Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center
- Employer
- Clemson University
- Location
- Clemson University
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center
Clemson University
Location: Pendelton, SC
Open Date: Jul 23, 2026
Description
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center. The Executive Director will hold an academic appointment as Associate Professor/Professor in one of three CAFLS departments: Plant and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Forestry and Environmental Conservation Department Clemson University is a land-grant institution designated as an R1 University with strong community engagement. The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences is deeply rooted in Clemson University's heritage as a land-grant institution, advancing the vision of founder Thomas Green Clemson for higher education that benefits South Carolina, its people, land, natural resources, and economy. World-class education, research, and Extension merge to drive scientific discoveries of global impact, while partnerships with industry and state and federal agencies foster innovation and offer unique opportunities for faculty and students. The South Carolina Water Resources Center (SCWRC) is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, and adjacent to the Clemson University campus. With expertise in agricultural water use and irrigation, water resource economics and policy, sustainability, climate, flood modeling, water quality/quantity, water best management practices, and aquaponics/hydroponics, the mission of the SCWRC is to help sustain South Carolina's water resources. The SCWRC is home to faculty, students, support staff members, and other research and Extension personnel. The Center includes meeting rooms, classrooms, a field site, clean laboratories, greenhouses, and other specialized facilities for water research. Expansion of the research laboratory infrastructure and graduate student facilities is underway. General Duties and Responsibilities The Executive Director serves as the principal spokesperson for the SCWRC, both internally and externally. This tenured-faculty position provides leadership and support to maintain and advance strong integrated research and Extension programs appropriate for the SCWRC, addressing the multifaceted needs of South Carolinians. The Executive Director will lead the SCWRC, manage Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) focused water resources initiatives (facilitating water research, outreach and engagement, and Extension education and training programs), and serve as the lead for coordinating PSA projects with local, state and federal water resource agencies to identify issues in sustainable water management where Clemson research and Extension can provide solutions. The Executive Director will provide a compelling vision for innovative, interdisciplinary research and Extension initiatives; foster a collegial working environment at the SCWRC; facilitate the development of collaborative relationships with Clemson University faculty, whether located on main campus or at Research and Education Centers across the state; and strengthen working relationships with local communities, external funding agencies, commodity groups, research collaborators at partner institutions, and other key constituency groups. The Executive Director will be expected to develop new and enhance innovative, applied programs such as: • Statewide water-data integration and decision-support networks that link technology, monitoring data, modeling, and visualization tools for diverse stakeholders, including agencies, communities, and industries. • Climate resilience, drought, and flood-mitigation initiatives integrating green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and community planning. • Collaborative projects on emerging contaminants, PFAS, and harmful algal blooms in partnership with regulatory and public-health agencies, communities, and non-profits. • Water research, policy and governance forums (such as the SC Water Resources Conference and the Journal of South Carolina Water Resources) that bring stakeholders together to support statewide strategic water planning. Responsibilities Include: • Provide leadership and oversight of research and Extension activities of SCWRC personnel • Develop and implement a comprehensive SCWRC strategic plan, aligning with college and University priorities • Acquire external and internal funding to support research and Extension projects • Mentor faculty/staff and provide vision and guidance for research initiatives • Establish a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising • Improve and expand the SCWRC infrastructure and project guidance • Manage the SCWRC's daily operation, budget, facilities, and resources • Provide supervision of support staff • Foster a culture of collegiality, inclusion, and collaborative engagement among students, staff, and faculty • Attend the annual NIWR Director's Meeting in Washington, DC, and meet with South Carolina congressional delegation regarding NIWR WRRA reauthorization and appropriation requests
Qualifications
Clemson University seeks a strategic, visionary leader to lead the SCWRC. The successful candidate will have extensive (10+ years) experience in a premier academic setting, and/or demonstrated leadership in running a similar government or non-governmental Center and shall serve as a strong advocate for faculty, staff, and students. The candidate will also have demonstrated accomplishments, impacts, and a programmatic vision relevant to the research and Extension programs at the SCWRC.
Additional Desired Qualifications Include:
• Influential leadership skills, including supervisory and budgetary experience
• Ability to build support for initiatives through engagement with stakeholders (e.g., SCDES, SCDNR, SCDA, SC Farm Bureau, USDA-NRCS, SCOR, USGS , USACE, SC Sea Grant, county and regional governments, water and wastewater utilities, conservation districts, non-profits, industry, etc.)
