Location
Water Resources Center, 509 Westinghouse Road, Pendleton, SC, 29670
Open Date
Jun 18, 2024
Description
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for the position of Associate Professor/Professor and Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center.
Clemson University is a Land Grant institution designated as an R1 University with strong community engagement. The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences is deeply rooted in Clemson University’s heritage as a land-grant institution, advancing founder Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of higher education that benefits South Carolina, its people, land, natural resources, and economy. World-class education, research, and Extension merge for scientific discoveries of global impact, while partnerships with industry and state and federal agencies foster innovation and provide unique opportunities for faculty and students.
The South Carolina Water Resources Center (SCWRC) is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, and is closely adjacent to the Clemson University campus. With expertise in water resource economics and policy, sustainability, climate, flood modeling, water quality/quantity, water best management practices, and aquaponics/hydroponics, the mission of the SCWRC is to help sustain South Carolina’s water resources. The SCWRC is home to faculty, support staff members, and other research and Extension personnel. The Center property includes meeting rooms, classrooms, field and clean laboratories, greenhouses, and other specialized facilities for water research. Expansion of the research laboratory infrastructure and graduate student capabilities is underway.
General Duties and Responsibilities: The Executive Director serves as the principal internal and external spokesperson for the SCWRC. This position will hold tenured faculty rank and provide leadership and support to maintain and advance strong integrated research and Extension programs appropriate for the SCWRC. The Executive Director will lead the SCWRC, manage Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) focused water resources initiatives (facilitating water research, outreach and engagement, and education and training programs), and serve as the lead for coordinating PSA water projects with state and federal water resource agencies to identify issues on sustainable water management where Clemson research and Extension can provide solutions.
The Executive Director will provide a vision for innovative, interdisciplinary research and Extension initiatives; foster a collegial working environment at the SCWRC; facilitate development of collaborative relationships with Clemson University faculty, whether located on main campus or at Research and Education Centers across the state; and strengthen working relationships with local communities, external funding agencies, commodity groups, research collaborators at partner institutions, and other key constituency groups.
Additional Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership and oversight of research and Extension activities at the SCWRC
• Mentor faculty and provide vision and guidance for research initiatives
• Establish a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising
• Improve and expand the SCWRC infrastructure through successful fundraising and project guidance
• Manage the SCWRC’s daily operation, budget, facilities, and resources
• Provide supervision of support staff
• Foster a culture of collegiality and inclusive collaboration among students, staff, and faculty
• Attend the annual NIWR Director’s Meeting in DC and meet with SC delegation regarding NIWR WRRA reauthorization and appropriation asks
Qualifications
Clemson University seeks a strategic and visionary individual to lead the SCWRC. The successful candidate will have extensive (10 plus years) experience in a premier academic setting and shall serve as a strong advocate for faculty, staff, and students. The candidate will also have demonstrated accomplishments, impacts, and programmatic vision of relevance to the research and Extension programs at the SCWRC.
Additional Desired Qualifications Include:
• Influential leadership skills, including supervisory and budgetary experience
• Ability to build support for initiatives through engagement with stakeholders (e.g., SCDES, SCDNR, SCDA, SC Farm Bureau, USDA-NRCS, SCOR, SC SeaGrant, county regional governments, non-profits, industry, etc.)
• Strong communication skills and capacity to inspire others
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and to building a cohesive working environment
• Understanding of fundamental and applied research opportunities across the range of water disciplines represented within the SCWRC
• Demonstrated commitment to research and/or Extension as illustrated by achievements in grants, scholarship and academic reputation in the field
• Exemplary mentoring skills that encourage faculty to achieve their highest potential
• Ability to create and maintain appropriate alliances with diverse stakeholders Education
The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in a water-related discipline and achieved a record of scholarly activity warranting appointment at a tenured rank in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University.
Application Instructions
For full consideration, please apply by July 31, 2024. This position will be posted until it is filled.
Applications should include: 1) a detailed curriculum vitae, 2) a letter of interest that addresses the requirements described above and the applicant’s motivation to apply, 3) a statement of vision (2-page max) for the Executive Director role at the SCWRC, including leadership style and values, and 4) names, titles, and contact information for at least three references.
All application materials are required to be submitted electronically via Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/148213
Inquiries and nominations can be submitted confidentially to Dr. Sarah White (swhite4@clemson.edu) or Dr. Charles Privette (privett@clemson.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information.