Auburn University

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The College of Agriculture at Auburn University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. The initial appointment is for a five-year term with possibility of being re-elected by the faculty for one additional term. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2019.

Responsibilities: The Department Chair serves as the senior faculty administrator in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology and promotes excellence in teaching, research and extension/outreach programs. The position demands performance of professional level duties requiring leadership, vision, strategic planning, and decision-making skills in the management of departmental programs and personnel. The Chair is responsible for recruitment, supervision and evaluation of personnel, department budgets, extramural funding, and professional development of faculty and staff.

The Chair will also serve as an advocate and representative of the department/college interests, needs and programs through interactions and fund raising activities. The Chair establishes and maintains working relationships with other departments within the university, commodity groups, agribusiness representatives, governmental and private agencies in addition to students and alumni. Effective communication skills are essential in the position. The successful candidate will report to the Dean, College of Agriculture and Director, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station while maintaining a close collaborative working relationship with administrators and staff in the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Minimum qualifications: The candidate must have an earned PhD from an accredited institution in Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology or a related field and must have achieved the academic and professional qualifications to be awarded tenure at the level of Full Professor in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. The successful candidate must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, demonstrated leadership and organizational skills. In addition, the successful candidate must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and/or extension/outreach activities. A demonstrated ability to secure and sustain extramural funding and leadership/service activities in professional societies are required. Knowledge and commitment to the unique mission of the land-grant university is also required. The successful candidate must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.

Application Procedures: Applicants must apply online at http://aufacultypositions.peopleadmin.com/postings/2705 and submit the following: 1) cover letter addressing the candidate's experience pertinent to the responsibilities of the position. 2) current curriculum vita. 3) copies of PhD transcripts, 4) statements of teaching and research philosophy, and 5) reprints of the candidate’s three most important contributions to the scholarly literature. When prompted during the on-line application process, please provide names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Only complete application materials will be considered. Active review of applications will begin April 1, 2018, but the search will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position should be directed to:

Dr. Joseph Tomasso, Search Committee Chair
Auburn University, AL 36849
Phone: 334-844-4786
Email: jrt0033@auburn.edu

Auburn University is a land-grant institution with a student enrollment of more than 28,000. The University provides instruction in approximately 70 academic departments and maintains graduate research and public service programs of a broad scope. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama near the metropolitan areas of Montgomery and Birmingham. Alabama, and Columbus and Atlanta. Georgia.

The Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology consists of full-time faculty and staff conducting programs in research, teaching and outreach/extension activities. More information can be found at http://aers.auburn.edu/.
Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability Employer