• Excellent scholarship and grantsmanship track record
• Strong communication skills and capacity to inspire others
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and to building a cohesive working environment
• Understanding of fundamental and applied research opportunities across the range of water disciplines represented within the SCWRC
• Demonstrated commitment to research and/or Extension as illustrated by achievements in grants, scholarship and academic reputation in the field
• Exemplary mentoring skills that encourage faculty to achieve their highest potential
• Ability to create and maintain appropriate alliances with diverse stakeholders
Education
The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in a water-related discipline and achieved a record of scholarly activity warranting appointment at a tenured rank in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University.
Application Instructions
Please apply at the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/190012.
For full consideration, please apply by 31 August 2026 . This position will be posted until it is filled.
Applications should include 1) a detailed curriculum vitae, 2) a letter of interest that addresses the requirements described above and the applicant's motivation to apply, 3) a statement of vision (2-page max) for the Executive Director role at the SCWRC, including leadership style and values, and 4) names, titles, and contact information for at least three references.
All application materials are required to be submitted electronically via Interfolio at: https://apply.interfolio.com/190012.
Inquiries and nominations can be submitted confidentially to Greg Yarrow (gyarrow@clemson.edu).
For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/190012
Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.
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Organization
Working at Clemson University
Clemson is a dynamic research university located in Upstate South Carolina at the center of the booming I-85 corridor between Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. One of the nation’s most selective public research universities according to U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Clemson University is the school of choice among top students in South Carolina and is increasingly competitive for the best students in the region and the nation. More than 17,100 students select from 70 undergraduate and 100 graduate degree programs through five academic colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and Behavioral Science; Engineering and Science; and Health, Education and Human Development.
Clemson’s transformation into a leading research institution — currently attracting in excess of $140 million in externally funded research and sponsored program awards per year — is based upon an academic plan that identifies eight emphasis areas in which the University has opportunities to increase education and research, to align with South Carolina’s economic development needs and to draw upon faculty strengths. Emphasis areas include automotive and transportation technology, advanced materials, biotechnology and biomedical sciences, leadership and entrepreneurship, sustainable environment, information and communication technology, family and community living, and general education.
Major economic development initiatives that have emerged from the academic plan include the Clemson International Center for Automotive Research — a 250-acre campus in Greenville, which has generated more than $225 million in public and private commitments in just four years; an advanced materials initiative at the Clemson Research Park, which includes a new LEED Silver-certified facility; and the South Carolina Health Sciences Collaborative — an initiative of the state’s three research universities and major health-care systems.
As the state’s land-grant university, Clemson reaches out to citizens, communities and businesses all over South Carolina. The Public Service Activities division includes the county-based Cooperative Extension Service, five off-campus research and education centers through the Clemson University Experiment Station and critical regulatory responsibilities for plant and animal health.
The University boasts a 1,400-acre campus on the shores of Lake Hartwell within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounding the campus are 18,000 acres of University farms and woodlands devoted to research. A warm campus environment, great weather and recreational activities offered by proximity to both the natural surroundings and large cities are part of the Clemson Experience.
Points of interest at Clemson include the following:
The Clemson Conference Center and Inn is a state-of-the-art facility for symposia, meetings, seminars and special events. The complex includes the Madren Continuing Education and Conference Center, the Walker Golf Course and the Martin Inn.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden, a 295-acre public garden, features several thousand varieties of ornamental plants and a unique collection of nature-based sculptures.
The Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts brings an exciting array of concert, theater, dance, comedy and other live performances to the community.
The Robert Campbell Geology Museum at the Botanical Garden displays meteorites, minerals, dinosaur fossils and the largest faceted-stone collection in the Southeast.
The T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena is a showplace for livestock activities in the state and has hosted horse and livestock shows, rodeos, sales, 4-H activities, educational programs, and industrial and agricultural exhibitions.
Fort Hill, the home of John C. Calhoun and later of his son-in-law, University founder Thomas Green Clemson, is a registered National Historic Landmark located in the center of campus.
The Class of 1944 Visitors Center is the front door to Clemson — a friendly place to get tours, information, assistance and an introduction to this beautiful, historic university and community.
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