Department Head, Plant Sciences

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking a full-time 12-month Department Head for its Plant Sciences Department (PLSC).This Position Has a Starting Date Of Approximately June 1, 2027 Or Sooner As Agreed Upon By The Dean And Finalist. The Department Head Is a Tenured Faculty Position And Will Provide Leadership For All Academic And Administrative Functions Including Instruction, Research, And Alumni, Donor And Industry Engagement. The Department Head Leads a Talented Team Of 7 Tenure-line Faculty, Approximately 7 Full-time And Part-time Lecturers, And 7 Office And Technical Staff, All Of Whom Engage With Approximately 250 Undergraduate Students And Approximately 20 Graduate Students. The Department Head Has Oversight Of And Intersection With Several Specialized Teaching And Research Facilities And Ranches, Orchards And Fields, Including a New Plant Sciences Complex, Horticulture Greenhouses, An Arboretum, Citrus And Avocado Groves, Conventional And Organic Fields, And More. This Position Will Provide Leadership For The Plant Sciences Department In The Following Areas Faculty and staff hiring, development, mentoring, and workload assignments Advancement and fundraising Management of budget, facilities, and departmental resources Departmental curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning Equal-opportunity, accessibility, and nondiscrimination initiatives that foster a respectful and inclusive academic environment for all The Cal Poly community promotes a "teacher-scholar model," which emphasizes scholarly activities and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and potentially graduate courses in the Plant Sciences program. They will be expected to engage in scholarly activities (i.e., research, publishing, presenting, and grant or contract writing). Additional duties will include mentoring students, and participating in University, College, and Departmental committees, service, and other activities. Department Head appointments and 12-month assignments are made and continue at the pleasure of the College Dean. This is a tenured position within the Plant Sciences Department. Appointments with tenure shall be made only after an evaluation and recommendation by tenured faculty in the appropriate department. Tenure is given only in the instructional portion of the position, which includes teaching, research, and service. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Anticipated Hiring Range$175,000 - $185,000 at Full Professor rankEQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

The person holding this position must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development. The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.