Position Function:
The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PSS) at Mississippi State University is seeking qualified individuals to join our dynamic and comprehensive academic unit as the Department Head. The Department Head will communicate and advocate for the department’s multidisciplinary teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs, strengthening connections with agencies, clientele, stakeholder and civic groups, professional societies, and the public.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
MSU’s multidisciplinary Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PSS) hosts over 200 students in baccalaureate degrees in agronomy and horticulture, and master’s and doctoral degrees in agronomy, horticulture, and weed science, both in-person and online. We are housed within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM).
Fifty-five dedicated and involved faculty, on- and off campus, engage in teaching, research, extension, and/or service programs, many of whom carry joint appointments. The department holds two endowed chairs and faculty are nationally prominent, with four Fellows in national/international societies. Our diverse programs are sustained by 25 dependable support and professional staff.
Four regional Research and Extension Centers, strategically located throughout Mississippi serve as hubs for research via the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), and Extension, via the MSU Extension Service (MSU-ES). MAFES also has 12 branch research stations statewide, with most housing capacity in the plant sciences.
PSS teaching, learning, and research thrives with state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and trained personnel. Our departmental home on the MSU campus, Dorman Hall, is under major renovation with plans to rededicate our modernized classrooms and labs in mid-2027.
Mississippi State University PSS prepares graduates, conducts research, and provides the most current information to aid Mississippi’s agricultural economy (combined value of $10 billion with 10.3 million acres under management). The state’s top commodities include soybean ($1.28 billion), corn ($496 million), cotton ($372 million), hay ($171 million), rice ($168 million), horticultural crops ($115 million), sweet potato ($82 million), peanut ($25 million), and wheat ($19 million).
The department is committed to enhancing its statewide, national and international reputation for excellence. More information about the department can be found at http://www.pss.msstate.edu/.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
July 1, 2026.
Tenure Track Status:
Yes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department Head will communicate and advocate for the department’s multidisciplinary teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs, strengthening connections with agencies, clientele, stakeholder and civic groups, professional societies, and the public.
Additionally, the head:
1. Develops/maintains knowledge of the concepts, enabling legislation, history, and philosophy of the department and a land-grant university.
2. Follows policies for departmental budget/expenditure recommendations.
3. Develops/maintains communication with faculty/staff/other personnel, with governmental organizations (local, state, regional, national), and the private sector on behalf of clientele, users, and cooperators.
a. Establishes/maintains effective relationships with key decision-makers/leaders and communicates regularly to improve department activities.
b. Reports regularly to superiors. Advocates/negotiates for optimum combinations of human resources, funds, and other resources to achieve program missions on a priority basis.
c. Review/evaluates plans of work, programs, publications and other educational services. Recommends continuation and/or modification to ensure complementary and supportive efforts by all faculty/staff.
d. Participates in leadership meetings with the Dean of CALS, Director of MAFES, Director of MSU-ES, and the Vice President of DAFVM, reporting on and representing the department; and sharing information back to the department.
4. Oversees, in coordination with departmental faculty, development of curricula, standards for formal/non-formal instruction, and continued programmatic excellence in undergraduate, graduate and extension education.
5. Works with the director of MAFES and other university research centers to enhance research; develop a research program in applied and fundamental research to meet stakeholder needs and expand knowledge base.
6. Ensures Extension faculty provide statewide educational programming for dissemination of research-based information, including in-service education programs for agents and teaching programs for stakeholders to include scientific-based assessment and evaluation.
7. Identifies, supports, and encourages multi- and interdisciplinary programs that advance knowledge and technology and enhance the development and dissemination of practical applications.
8. Encourages teamwork and promotes cooperation/joint programming, where appropriate, within the department, among division units and across the university.
9. Maximizes the use of existing priority planning groups and advisory councils to identify priorities and plan programs.
10. Provides planning, coordination and support for obtaining goods/services for optimum operation of the department, such as official mail, space allocations, supplies, computer support/services, property control and facilities.
11. Manages the staffing process according to MSU policies and procedures, such as position developing/requisition, application recruitment/review, candidate selection/recommendation and terms of employment.
12. Evaluates performance of departmental faculty on -campus and in cooperation with appropriate research and extension center heads. Responsible for justifying the evaluation with the Dean(s)/Directors(s) or their designees.
13. Recommends opportunities and provides support, when possible, for employee professional growth/development.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ideal candidates are those who have achieved full professor status in plant sciences, agronomic sciences, soil sciences, weed sciences, horticultural sciences or related fields at an accredited institution and qualify for tenure at Mississippi State University.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse interests and interdisciplinary programs in the department.
Knowledge of and experience with capital development activities and extramural grantsmanship.
Demonstrated successful administrative experience or potential for successful administrative experience.
Competence in leadership and management, and exceptional interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and extension/outreach.
Achievement of national visibility through leadership in academic and professional organizations.
Willingness to pursue, promote and encourage regional, national and international opportunities for the department.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, partners, consumers, and industry-related constituencies.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate linkages with appropriate local, state, national, and international agencies.
Experience with distance education programs and their management and growth.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The Successful Head will provide:
1.) A bold strategic vision for academic administration, research, Extension, and teaching.
2.) Strong administrative skills
3.) Academic leadership experience
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Limited physical effort required.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applications must be submitted online at www.jobs.msstate.edu. Applications must also include the following information:
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Academic transcripts (SSN # redacted prior to submission)
3. The candidate's administrative philosophy as it relates to teaching, research, and extension in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences should be included in a cover letter.
4. Five professional references that include their name, current title and affiliation, address, telephone number, and email address.
Supplemental information and/or questions may be submitted to: Professor Anne Spafford, PSS Search Chair, ASpafford@lalc.msstate.edu.
Review of applications will begin after January 15, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.
Screening Date:
January 15, 2026, until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
