Professor and Chair - Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC)

About the role

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) seeks a visionary leader to join the faculty as Chair & Professor.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, support, and coordination in planning, developing, and implementing departmental programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land-Grant Mission.
• Lead in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students.
• Administer the department’s human and financial resources.
• Promote external funding opportunities.
• Represent departmental and faculty interests with administrators, other departments, and units, and outside agencies, individuals, and groups in natural resources, industry, and communities.
• Build on the department's historic strengths in global wildlife conservation, fundamental and applied ecological research, human dimensions of wildlife management, and more.
• Position the Department at the forefront of numerous emerging challenges, integrating new technologies in ecological research and developing wildlife conservation solutions in a rapidly changing world.
• Build a culture that attracts and retains exceptional faculty, staff, and students.
• Direct a multidisciplinary academic department engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land-Grant university.
• Collaborate with the IFAS Senior Vice President, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, Florida agriculture, citizens of the state of Florida, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in ecological science, wildlife, or related natural resources discipline.
• A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the WEC Department.
• A record of effectively mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded fundamental science and applied research.
• Effective administrative leadership and managerial skills in defining organizational objectives, developing strategic approaches to planning, managing human, fiscal, and physical resources, motivating people and developing effective teams, facilitating mentoring and retention of new students, staff, and faculty.
• Demonstrated leadership in outreach to and engagement with varied interest groups including industry, agencies, NGOs, community, and others.
• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing and managing entrepreneurial opportunities, private fundraising, grants, and other external funds in support of teaching, research, and extension.
• Demonstrated ability to interact well with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external interest groups at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
• Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student well-being, recruitment, and retention for all academic programs in WEC.
• Show strong commitment to faculty and staff development, recruitment, and retention.
• Maintain and strengthen collaborations and partnerships, particularly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USGS Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, as well as with agencies, NGOs, industry, and community interest groups.
• Serve as a bridge between university, faculty, and staff to ensure compliance and effective operations, including continued professional development for self and employees.
• Show commitment to international programs.

Skills

• Leadership and vision in wildlife ecology and conservation.
• Strategic planning and implementation.
• Collaborative problem-solving and stakeholder engagement.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage diverse teams and resources.
• Experience in securing external funding.

Benefits

The successful candidate will be eligible for the benefits offered by the University of Florida, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Schedule

N/A