Job no: 522323
Work type: Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science
Department:60011000 - AG-SVP-ADMINISTRATION

Classification Title:

Aso VP and Aso/Full Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is seeking a dynamic leader and scholar for the position of Associate Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). The goal of this senior leadership position is to elevate the level of strategic direction and programmatic leadership around issues of IDEA for faculty, staff and students across UF/IFAS.

UF/IFAS is proud to be part of a top five public university, and to lead in supporting UF’s mission as a land-grant university. The mission of UF/IFAS is to develop knowledge in agricultural, human, and natural resources, and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With programs, employees, and students located across Florida, it is essential that UF/IFAS mirror the audiences we serve, which assures that all citizens of Florida have access to the teaching, research and extension outreach offered by UF/IFAS. As such, UF/IFAS is seeking a well qualified candidate who will serve as a thought leader with in-depth knowledge and IDEA expertise who will intentionally engage faculty, students, staff and our stakeholders in dialogue around critical issues to improve the Institute’s climate and support the academic, career, and personal development of underrepresented groups.

The Associate VP is a tenured faculty position which will report directly to the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, and will work closely with the entire administrative leadership, including the UF/IFAS Deans for Teaching, Extension and Research. The individual will be a member of UF/IFAS senior leadership and is expected to provide advice, guidance and information on all aspects of the Institute. It is also expected that the Associate VP will work as a partner in campus-wide strategic imperatives for IDEA in alignment with the university’s strategic plan as stewarded by the UF Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Advisor to the President of the university.

In addition to providing leadership for IDEA, the Associate VP will carry an academic appointment so that scholarly activities can be pursued, such as serving as a primary investigator of IDEA-focused proposals.

UF/IFAS is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. Historically underrepresented group members are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Engage and collaborate with deans, unit leaders and other key stakeholders to identify UF/IFAS priorities and short-term and long-term objectives that align with the university’s strategic goals and enhance UF’s national reputation.
• Coordinate and facilitate shared best practices and identify opportunities for greater alignment to ensure a more unified UF/IFAS effort. Serve as a central resource/coordinator for UF/IFAS diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
• Provide leadership for UF/IFAS IDEA Committees and Catalyst Teams.
• Work closely with UF/IFAS Human Resources to assure that our workforce best reflects the demographics of Florida and that our hiring practices are equitable and supportive of IDEA principles.
• Provide leadership, including serving as the principal investigator for grants, contracts and awards which help support IDEA concepts within IFAS.
• Prepare and complete scholarly publications on IDEA as it pertains to the land-grant mission.
• Work with other senior leaders to provide subject-matter expertise related to historic, current and emerging diversity, equity, inclusion and access issues. Develop a cohesive narrative of what inclusive excellence and diversity means for UF/IFAS and work with other leaders to communicate this vision consistently within the UF/IFAS community.
• Provide evidence-based insight to support inclusive excellence. Engage and consult with other university and UF/IFAS offices including Office of the Provost, Human Resources, General Counsel, Student Life, Chief Diversity Officer and other expert stakeholders to support related efforts. Develop and implement programming for faculty and staff to enhance current efforts and ensure broad understanding and adoption of inclusive excellence principles and practices.
• Establish key metrics to demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative progress toward a climate of inclusion. Review relevant UF and UF/IFAS data. Make recommendations to VP and senior leadership.

Background Information:

The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas.ufl.edu), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu), the Florida Sea Grant program (http://www.flseagrant.org/ ), and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

The University of Florida’s main campus is located in Gainesville, which is often recognized as one of Florida's most livable cities and one of the best college towns in America. Located in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville maintains a small-town feel, but offers many amenities found in much larger metro areas, as well as access to many natural areas for outdoor recreation, including state parks, rivers, springs, and access to the beach within a short drive. With an expanding downtown, a strong cultural arts following, a wide variety of shops and restaurants, world class medical care facilities and low cost of living, Gainesville and Alachua County are considered to be one of the best places to work, live and play.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a relevant field is required. A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured associate or full professor in one of the IFAS academic departments is required. Candidates must also be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.

We are seeking an established scholar with a strong interest and experience in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and in promoting knowledge within UF/IFAS and the wider community. Candidates for this position should demonstrate a strong record of program building across disciplines and have experience with grant writing and administration, and administrative leadership.

Prospective candidates are expected to demonstrate strong leadership and the capacity to build on our current initiatives. We seek candidates with visions and ideas that can move UF/IFAS in new directions and embody UF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus and in our programs and curricula.

Preferred Qualifications: Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by August 15, 2022 The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Application Information:

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/522323 and submit:

• Letter of application that states the applicant’s interest in the position, qualifications relative to the position, administrative philosophy, and previous professional responsibilities and achievements and how these relate to the advertised position. The letter should include the applicant’s general strategy for building and sustaining IDEA, given the mission of a land-grant university.
• Complete vita (including a description of current position and responsibilities).
• Names and contact information of five individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s qualifications for this position.

Nominations:

Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Please refer to Requisition # 522323

Dr. Tracy Irani
Professor and Department Chair
3001 a McCarty Hall D
1604 McCarty Dr
The University of Florida
Gainesville FL 32611
Telephone: 352 273 3446
Electronic Mail: irani@ufl.edu

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Health Assessment Required:No

Advertised: 08 Jun 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled