Professor and Department Head - DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Organization
College of Natural Resources -Virginia Tech

Location
Blacksburg, VA

Application Deadline
12/14/2007

Established in 1959, the Department of Forestry has grown to 31 full-time faculty, 14 research-extension-postdoctoral associates, 16 affiliated and adjunct faculty, 6 district natural resources and forestry Extension agents, and 60 graduate students and 140 undergraduate students. The Department offers two undergraduate degrees (Natural Resources Conservation and Forestry) with options in Forest Resource Management, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Recreation, Natural Resource Education, Natural Resource Science, Industrial Forestry Operations, Watershed Management, and Environmental Resource Management. The Department offers Master of Forestry, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in five general specialty areas that include Forest Biometrics and Geomatics; Forestry Biology and Urban Forestry; Forest Economics, Policy, and Management; Natural Resources Recreation and Human Dimensions, and Forestry Operations. The Department has considerable off-campus properties used for programming. The Department Head provides leadership in the management and administration of the Department, with oversight in areas of faculty and staff recruiting and retention, diversity, curriculum development, Extension and engagement programming, research, budgeting and reporting, facilities, gifts and endowments, and the acquisition of external funding. The Department Head reports to the Dean, College of Natural Resources and maintains liaisons with other administrators of the college, university, state and federal agencies, and associations.

A resource website has been established for this search with important information about the position, process, department, university and community. The resource website is located at www.forestry.vt.edu/searchresources

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an academic discipline related to areas of programming in the department. Candidates should possess a distinguished record of accomplishment, including demonstrated strength in learning, discovery and engagement. Candidates should have administrative experience or demonstration of administrative potential through roles of continued responsibility and working effectively with people at all levels of an organization or within a university environment. Prior demonstration of collegial leadership and effective communication skills is paramount. The Department Head should be responsive to the needs of faculty and the diverse student body, and committed to cultural and intellectual diversity. Candidates should be able to serve as an effective advocate of the Department as well as a visionary to move the Department into the future on the leading frontier of forestry. Candidates should know and understand the role of natural resources and forestry management, as well as recognize the utilization of physical and social sciences in addition to human dimensions as key components of department programming and impact. Knowledge of the current and emerging trends and issues in forestry and natural resources is desirable. Candidates should qualify for appointment at the rank of professor in the Department of Forestry, through an established record of accomplishment. Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the above required qualifications, the candidate would have history of collaboration with colleagues on and off campus, experience reaching out to business, industry, government agencies and associations and the ability to be a good departmental, college, and university citizen; demonstration of collegial leadership.

Application: Application materials should include your resume, the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of five professional references. References will not be contacted until later stages of the search and candidates will be notified in advance of contacting references. The applicant should address his or her interest in the position by preparing a written statement of interest that addresses the matching of personal skills and education with the position description; please limit to no more than 3 pages. All materials must be submitted electronically. An official transcript must be provided as a condition of employment. Submit on-line at www.jobs.vt.edu , referring to posting No. 071157. Review of candidate files will begin December 14, 2007 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Confidentiality of nominees and applicants will assured until the on-campus interview stage of the search.

Nominations and Inquiries: Dr. Paul M. Winistorfer, Professor and Head

Department of Wood Science and Forest Products

College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech – 230 Cheatham Hall (0323)

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Phone 540.231.8853 or email pwinisto@vt.edu.

Virginia Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and has a strong commitment to the principle of diversity and, in that spirit, seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, minorities, and people with disabilities. Virginia Tech is the recipient of the National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the participation of women in academic science and engineering careers. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process or needing this material in an alternate format should notify Debbie Garnand, Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at 540-231-8853 or email at garnandd@vt.edu.

For more information, see https://www.jobs.vt.edu.