The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking a full-time 12-month Department Head for its Plant Sciences Department (PLSC).

This position has a start date of July 31, 2026. The Department Head is a faculty position and will provide leadership for all academic and administrative functions including instruction, research, and alumni, donor and industry engagement. The Department Head leads a talented team of 7 tenure-line faculty, approximately 7 full-time and part-time lecturers, and 7 office and technical staff , all of whom engage with approximately 250 undergraduate students and approximately 20 graduate students. The Department Head has oversight of and intersection with several specialized teaching and research facilities and ranches, orchards and fields, including a new Plant Sciences Complex , horticulture greenhouses, an arboretum, citrus and avocado groves, conventional and organic fields, and more. This position will provide leadership for the Plant Sciences Department in the following areas:

• Faculty and staff hiring, development, mentoring, and workload assignments
• Advancement and fundraising
• Management of budget, facilities, and departmental resources
• Departmental curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning
• Equal-opportunity, accessibility, and nondiscrimination initiatives that foster a respectful and inclusive academic environment for all

The Cal Poly community promotes a "teacher-scholar model,” which emphasizes scholarly activities and teaching excellence.  The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and potentially graduate courses in the Plant Sciences program. They will be expected to engage in scholarly activities (i.e., research, publishing, presenting, and grant or contract writing). Additional duties will include mentoring students, and participating in University, College, and Departmental committees, service, and other activities. 

Department Head appointments and 12-month assignments are made and continue at the pleasure of the College Dean. This is a tenured position within the Plant Sciences Department. Appointments with tenure shall be made only after an evaluation and recommendation by tenured faculty in the appropriate department. Tenure is given only in the instructional portion of the position, which includes teaching, research, and service. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. in crop science, plant science, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology or a closely related field
• Distinguished record of achievement in Plant Sciences related fields, and qualifications appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor within the department
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership and management of students, faculty, staff, and community, and strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate a respectful, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory learning and working environment for all students, staff, and faculty
• Strong professional record of academic achievement, including publications, grants, presentations, and interdisciplinary projects across the industry
• Strong commitment to, and, demonstrated teaching excellence in a variety of modalities
• A broad-based knowledge of the plant sciences industry in areas such as crop science, horticultural science, entomology, and plant pathology
• Demonstrated experience in collaborative priority setting and decision-making, as well as faculty mentorship and professional development
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out CAFES’ mission through an appropriate combination of teaching, research, and advancement
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources and solve problems with creativity and innovation
• Ability to interact with Plant Sciences stakeholders in developing research and industry initiatives of local, regional, national and global importance
• Evidence of leading institutional advancement and fundraising
• Outstanding written and verbal English communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in successfully allocating, directing, and monitoring annual budgets
• Evidence of working collaboratively with partners including industry, local, state, or federal government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and advisory councils
• Experience in interdisciplinary research and coordinating a center, institute, or research lab
• Familiarity with instructional technology, the science of teaching and learning, and online pedagogy
• A track record of effectiveness in teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and overseeing comprehensive curriculum development
• International experience or the desire to cultivate international partnerships
• Experience working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring, or the community

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is expected that tenure-line faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.