Professor and Head, Department of Forestry
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
Deadline: 2005/06/30
Position DescriptionProfessor and Head, Department of Forestry
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma State University
Departmental Mission: The Oklahoma State University Forestry Department discovers and disseminates knowledge of forest ecosystems and their management to meet the needs and values of society, and to sustain their function, diversity, and productivity.
Description: The Head of the Department of Forestry provides leadership for the development of programs and policies within the Department. The Department Head is responsible for the administration of teaching (undergraduate and graduate), research, and extension programs; coordination of departmental programs in the Division, University, and State; and maintenance of good working relationships with administrators, other departments, outside agencies, agricultural and natural resources interest groups, and professional organizations. The Head is administratively accountable to the Dean and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR).
Department Profile: The Department includes 12 tenure track and 2 non-tenure track faculty, 11 support staff members, and has averaged 60 undergraduate and 20 graduate students over the last 5 years. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural sciences and natural resources with a major in Forestry under 4 options: Forest Management, Forest Ecosystem Science, Natural Resources Conservation and Management, and Urban and Community Forestry. All four options are accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The Department offers one graduate degree, a Master of Science in Forest Resources. Departmental faculty participate in interdisciplinary undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. programs including agricultural economics, environmental science, plant sciences, range management, and wildlife management.
Departmental faculty conduct research in a diverse range of forest and natural resources sciences such as biotechnology, genetics, growth and yield modeling, economics, ecophysiology, upland game bird and wildlife management, and hydrology and water quality. The faculty also performs collaborative research with scientists in other academic departments and the University, state and federal agencies and the forest industry.
Extension faculty develop and conduct programs in forest landowner training, 4-H and youth development, water quality, aquaculture, and wood products and utilization. Extension programs also work to improve rural economies. Departmental faculty without extension appointments participate in outreach through contributions to publications, workshops, and service on state-wide committees.
The Department is housed in Agricultural Hall on the OSU campus. Teaching faculty have access to university classrooms, as well as two classrooms and one instructional lab dedicated to the Department. Research facilities include four laboratories in Agricultural Hall, two modern laboratories in the Noble Research Center, a greenhouse with a prep room and a lab and workshop building on the Rigdon-Afanasiev Memorial Arboretum located near campus, and the Kiamichi Forestry Research Center (KFRC) located about 250 miles from campus in southeastern Oklahoma. Facilities at the KFRC include lab space, storage, land for conducting experiments, overnight housing for researchers, dormitories for student field trips, and a conference room for extension programs and meetings. The KFRC is operated jointly with the Forestry Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry. Research facilities are supplied and funded by the Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station (OAES) and OSU. Researchers also have access to other lands and facilities of the OAES.
Responsibilities:
(1) Lead the establishment and periodic review of Department objectives and the direction, scope, priorities, and implementation of teaching, research, and extension programs.
(2) Administer the human and fiscal resources of the Department to best achieve the Departments goals and objectives within established DASNR and University guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to:
*Allocating available funds within the Department and encouraging generation of outside grants and resources
*Allocating departmental facilities
*Assigning workloads
*Evaluating performance for promotion, tenure, and salary decisions
*Recruiting new personnel
*Maintaining a climate of harmonious and productive working relationships among faculty, staff, students and clientele
(3) Promote the Departments programs and needs. This includes, but is not limited to:
*Reviewing the resource requirements of the Departments programs and requesting and justifying additional personnel, space, funding, and/or equipment as warranted
*Assuming a major role in developing cooperative research with other research organizations in universities, government, and industry
*Assuming a major role in recruiting and retaining undergraduate and graduate students
*Providing leadership in the Society of American Foresters accreditation, Cooperative States Research, Education, and Extension Service, and other program reviews
*Creating a development plan to bring additional outside sources of funding to the department for scholarships, recruitment, facility improvement, and other teaching, research, and extension needs
(4) Serve as the principal departmental representative to promote and support forestry and affiliated natural resources disciplines with the University, government agencies, industry, professional societies, and forestry organizations. This includes, but is not limited to, active participation in such organizations as the Society of American Foresters, National and Southern Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges, and Oklahoma Forestry Association.
(5) Promote the coordination of departmental programs with related natural resource and interdisciplinary programs within the Division, University, State, and Nation.
(6) Participate in the teaching program, which may include teaching an undergraduate and/or graduate course.
(7) Strongly advocate and fully support the mission of the land-grant university with respect to teaching, research, and extension.
Qualifications:
(1) At least one professional Forestry degree and an earned doctorate in Forestry or a closely related discipline.
(2) A distinguished record of scholarly achievement in and a thorough understanding of teaching, research, extension, or administration that will qualify the individual to be tenured at the rank of Professor in the Department.
(3) Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to relate well to people, inspire creativity and cooperation in others, delegate responsibilities, and motivate team approaches to problem solving.
(4) Effective managerial skills and documented experience in defining organizational objectives, strategic planning, managing fiscal resources, and generating new resources.
(5) Ability to speak and write clearly and to represent the Department in relation to the University, industry, and government.
(6) Strong commitment to faculty, staff, and student development.
(7) Willingness and ability to take responsible risks and make timely decisions.
Employment Conditions: The position will be filled by October 1, 2005, or as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.
Nomination and Application Procedures: Both nominations and direct applications are welcomed. Nominations should include the name, address, and telephone number of the nominee.
Individuals wishing to apply should submit a letter of application, which includes qualifications, previous professional responsibilities and achievements, academic and administrative philosophies, and how these relate to the Department Heads position. Also include transcripts and a professional resume. Closing date is June 30, 2005, or until a suitable applicant is selected.
The application should include the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of five references that the committee can contact for additional information. The references should be knowledgeable about the applicants qualities that would make him or her well-suited for the responsibilities and qualifications described in this announcement.
Nominations, applications, and questions should be directed to:
Dr. Don Turton, Chair
Department Head Search and Screen Committee
Oklahoma State University
Department of Forestry
008 Agricultural Hall, Room C
Stillwater, OK 74078-6013
(405) 744-5438 (Office)
(405) 744-3530 (Fax)
e-mail: don.turton@okstate.edu
Additional Information: For additional information about the Forestry Department visit our web site at:
forestry.okstate.edu.
For additional information about Oklahomas forests visit the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Division of Forestry Services at: www.oda.state.ok.us.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Applicants will be considered without discrimination for any non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran.
Oklahoma State University and the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to Multicultural Diversity.
For more information, visit: http://forestry.okstate.edu
