Job location: Commerce TAMUC

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2019-01-14
Req: R-015823
Job Title

Assistant/Associate Professor in Urban Sustainable Agriculture

Agency

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Department

College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources

Proposed Minimum Salary

$5,833.34 monthly

Job Location

Commerce, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

During the application process you have one opportunity to upload documents as a combined PDF.  The page “My Experience” has an area provided under Resume/CV to drop or upload the file. 

This one combined PDF must include:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Three professional references with complete contact information (Unsolicited letters of recommendation will not be considered).
• Transcripts – If required for the position (Unofficial will be accepted with application. Official transcripts are required at time of verbal offer). 
  If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective faculty member to have the transcripts translated and evaluated by an approved credential evaluator.

All documents must be electronically submitted through the Texas A&M Online Employment Services website to be considered. Incomplete or improperly submitted applications may be excluded from consideration. 

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

This is a tenure track 9 month faculty position that reports to Assistant Dean at Texas A&M University Commerce in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. This position will be part of a new program that fosters sustainable agricultural systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities through innovative education, research, and outreach.

Note: Consideration between the Assistant Professor and Associate Professor rank will be determined by education and the level of industry and/or academic experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Address the needs of small and underserved agricultural communities, and societal goals for agriculture including increasing growth of agricultural system productivity, while improving water, nitrogen and nutrient use efficiency, and use of renewable, low carbon footprint feed stocks to produce biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and other bio-products, while increasing protein availability.

• Interacts with departmental and Texas A&M System faculty for research and community outreach as it relates to Urban/Sustainable Agriculture

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Self-directed and motivated and works toward being an effective problem solver.

• Assist and leads in the development and implementation of events and programs for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community

• The successful candidate will establish new classes in their discipline and will be expected to establish a strong publication record and attract extramural funding.

• Advise students.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses related to their area of expertise

• Mentoring of graduate students in research, participation in professional improvement efforts, and an appropriate level of service to the program, college, university, and discipline is expected.

• Established communication with Texas producers, distributors, and consumer associations for the purpose of future projects and programs is highly favored.

• Travel off campus to fulfill public relations responsibilities.

• Work outside of traditional work hours for evening orientations, home and garden shows, alumni chapter events, community education, etc.. 

• Meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and customer service.

• Ability to work individually or as a team.

• Ability to use discretion, tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with students, faculty, staff, and potential students/families of students

Contributes to the effective team management of all relevant problems, issues and opportunities.

This job description shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the above duties. May temporarily perform other duties assigned to maintain operations and services.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Marginal Functions will vary with the specific assignment and depend on the particular unit or function for which the person is responsible. Consideration will be given on a case by case basis and reassignment of marginal duties will be made when appropriate.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Required: By date of appointment, earned doctorate in Plant Science, Horticultural Science, Crop Sciences, Agricultural, Life, or Social Sciences or related discipline to Urban and Sustainable Agriculture. Experience: Demonstrated potential for leading a research program in plant production for the Urban and/or Sustainable Agriculture industry.

Preferred:  Graduate level courses related to Sustainable Agriculture, Agroecology,  Sustainable Food Systems and/or Urban Food Production.  Prior research in sustainable agriculture or urban food production.  Experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.  At least 18 graduate hours in plant and soil sciences or courses related to sustainable agriculture.  Previous external grant funding experience and experience working with non-academic audiences/clientele (Extension, Peace Corps, etc.).  Experience working with youth.  Experience with duckweed production, hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical production, sustainable crop production, grantsmanship, industry experience.  Effective verbal and written skills, ability to work both independently and as a multi-disciplinary team member.

SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL:

Student workers.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.