Academic Department Head​/Agricultural & Extension Education

Department Contact: Robert Torres, , rmt

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising

Summary:

We are seeking candidates with an understanding of and appreciation for undergraduate/graduate education, research, and outreach, with a strong commitment to the Land Grant mission.

Position Title: Academic Department Head/Agricultural & Extension Education

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 300400-AGRICULTURAL AND EXTENSION EDUC

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status
:
Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard

Work Schedule:

Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard

Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Faculty recruitment and development; faculty annual evaluation; program development; program review; curriculum development; student recruitment and retention; departmental fiscal management; and secure external funding, fundraising, or partnership development.

The Department Head serves as the chief academic and administrative officer and principal advocate for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the Department Head provides strategic leadership for the department’s teaching, research, Extension, outreach, and service missions while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students.

Leadership and Administration:
The Department Head advances departmental, college, and university priorities; leads strategic planning and organizational improvement; communicates departmental needs and accomplishments; resolves concerns; and uses data to guide decisions and allocate resources. The Department Head also oversees departmental facilities, equipment, technology, and operations.

Academic Programs Success:
The Department Head provides strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate programs, ensuring quality, relevance, and continuous improvement of curricula, instruction, assessment, and experiential learning opportunities. The Department Head oversees faculty and staff workload assignments, promotes the effective allocation of departmental resources, and teaches at least one upper-division or graduate course each academic semester.

Student Recruitment, Engagement, Retention, and Success:
The Department Head leads proactive, data-informed efforts to recruit a diverse and academically prepared student body; strengthen student engagement, belonging, and persistence; and improve retention, degree progression, and graduation rates. Working closely with faculty, advisors, college leadership, and university partners, the Department Head supports effective advising, mentoring, career preparation, and timely intervention for students experiencing academic or personal challenges.

Faculty and Staff Leadership:
The Department Head recruits, supervises, supports, and evaluates faculty and staff in accordance with university policies. Responsibilities include conducting annual evaluations, mentoring faculty through promotion and tenure, supporting professional development, addressing performance or workplace concerns, and administering personnel actions fairly and consistently.

Fiscal and Operational Stewardship:
The Department Head develops and manages departmental budgets, personnel resources, accounts, grants, contracts, and revenue-generating activities in coordination with college personnel. The Department Head ensures that purchasing, contracting, equipment management, and other financial commitments comply with university policies and standards of ethical stewardship.

Research, Extension, and Outreach:
The Department Head champions faculty research agendas; supports the development, funding, implementation, and dissemination of high-quality research; and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and across the college, university, and external partners. The Department Head provides oversight for grants, contracts, research compliance, and related responsibilities; supports initiatives of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture; and develops partnerships responsive to New Mexico’s schools, communities, agricultural industries, and Extension clientele.

Communication and External Relations:
The Department Head serves as an ambassador for the department by building relationships with alumni, donors, schools, government agencies, industry, professional associations, and community organizations. The Department Head supports fundraising, student recruitment, program visibility, and responsible communications consistent with university requirements.

Professional Development:
The Department Head remains…