Leadership Search: Head of Soil, Water, and Climate

June 02, 2022
An aerial photo of the water tower on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota

The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota is currently seeking a Department Head with Faculty Rank.  

How to Apply 

See the full position description and apply on the University of Minnesota Job Application System (search for Position #348428).

External Candidates Internal Candidates

For best consideration, please apply before September 16, 2022 when review will begin.

Department Overview

The mission of the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (SWAC) is to advance the understanding of Earth system processes and the interaction among land, atmosphere, and water. Through research, teaching, and outreach we seek to: Improve and protect the quality of soil, air, and water resources in natural and managed ecosystems; enhance agricultural and forest productivity and sustainability; predict and mitigate impacts of environmental and climate change on ecosystems and society; and provide science-based knowledge for improved decision making and a better informed citizenry. 

Ongoing collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts in basic and applied research have enabled the faculty in SWAC to build a strong foundation of varied science in teaching, research, and extension. Faculty in the Department are nationally and internationally recognized for conducting research in areas including: Precision Agriculture, Environmental Microbiology, Biogeochemistry, Pedology, Contaminant Hydrology and Water Quality, Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions, Atmospheric Chemistry, Global Climate Change, Nutrient Management, Agricultural Water Management and Soil Health. Exemplary education, based on research, is a departmental priority and faculty offer a rich and diverse portfolio of undergraduate and graduate courses, serving students within the Department and across the College and University through in-person and online delivery. 

The Department is a main contributor to the multi-departmental undergraduate major Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM) servicing over 300 students and hosts four minors including, Climatology, Soil Science, Water Science, and International Agriculture. The Department's main graduate program, Land and Atmospheric Science (LAAS) delivers excellence in teaching, research, and mentoring that provides an enriching graduate experience. Graduates move on to careers in related industries, public agencies, academia, and private consulting. The SWAC Department is home to the Precision Agriculture Center and works closely with the Water Resource Center. The department also has a strong association with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and with the Soil Testing Laboratory and Research Analytical Laboratory. Adjunct faculty from the USDA-ARS Soil & Water Management Unit, located on campus, support the mission of the Department. A dedicated and professional team supports the Department's administrative, financial, and communication functions. 

Position Overview

CFANS at the University of Minnesota invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Department Head with Faculty Rank for the Department of Soil, Water and Climate. The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The Head is responsible for being a collaborative member of the Collegiate leadership team and to bring a solution-driven perspective to all collegiate and departmental strategies and goals. 

The Department Head is the lead academic and strategic officer for a department who works to recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty, graduate students, and academic staff in a set of related disciplines in addition to serving as the administrative leader of departmental programs. In collaboration with college support divisions, the department Head has responsibility for planning, fiscal management, personnel, and facilities. The Head actively supports efforts to secure sufficient resources for the department to strengthen and broaden its mission, nurture cross-functional relations at the University, and advance its strong international reputation.