Head, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

(Open Only to Purdue Faculty)

Purdue University
Forestry and Natural Resources
West Lafayette, Indiana

Responsibilities:
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), College of Agriculture, Purdue University, invites applications for the position of Department Head.  The principal focus of the Head is to provide visionary leadership working with a diverse group of outstanding faculty and staff in pursuit of national and international excellence in research, teaching, and extension.  The Head is responsible for the departmental budget including nation-wide land holdings and endowments.  The Head provides strategic direction to accomplish departmental objectives through maintaining and expanding internal and external support; wise stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources; and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.  The Head also is expected to serve as an advocate, liaison, and departmental representative within the university and with government agencies, lay and professional resource management groups, conservation organizations, related industries, and society at large. The Head is required to serve in-person on campus.

Qualifications:
Candidates must have an earned doctorate in natural resources, environmental science or other relevant field and be eligible for tenure at the rank of Full Professor (must be satisfied by start of appointment).  The Department Head must have demonstrated strong leadership, communication, and administrative abilities, and an appreciation for and commitment to the diverse interests and the teaching, research and extension missions of the department.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated an outstanding record of scholarly achievement, development of external financial resources, and commitment to grow and support a diverse workforce and stakeholder community.

The Opportunity:
The Department is a leader in the natural resource sciences.  It consists of 36 faculty members, 44 administrative and professional staff, 7 clerical/service staff, and 326 undergraduate and 89 graduate students.  The annual budget exceeds $10 million, with over 91% from sponsored research, gifts and endowment funds.  The Department currently has endowments exceeding $97 million that provide substantial resources used to support core departmental missions.  The Department’s interests and expertise are diverse and encompass teaching, research and extension.  Purdue FNR aims to advance knowledge of environmental, social and natural resource sciences associated with the study, conservation, and sustainable management of various ecosystems.  Three undergraduate curricula are offered: aquatic sciences, forestry, and wildlife.  The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program, and the Indiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the Institute for Digital Forestry are examples of federal-state-industry-university partnerships affiliated with the department.  The Department’s current strategic plan can be accessed at Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources Strategic Plan 2021-2026.

The College:
The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in the world in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.  The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do.  The College of Agriculture and Department of Forestry and Natural Resources are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Our leadership, faculty, staff, and students are engaged in many efforts that are consistent with this commitment. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 290 faculty, 2984 undergraduate students, and 690 graduate students.  The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at Strategic Plan.

Application Procedure:
Letters of interest should address the applicant’s vision, leadership and administrative philosophy emphasizing their ability to foster research, teaching, and extension missions of the department, development and international opportunities, and leadership experiences and qualifications; include a complete curriculum vitae and provide the names and contact information of five references. Nominations of outstanding individuals for the position are welcome. Initial nominations and inquiries will be kept confidential; references will be contacted only upon the applicant’s approval. A background check is required for employment in this position. Purdue is an ADVANCE institution.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Cate Hill, Forestry and Natural Resources Head Search Committee Chair, Purdue University. Screening of applicants will begin January 16, 2025 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Questions regarding the position may be sent to Dr. Hill at hillca@purdue.edu or 6-1119.

EEO/AA:
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.