Description
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites internal applications for the position of Professor and Director of the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science.
The role provides an opportunity to foster continued growth at the Baruch Institute, which consists of active research and Extension faculty at a coastal forest ecosystem research station. It also provides an opportunity to collaborate with over 60 faculty in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation and the Department of Agricultural Sciences that work in areas of water resources, wetland and forest ecology, wildlife conservation, carbon and nutrient cycling, and climate change.
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science is located in Georgetown, South Carolina https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/research/baruch/. Under an agreement with the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, the Institute includes 17,500 acres in Hobcaw Barony and is 35 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 60 miles north of Charleston. The facilities at Baruch provide unique research opportunities in a coastal environment with high salinity estuary marshes, brackish water, and freshwater swamps.
General Duties and Responsibilities
The Director will hold faculty rank and provide leadership to maintain and advance strong research and Extension programs; provide a vision for innovative educational initiatives; foster a collegial working environment and collaborative relationships with faculty on the main campus; and strengthen working relationships with local communities, environmental conservation agencies, external funding agencies, research collaborators at partner institutions and other key constituency groups. The Director serves as the principal internal and external spokesperson for the Institute and its mission. The Director also serves as liaison to the Baruch Foundation Board and as the Executive Director of the Wallace F. Pate Foundation for Environmental Research and Education, a subsidiary of the Clemson University Foundation. The Pate Foundation is responsible for oversight of a 700-acre forested property adjoining Hobcaw Barony.
Additional Responsibilities
· Managing the Institute’s daily operation, budget and resources
· Providing supervision of support staff
· Providing leadership and oversight of Extension and Experiment Station activities at the Institute
· Mentoring researchers and providing vision for research initiatives
· Hiring technical and administrative support personnel and reviewing their performance
· Establishing a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising
· Fostering diversity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have experience enabling leadership in a premier academic setting and can serve as a strong advocate for the Baruch Institute and its faculty, staff, and students.
A PhD in a field related to any of the Institute’s research programs that will qualify eligibility to hold the rank of tenured full professor within the University is required.
Additional Desired Qualifications Include:
· Leadership skills including supervisory and budgetary experience to ensure Baruch Institute will become pre-eminent in education, research and Extension;
· Ability to build support and marshal resources for research and educational initiatives and to achieve goals through appropriate engagement with internal and external stakeholders;
· Strong administrative, interpersonal, communication, personnel management and consensus building skills and capacity to work collegially and inspire faculty, staff and other administrators;
· Commitment to the land-grant mission and demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders;
· Understanding of the fundamental and applied research opportunities across the range of disciplines represented within the Baruch Institute;
· Demonstrated commitment to research and/or Extension as illustrated by distinguished achievements in grants, scholarship and academic reputation in the field;
· Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary, grant funded projects that involve collaborations from multiple institutions;
· Mentoring skills that encourage faculty to achieve their highest potential;
· Ability to maintain existing external support for the Institute and seek ways to create additional opportunities:
·Ability to create and maintain appropriate alliances with the external stakeholders.
Application Instructions
The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates on November 11, 2024 and will hold in-person interviews on November 18, 2024. Applications should include 1) a detailed curriculum vitae and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described above, as well as the applicant’s motivation to apply.
Inquiries and nominations can be submitted confidentially to Jane Dever (jkdever@clemson.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.
