Department Chair, Rangeland and Wildlife Science

Job Summary

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences in the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Department Chair is a 12-month position [9 month faculty, 50% administration/40% teaching and 10% research appointment; and 3 month Department Chair summer appointment 50% administration/50% research].  With an active research program, the candidate may choose to reduce their teaching load during the fall and/or spring semester(s) by obtaining external research funding to support his/her research.  The successful candidate will have credentials for appointment as a tenured, associate or full professor with competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Founded in 1925, TAMUK, a member of the Texas A&M University System, has a diverse student body of over 6,400 students representing 35 states and 43 countries. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a 62% Hispanic undergraduate student population representing the south Texas region. The Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences offers a contemporary, hands-on Range and Wildlife Management curriculum taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty with diverse backgrounds in teaching and research. The department supports an experiential learning environment that includes the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, the leading wildlife research organization in Texas and one of the finest in the nation. The department supports and promotes student and faculty diversity among its 160 undergraduate students, 58 graduate students (41 MS and 17 PhD), and 16 faculty.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Department Chair is expected to:

• Provide leadership in planning and supervising programs relevant to the department’s mission within the university, managing departmental budgetary and financial matters, assisting in generating extramural support, and organizes and participates in departmental and college student recruitment and retention efforts.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses.
• Support student-centered experiential learning environments.
• Promote quality instruction in undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Actively involve faculty in the decision-making process, using appointed and elected committees as appropriate.
• Foster excellence in research, teaching, domestic and international service, and other scholarly works.
• Maintain a synergistic relationship with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.
• Create an environment that fosters diversity, collegiality, respect, and teamwork.
• Provide leadership in developing opportunities to engage in scholastic endeavors.
• Hire and retain talented faculty, staff, and students.
• Evaluates faculty performance annually and provides guidance of faculty along the promotion, tenure track, and post-tenure status.
• Maintain a curriculum that provides requirements for certification for Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society, and requirements for program accreditation by the Society for Range Management.
• Engage, interact, and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators, and alumni.

Additional Responsibilities

• Represent and promote the department on campus and in public and scientific communities.
• Promotes strategic planning and departmental advancement in collaboration with faculty and college administrators.
• Maintains departmental academic organization and adheres to university administrative timelines.
• Lead development and fundraising for various departmental activities.
• Continue professional development in administration and/or teaching.

Minimum Requirements

• Earned doctorate in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Science, or closely related discipline.
• Candidate must have credentials for appointment as a tenured, associate or full professor. Tenure and promotion guidelines for the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources can be accessed at https://www.tamuk.edu/agriculture/_files_AG/forms/PT_Guidelines_2019_FINAL6-20-19.pdf
• Strong commitment to excellence in teaching.
• Experience in assessing priorities and adapting to a dynamic environment with creativity and innovation.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Strong commitment to the support of diversity and inclusion in the department and the university community.

• A record of professional achievement.

 

Other Requirements

Preferred:

• Experience in administration, teaching, and research at a university.

Supervision of Others

The department chair will evaluate, counsel, and promote professional development of faculty, staff, and students.

 

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must submit an application packet containing:

1. A letter of application stating interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials outlined in the Job Description;
2. A single page statement of teaching philosophy;
3. A single page statement outlining research interests;
4. Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV);
5. Copies of transcripts; and
6. Names and contact information of three references

All application materials should be submitted electronically via Workday (www.tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/TAMUK_External) to ensure full consideration. Review of applications will begin on 3 January 2022 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Preferred position start date is June 1, 2022 or prior to start of Fall semester in August 2022.  A background check is required prior to employment for this position. In addition, the selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript(s) from each degree granting institution before an offer can be made. Degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States are required to be evaluated and certified for equivalency to a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degree, and other higher education degrees.

 

Questions can be addressed to:

Dr. Bart Ballard, Chair

Search Committee

700 University Blvd., MSC 218

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, Texas 78363

Phone: (361) 593-3954

Email: bart.ballard@tamuk.edu

 

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is an Equality Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans employer, and all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status are encouraged to apply.