Department Head with New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM

Type of position Tenured
Employer New Mexico State University
Description of Employer New Mexico State University is a Land Grant, NASA Space-Grant, Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving Institution (federal designation). The Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Sciences is a multidisciplinary group of scientists and teachers whose mission is to provide academic instruction, research and service that focuses on managing pests in semi-arid ecosystems. The strength of the department is the interface among these disciplines in understanding the biology of pest organisms, their interactions, and the impact pests have on urban, agricultural, and natural resources. The teaching and research emphasis of the department is on problem solving. The department teaches integrated biology so students can understand and manage current and emerging issues in plant and animal health and protection, examining problems from molecular to landscape scales. The department offers a B.S. in Agriculture with a major in Agricultural Biology (options include (1) Applied Biology/Pre-professional, (2) Entomology, (3) Environmental Biology, and (4) Pest Biology and Management), a M.S. in Agricultural Biology, and advises Ph.D. students who earn degrees in Biology, Agronomy, Animal and Range Sciences, or Molecular Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences graduate program. More information on New Mexico State University, The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Sciences is available at http://www.nmsu.edu/, http://aces.nmsu.edu/, and http://eppws.nmsu.edu.
Location Las Cruces, NM
Salary Commensurate with education and experience
Benefits Annual and Sick Leave, Group Medical and Dental and Vision Insurance and Life Insurance. Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation, New Mexico Educational Retirement Benefits. Opportunity for educational advancement.
Closing date of competition REVIEW WILL BEGIN: NOVEMBER 1, 2022.
Date position available Phone interviews likely to begin in December 2022. Position available likely in summer 2023.
Description of duties

The department head serves as an advocate for the department and reports directly to the Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The department head is responsible for implementing the department’s vision, and all aspects of administration including fiscal and personnel management, developing and maintaining departmental facilities, faculty, and program evaluations, and administering departmental programs. There is an expectation for active participation in recruiting and mentoring students and faculty from diverse cultures. The department head will exert foresight and effective leadership while fostering positive working relationships among faculty, staff, and students within and between academic and extension departments and our clientele. The department head will teach at least one upper division course annually. A commitment to strengthening support for teaching, research, and service is essential.

Qualifications sought

We are seeking candidates with an appreciation for our multidisciplinary department and the vision, energy, and enthusiasm to provide dynamic leadership for teaching, research, and service activities. Candidates must have attained the rank of Professor or equivalent with a doctorate in entomology, plant pathology, weed science or related field. Candidates must provide evidence of leadership including team-building skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and administrative experience. Individuals need to document their experience and training in research tools for their discipline and demonstrate grant-writing abilities as lead investigator or as part of grant-funded projects. Applicants need an established record of peer-reviewed publications. Academic teaching proficiency within the discipline is required. Ability to promote the department to the college, university, industry, granting agencies, government, and clientele is essential. Candidates must understand and have a strong commitment to both the Land-Grant mission and the mentoring of students and faculty from diverse cultures.

Contact for additional information Steve Fraze
(575) 646-2095
Application procedure  
Submit what Please submit: LETTER OF INTEREST, STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY, DETAILED CURRICULUM VITA, UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS, & NAMES OF FIVE REFERENCES. WE WILL CONTACT REFERENCES WITH PERMISSION OF APPLICANT. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE MAY BE CONSIDERED.
Submit to For complete job description, qualifications and application process visit: https://jobs.nmsu.edu/. Posting # 2200173F
Additional Information Offer of employment contingent upon verification of individual’s eligibility for employment in the United States and upon completion of applicable background review.
NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.