Professor and Head, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 15 Aug 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Professor and Head, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Posting Number 202200217F
Proposed Annual Salary Range $195,0000-$205,000 with comprehensive benefits package.  Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Position Type Faculty
Work Hours/Week 40
Description of Work Unit
The College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University invites applications and encourages nominations for Department Head and Professor in Soil and Crop Sciences. This department is one of five in the college, which is also home to ten Colorado Agricultural Experimental Stations. As one of the premier Soil and Crop Science programs, the department is focused on education, research, and outreach to solve the world’s most pressing food production issues and environmental quality and sustainability challenges. The department’s innovative research and academic programs span diverse topic areas including but not limited to soil and environmental solutions, sustainable agricultural management, and plant biotechnology.
Consistently included as one of the best places to live and work in the country, Fort Collins provides the breathtaking backdrop and home to Colorado State University. Located on the northern edge of Colorado’s economically vibrant and environmentally beautiful Front Range, the region boasts many major employers. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, the area offers access to an unparalleled lifestyle with indoor and outdoor activities enjoyable in every season.
Tenure/Tenure Track? Yes
% Research 0
% Teaching 0
% Service 0
% Administration 100
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/15/2022
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Position Summary
Colorado State University seeks a Department Head who will provide inspiring and collaborative leadership for the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. The Department Head is a 12-month appointment with a suggested, but flexible start date of August 2023. The Department Head is the department’s visionary and administrative leader, with oversight of faculty, students, staff, curriculum, budget, and strategic direction. The successful candidate will continue to grow the formidable reputation of the department, playing a key role in expanding and strengthening research, education, service, and outreach. The Department Head will be committed to fostering an inclusive and interdisciplinary future for the department, who is skilled in directing change amongst teams with diverse interests, and who is perceptive in developing the academic and creative potential of faculty, staff, and students.
The Department Head will have the experience and passion to build upon existing excellence, as well as catalyze new initiatives within and outside the department. A successful candidate will be poised to engage students, faculty, staff, and alumni to strengthen initiatives across the department, CSU Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and local and regional campuses. The Department Head will interact with a broad range of constituencies including food and agricultural commodity groups, public and private sectors, non-government organizations (NGOs), and civil societies to steward programs that are cutting-edge and impactful. The Department Head will ensure and advocate for excellence in all areas of research, scholarship, instruction, engagement, diversity, and inclusion.
The Department Head will be an accomplished scientist, with recognized expertise pertinent to the fields of soil and crop sciences. Opportunities exist for the successful candidate to continue an active role in research, teaching, or extension efforts.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Required Job Qualifications
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to achieve complex goals and objectives, which is evidence of high-level leadership, communication, and management skills. Required qualifications include:
  • A PhD in a field pertinent to soil and crop sciences
  • A sustained record of scholarly excellence necessary for meeting qualifications as a Professor with tenure in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
  • Demonstrated proficiency to adaptively manage programmatic, fiscal, and academic resources to creatively take advantage of and cultivate new opportunities
  • Demonstrated ability to advance the department’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice https://agsci.colostate.edu/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
  • Leadership experience in areas that align with the department’s strategic goals https://agsci.colostate.edu/department/soil-and-crop-sciences/about-scs/soil-crop-sciences-strategic-plan
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Demonstrated leadership skills including experience mentoring or managing faculty and staff in a collaborative and transparent manner
  • Demonstrated ability to develop excellence in teaching and instruction, with knowledge to attract, retain, and support undergraduate and graduate students
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate research and scholarly productivity, that may include a record of obtaining external funding
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively engage stakeholders including industry, government agencies, and non-governmental entities including land trusts, as well as public and private foundations
  • A compelling vision for developing the agroecosystems of tomorrow
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please provide the requested application materials no later than August 15, 2022. Materials include:
  • Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
  • Current CV
  • Leadership statement describing your leadership philosophy and style as well as a vision for providing leadership for departmental research, teaching, and engagement (uploaded in ‘Other’ slot). 
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice statement describing your demonstrated commitment to and vision for your leadership advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the department.
  • Contact information for three (3) references, including your professional relationship with each reference listed. References may be contacted at a semi-finalist or finalist stage; references will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
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    Background Check Policy Statement
    Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    Diversity Statement
    Personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by involvement in teaching, research, creative activity, service to the profession and/or diversity/inclusion activities.
    Search Contact [email protected]

    Essential Duties


    Job Duty Category Leadership
    Duty/Responsibility
    Support of the Land Grant missions of teaching, research and Extension; develops departmental priorities and allocates resources; advocates for the department and cultivates an environment that encourages excellence; promotes opportunities for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and Extension; identifies opportunities to obtain additional resources for the department and enhances diversity of faculty, students and staff to support a climate of inclusiveness and respect; takes leadership role in the development, management, vision, and trajectory of the department’s strategic plan.
    Percentage Of Time 50
    Job Duty Category Administration
    Duty/Responsibility
    Responsible for performance reviews of faculty and administrative staff, and the development and administration of the department’s budget. The Head works collaboratively with a broad range of constituencies internal and external to CSU to foster a program that is both strategic and innovative, and enhances research, teaching, outreach, and diversity.
    Percentage Of Time 30 to 50
    Job Duty Category Research and/or Teaching
    Duty/Responsibility
    Opportunities exist for the successful candidate to continue an active research and/or teaching program, but the focus of this appointment is its leadership and administrative duties.
    Percentage Of Time 0 to 20

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