Position Description
The Department Head is the lead administrator of the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship within the Warner College of Natural Resources. The Department Head is primarily responsible for leadership and administration of teaching, research, extension, and service activities of departmental personnel. This is a full-time, 12-month appointment.
The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship is one of five academic departments in the Warner College of Natural Resources. The other departments are Geosciences, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Fish Wildlife & Conservation Biology, and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. General information about the Warner College of Natural Resources and departments can be accessed at www.warnercnr.colostate.edu.
The Department has 13 tenure-track faculty and several non-tenure track faculty. Recognized expertise includes the biology, ecology, economics, fire science, management, policy, restoration and water resources of forest and rangeland ecosystems.
The Department offers undergraduate majors in Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, Natural Resource Management, and Fire and Emergency Services Administration as well as M.S., Masters of Natural Resources, and Ph.D. degrees. In addition, the Department offers minors in Ecological Restoration, Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, Conservation Biology, and Spatial Information Management. Faculty members may also direct graduate students in the interdisciplinary Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. The Department has over 500 undergraduates and 60 graduate students.
The Department mission is to promote interdisciplinary stewardship of forests and rangelands. We create and communicate knowledge to students, land managers, policy makers, peers, and the public. We foster the science and management of forests and rangelands. We integrate these disciplines with others in our college and university, focusing on: 1) innovative graduate and undergraduate programs; 2) research programs that create knowledge to improve land stewardship; and 3) extension programs that empower the public to accomplish their stewardship goals.
The Warner College of Natural Resources is also home to several interdisciplinary centers and programs, including the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, the Center for Collaborative Conservation, the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. In addition, the Colorado State Forest Service is embedded within the Warner College of Natural Resources. Warner College is one of eight academic colleges at Colorado State University. The Department and College are active participants in programs and courses at CSU’s Mountain Campus at Pingree Park, a 9,000-ft and 1,600-acre campus and conference center.
Colorado State University is a land grant university with about 27,500 students located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fort Collins residents enjoy a high quality of life, a moderate cost of living, and the city is often rated as one of the best places to live in the United States. The city has numerous bike paths, a vibrant downtown and community, and is adjacent to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, with easy access to many outdoor activities.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Earned doctorate in forestry, range science, natural resources, or related field.
2. Experience with education, research, and outreach.
3. Accomplishments that meet the requirements for a tenured full professor or a commensurate level of relevant experience and accomplishments.
Additional Desired Qualifications:
1. Demonstrated success in administrative duties, budgeting, and program development and growth.
2. Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills in communicating with and mentoring faculty and staff.
3. A record of scholarly contributions to knowledge in forestry, range management, or natural resource management, with demonstrated expertise in natural resources stewardship.
4. At least one degree (preferably a PhD) in Forestry or Rangeland Science/Rangeland Ecology/Rangeland Management.
5. Demonstrated commitment to and experience managing successful professional degree programs in forestry and rangeland ecology/management.
6. Commitment to the undergraduate and graduate learning experience, with prior involvement in programmatic development and student activities.
7. A record of excellence in teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in a forest, range, or natural resources management program.
8. Disciplinary expertise in forest, range, and natural resource management that complements and enhances existing departmental strengths.
9. A demonstrated understanding of the full breadth of programs in the department, and the vision to fully develop the unique opportunities the department presents.
10. A record of success in working with federal, state, and municipal natural resource management agencies, as well as private sector and other conservation and scientific organizations.
11. A record of success in working with diverse stakeholders on research, outreach and education in natural resource management, including specific efforts related to forestry and rangeland ecology/management.
12. Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity among students, faculty, and staff.
13. Experience conducting development activities and a willingness to lead departmental development efforts.
14. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary leadership team.
Responsibilities of the Department Head Include:
• Creative, facilitative leadership in cooperatively defining and implementing goals, objectives and strategies of the Department and in communicating its aspirations, abilities, and achievements to all relevant internal and external constituencies, while fostering positive relationships.
• Serving as a key member of the College’s leadership team, and working collaboratively and effectively with the College Executive Committee (composed of Department Heads, Associate Deans, and Dean) to shape and further the goals of the Department, the College, and the University.
• Preparation of, administration of, and adherence to the departmental budget.
• Providing leadership for developing and strengthening curricula, recognizing changing societal values and technical advances in the profession.
• Management of the Department to promote student, staff, and faculty achievement and development.
• Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.
• Working effectively with the departmental committees to address governance, curricular, human resource, and physical resource needs.
• Fostering an atmosphere of collegiality and cooperation within the department and College.
• Conducting formal and informal personnel evaluations, including mentoring of department faculty and staff members.
• Providing leadership in faculty hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions.
• Working effectively with alumni, the Dean, and the College Development Office to attract and allocate development funds.
• Aggressively pursuing interaction and developing working relationships with the Colorado State Forest Service, other University programs and disciplinary areas, state and federal agencies, professional societies, and other organizations.
• Respecting and advancing diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, and staff.
• Interacting with prospective and current students and their families.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Fringe Benefits: Annual and sick leave per University policy, group health, life, dental, disability, and retirement benefits.
Application Procedure: Applicants should submit:
• A letter that addresses the candidate’s experience, performance, and vision in light of the job qualifications, position criteria, and departmental context.
• A curriculum vitae.
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of five references who will be contacted only after the short list of candidates is established and candidates have been notified.
Application materials of semifinalist candidates, including letters of reference, will be made available for review by the entire faculty of the Department of Forest, Rangeland Stewardship. Submit above
materials electronically to the following site by 10 March, 2015 for full consideration: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/employment-opportunities.html
Questions about the position should be directed to:
Dr. Rich Conant
Chair, Search Committee
1401 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1401
Rich.Conant@colostate.edu
Deadline: Applications and nominations may be considered until the position is filled. For full consideration applications should be received by 10 March, 2015.
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.