the team and department above their individual accomplishments in the role. They must be one who appreciates interdisciplinary, experiential, and systems-based learning. The successful candidate will be committed to excellence throughout the discovery-to-application continuum.
The Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Management will be appointed to a five-year renewable term, subject to annual reviews by the Dean and a satisfactory formal reappointment review.
Essential Functions
Engage in leadership to implement the University’s academic and research goals, including campus-wide leadership in strategic areas to enhance the regional and national research presence of the department, College, and the University.
Interact with College leadership in strategic planning to foster the academic, research, and service growth of the department and College.
Foster development of interdisciplinary academic and research programs in the College.
Lead efforts to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and to create an environment that fosters diversity, collegiality, and teamwork.
Facilitate professional and academic growth and development of faculty, staff, and students.
Provide leadership to the departmental faculty in planning, developing, integrating, and implementing excellence in teaching, research, and outreach programs.
Manage the department’s human, financial, and physical resources.
Assign responsibilities to faculty and staff and evaluate their performance.
Facilitate the pursuit of external grant and contract funding in the context of the departmental strategic goals.
Actively seek support and resources for departmental programs/facilities and work with College development personnel on gift and endowment opportunities such as scholarships, graduate fellowships, and endowed chairs and professorships.
Engage with professional societies, regional and national organizations, and committees associated with the interests of the department.
Represent departmental interests within the University and to outside agencies, stakeholders, and relevant industries.
Provide leadership in maintaining and expanding relationships with alumni, individuals, and various groups involved in plant and soil science.
Service duties include program-building, as well as commitment to extra-curricular activities. Service to the department, college, and university is expected.
OrganizationTexas Tech University
Faculty Qualifications
To be considered for the position, candidates must have:
A terminal degree in Natural Resources Management or closely related field.
A strong record of academic accomplishments that will allow a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of professor in a Natural Resources Management Field.
An outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, outstanding extramural funding, and university and professional service.
Experience in leading complex, multi- or trans-disciplinary teams in high-impact and successful research.
Exceptional communication (both oral and written) skills.
Exemplary and visionary leadership skills, as evidenced by prior experience.
A demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving all people.
Previous experience or other evidence of administrative ability to direct the activities of a large academic department, and an ability to provide a clear vision and to plan strategically to achieve departmental goals and objectives.
Effective communication, personnel management skills, and demonstrated ability in fiscal management are essential. The successful applicant should have a track record of making timely decisions and responding promptly to administrative deadlines. Highly refined verbal and written communication skills and a commitment to sharing departmental accomplishments and its vision for the future with prospective students, alumni, and stake- holders are indispensable.
Demonstrated ability to create a shared vision and align resources to achieve strategic outcomes.
Exceptional skills in communication and interpersonal relations.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who have:
Prior experience with documented success in higher-education, industry, or government leadership.
Documented ability to collaborate with partners, constituencies, and other interested parties, whether internal or external to the Department and University.
A strong record of data-based decision making.
Experience and successes in encouraging, supporting, and developing entrepreneurial and/or start-up activities.
Experience in working with commodity groups, industry partners, and communities relevant to the academic fields within the Department.
Documented experience in developing international programming.
A record of excellence in foundational and/or translational research evidenced by a portfolio of publications, extramural funding, and collaboration.
A record of excellence in teaching and educating students.
Experience and successes in encouraging, supporting, and mentoring junior faculty.
An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies.
Sensitivity to the perspectives and values of students, staff, faculty, and stakeholders.
Duty PointTTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities
Safety Information
Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Does this position work in a research laboratory?No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include the following documents in your application:
Curriculum Vitae
Cover letter
Statement of leadership philosophy
List of three to five professional references
Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Scott Burris, Search Co-Chair, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-2132, Phone (806) 742-2821; email: scott.burris@ttu.edu.
Job TypeFull Time
Pay Basis
Monthly
Pay Statement
Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.
Travel RequiredUp to 25%
Grant Funded?
No
Job GroupFaculty Administration
EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
Salary Grade800
