UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Professor
Functional Title: Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
& Associate Director, University of Maryland Extension
Position Number: 114399
Category Status: Faculty Tenured
Unit: AGNR-UME-Associate Director
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland seeks to hire an outstanding, collaborative, and experienced leader to assume the role of Associate Dean and Associate Director (AD/AD) of University of Maryland Extension (UME). This position is headquartered on the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) campus and reports to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who also serves as Director of UME. Working in tandem with Extension faculty and county-based extension staff, the AD/AD provides visionary and engaged leadership for a robust and impactful organization that addresses the complex needs of the state in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer science, and 4-H youth development. In addition, the AD/AD will work closely with the College leadership to engage and convey a ‘can do’ message to our many stakeholders at the local, state, national, and international levels. The AD/AD will build upon the College’s efforts to serve as a resource and problem solver for residents, from translation of science into practical application to advance and sustain agriculture, to protect our environment and preserve our natural resources, to enhance the economic vitality of our rural and urban communities, to help develop youth into productive and informed citizens with outstanding character, and to help improve the health and well-being of our citizenry.
The University of Maryland is a top tier public institution ranked 60th among all U.S universities and 20th among all public universities in the 2017 U.S. News and World Report for Best Colleges. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources was ranked 5th nationally among all colleges of agriculture as a ‘Best Value College’. Close proximity of the College to both Washington D.C. and Beltsville, Maryland allow for a competitive advantage of partnerships with many federal and state agencies including the FDA, USDA-ARS, EPA, NIH, and Maryland Department of Agriculture.
The UME is a large organization with 204 faculty and 321 support staff located on the University of Maryland College Park campus, on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) campus, and in 23 counties including Baltimore City, at four (4) regional centers, and as part of the Maryland Sea Grant Program. On the College Park campus, the majority of Extension positions are located in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, although UME also supports positions within the College of Computer, Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the School of Public Health. The Extension program in Maryland is joint between UMCP and UMES and is headquartered out of the UMCP campus. UME supports programs in Maryland with a total expenditure of approximately $30 million – comprised of state general funds, federal formula funds, and county appropriations. UME is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas.
Responsibilities:
- Providing visionary leadership and helping establish strategic direction for development of an extension program to meet the current and future needs of the citizens of Maryland.
- Serving as principal leader to ensure that UME excels in statewide public outreach and research-based practical application across all program areas of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H, Sea Grant, and Economic Development.
- Elevating UME’s reputation for providing impactful educational experiences on regional, national and global levels through close collaboration with Extension faculty and extensive networking of county-based staff.
- Developing effective, clear, and accessible messaging about the impact from UME programs.
- Leading UME recruitment and retention of faculty and staff and fostering a supportive environment of mentoring and professional development.
- Providing effective fiscal management and appropriate use of funds to support people and programs.
- Interacting with and supporting the efforts of the county extension advisory councils in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Operations and City/Area Extension Directors.
- Providing statewide communication with the agricultural industries, extension user communities, and key statewide stakeholders.
- Fostering strong relationships with county/city, state and federal government agencies.
- Fostering an environment that is collaborative in interdisciplinary programming with the research and academic missions within the College and across campus.
- Seeking extramural funding for the organization.
Qualifications:
Required–
The successful candidate must demonstrate excellence in leading and managing a complex and large scale program to a high level of excellence; provide evidence of developing a positive and supportive working environment with faculty and staff that resulted in relevant and impactful Extension programs; describe the development and implementation of a shared organizational vision; have excellent communication, planning, organizational, personnel and fiscal management skills; and have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in all settings and circumstances. The successful candidate must possess a doctorate degree and outstanding record of accomplishment to merit tenure as a Professor or equivalent in an appropriate department within the University of Maryland, College Park campus. The candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding of, passion for, experience in, and commitment to the Land Grant mission. This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.
Applications:
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a letter of application, a statement of philosophy, a curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts (official transcripts will be required if offered the position), and five (5) professional references (including name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address). The statement of philosophy should describe the attributes of a 21st century Extension organization and how the experiences, traits, and style of the applicant would lead that program to maximum impact. Applications and nominations should be addressed to Dr. Robert Jackson, Chair, Search Committee, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Electronic application is required and must be submitted through eTerp at https://ejobs.umd.edu.
Salary & Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience. The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.
Closing Date: For best consideration, apply by February 24, 2017. Position open until suitable candidate is identified.
The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.