Ctr Dir & Prof

Candidates for the faculty rank of Professor shall be qualified for the rank of associate professor and, in addition, be a recognized national or international authority or an outstanding teacher in their field or specialization. A candidate for this rank must have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the associate professor level.

Internal search – open to current permanent UF faculty only

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

Duties and Responsibilities

The Center Director is the administrative head of the West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) located on two campuses (Milton and Jay) and provides leadership and support for the teaching, research and extension programs essential to the agricultural, horticultural, natural resource conservation, environmental and consumer interests of the area. The Director is responsible for encouraging the development of proactive programs addressing the present and future needs of the surrounding agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities. WFREC programs seek to improve the viability of regional agricultural economies, protect and enhance natural resources, and encourage positive interaction at the urban-agriculture interface.

The Center Director administers and supports the teaching programs of the faculty. Administration of the undergraduate teaching program is coordinated in conjunction with the WFREC Teaching Program Coordinator. The unique WFREC teaching program was established in cooperation with Pensacola State College and has a 12:1 to 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Students pursue a B.S. degree in Plant Science or Natural Resource Conservation awarded by the University of Florida while remaining in the Milton-Pensacola area. The WFREC also has an active graduate student program.

The Center Director facilitates and supports the research and extension programs of the faculty. WFREC faculty, support staff, and facilities are located at both WFREC campuses. The campus at Jay is a 640-acre Research/Extension farm, and the Milton campus is located at the Pensacola State College-Milton.

The Center Director is responsible for sound management of WFREC, budgetary and personnel resources, and for development of short- and long-term goals involving programs, equipment, teaching gardens, physical plant and personnel. In collaboration with stakeholders and UF/IFAS leadership, the Center Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously advancing a strategic vision that enhances WFREC’s impact at the local, regional, and statewide levels. The Center Director will maintain liaison with local, state, and federal agencies and will interact with UF/IFAS administration, county extension faculty, other UF faculty and staff, and agricultural and environmental leaders in accordance with the Center’s mission and goals.

The Center Director is expected to use appropriate communication and management skills to promote teamwork among faculty and staff and be able to delegate responsibility and make timely decisions. The Director is responsible for evaluation of WFREC faculty programs and initiation of tenure and promotion actions in consultation with appropriate department chairs. The Center Director reports administratively to the Dean for Research & Executive Director for Academic Affairs, and programmatically to the Deans for Academic Programs, Research, and Extension.

The Center Director must take an active role to develop and maintain goodwill for the Center among various support and clientele groups and consumers. Strong ties must be developed and maintained with organizations and public agencies, including commodity organizations and local and statewide agriculture, natural resources, and regulatory governmental agencies. A good working relationship must also be maintained with private entities, including agricultural producers, members of agricultural industries, various agriculture and horticulture clientele groups, environmental NGO’s, and consumers. Interaction with Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida will also be necessary to maintain a strong teaching program in cooperation with these entities. The Director will cooperate with UF/IFAS Department Chairs, other UF/IFAS Research and Education Center directors, Extension State Program Leaders, county extension faculty and other UF units in program development.

OTHER INFORMATION: The West Florida Research and Education Center is located approximately 35 miles northeast of Pensacola, FL in Santa Rosa County within 20 miles of gulf coast beaches. This traditional agronomic crop production area is increasingly influenced by the rapidly expanding urban areas of northwest Florida and an increasing interest in natural resource conservation. The faculty at the WFREC specializes in agronomy, weed science, turfgrass management, environmental horticulture, fire ecology, forest ecology and silviculture, and wildlife ecology and conservation.

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.  UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Internal search – open to current permanent UF faculty only

An earned Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a field related to plant sciences, including but not limited to agriculture, environmental horticulture or natural resources.  The candidate is expected to have experience in conducting teaching and research programs with academic credentials equivalent to the full professor required. Experience with extension activities, farm operations, and developing and/or administering a teaching program that leverages on-site facilities and learning environments is also desirable.  The candidate must have demonstrated leadership experience, including responsibility for mentoring and supervising faculty, staff, and students, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing organizational environment. Strong administrative, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required, along with the ability to manage complex programs and make effective decisions. Proven ability to coordinate and administer experiential learning initiatives for non-traditional students across curricula is highly valued. Candidates should also have experience in obtaining extramural support from commodity and industry groups or governmental agencies such as USDA. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to build and sustain productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders and must exhibit a clear understanding of and commitment to the mission of the land‑grant system, including the integration of research, teaching, and extension. A strong commitment to the core values of the University of Florida is essential.

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date and submit:

• A formal letter of application which includes a brief statement of the applicant’s administrative philosophy and ideas on the role of an off-campus Research and Education Center,
• A current curriculum vitae which includes a biographical sketch, teaching, service, consultantships, and a complete list of publications, and
• three (3) names and contact information of references who can assess the candidate’s qualifications for this position

(Please refer to Requisition # 540729)

Dr. Mark Kistler

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Indian River Research and Education Center

2199S. Rock Road

Fort Pierce, FL 34945

Telephone: 772-577-7327

Electronic Mail: mark.kistler@ifas.ufl.edu

Interviews will be held from late August – early September.

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.