Griffith Endowed Chair and SD Water Resource Institute Director

Full-time - Senior

Brookings, SD

Educational Services

About the position

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department (ABED) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is excited to announce a new opening for the William Mibra Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources and South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director. We are seeking a scientific leader to collaboratively enhance the region's water resources sector. This role will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of water-related research and outreach initiatives. The successful candidate will provide leadership and conduct research and outreach focused on water issues associated with agricultural production. Located on the SDSU campus in Brookings, South Dakota this position is a 12-month full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure-track faculty position at the associate or full professor of practice level.

Responsibilities

• Lead a research program to evaluate and address water-related issues related to production agriculture at the field and/or watershed scale.
• Provide leadership and establish collaboration or partnerships in water management with graduate students, faculty in other departments and universities, Extension educators and specialists, government agencies, the agricultural community, commodity groups, and agribusinesses to enhance water-related research.
• Secure external funding.
• Present and publish research results.
• Lead the Water Resources Institute outreach mission by interacting with the public to provide answers to water-related questions and creating an Extension outreach program in collaboration with Extension faculty and field specialists.
• Contribute to the University and professional communities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering or closely related discipline.
• A distinguished record of outreach, research, scholarship, and service.
• Ability or potential for leadership of employees.
• Ability to develop a quality research and outreach program to evaluate and address water-related issues related to production agriculture.
• Ability to secure extramural funding, present and publish research results.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with colleagues, staff, students, producer groups, and other clientele.
• Ability to work as a contributing team member with effective interpersonal skills.
• Must have a valid driver's license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire and be willing to travel.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of Midwest or Great Plains agricultural production practices.
• Ability to mobilize internal and external stakeholders into a collaborative, guided water ecosystem.
• Experience in agricultural water issues (such as water management for crop production, water quality including specific pollutants, soil health, water issues related to livestock and related production, or sociological issues related to agricultural water management) or urban water issues (such as stormwater management, green infrastructure, or low-impact development).
• Knowledge of governmental environmental quality policies and statutes.
• Registered or eligible to pursue registration as a Professional Engineer.

Benefits

• Generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching.
• 10 hours of annual leave each month.
• 9.34 hours of sick leave each month.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Relocation benefits available per university's guidelines.
• Medical, dental, and flexible benefits.
• Retirement plans.
• Compensation packages.
• Paid holidays and vacation leave.
• Access to internal and state-sponsored training.
• Reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.