*Assistant/Associate Professor, Extension Range Specialist* *Department of Natural Resource Management*
*South Dakota State University* The Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) at South Dakota State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month, 100% Extension Range Specialist position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, beginning preferably by early spring 2018. We seek a talented collaborative colleague who will work with other Faculty and Extension Field Specialists to develop and execute Extension programs that contribute to sustainability of rangelands and contiguous ecosystems throughout South Dakota and beyond, and lead to conservation and improvement in natural resource management in the region. SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. South Dakota State University (SDSU) is a Land-Grant institution with approximately 12,700 students in Brookings, SD. The academic home of this appointment will be the Department of Natural Resource Management ( www.sdstate.edu/natural-resource-management), which is housed within the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. The department hosts five undergraduate programs: Rangeland Ecology and Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Conservation Planning and Park Management, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, in addition to M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs in Biological Sciences and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. There are approximately 300 undergraduates and 60 graduate students within the department. The department is composed of an active and diverse faculty with expertise to administer these programs. There are currently 22 faculty members in the Department of Natural Resource Management, including two faculty in the Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence, three USGS Cooperative Research Unit personnel and three Extension Field Specialists located throughout the state. This position will be located at the SDSU West River Ag Center (WRAC), in Rapid City, SD. There are currently six faculty from the departments of Natural Resource Management, Animal Science, and Plant Science at the SDSU WRAC. The SDSU WRAC faculty and staff work in many multidisciplinary, collaborative teams to address the natural resource and agricultural resource needs of western SD and the state. SDSU WRAC personnel work closely with Extension Field Specialists located in regional centers in Rapid City, western SD, and statewide to provide relevant research and programming to the citizens of SD. Located in the foothills of the scenic Black Hills mountain range, Rapid City is the State's second largest city, with a population of approximately 68,000. The city has outstanding K-12 schools, major medical facilities, parks, and cultural, outdoor, and tourist amenities. Rapid City is located on the western border of South Dakota; it is 400 miles west of the SDSU main campus in Brookings. There are two SDSU field stations located in the western region of South Dakota: (1) Cottonwood Range and Livestock Field Station, located near Wall, is 2,640 acres of predominantly native range; and (2) Antelope Range and Livestock Research Station, located near Buffalo, is the largest of SDSU’s research stations at 8,300 acres of mostly native rangeland. Both stations have beef herds to support integrated range and beef cow research and outreach efforts. *RESPONSIBILITIES:* Development of State and Regional Extension programs focusing on rangeland management and natural resource sustainability; statewide responsibilities, with greater emphasis on the extensive rangelands of western SD; develop new and expand existing collaborations with university and agency personnel in the region, including those in neighboring states (NE, WY, MT, and ND); develop, mentor, and facilitate stakeholder-learning communities that advocate and enable positive change in and sustainability of rangelands and other natural resources; contribute to research leading to new knowledge that supports applied rangeland ecology, including grazing management, noxious weed management, and other rangeland topics; contribute to grants and contracts received from public, NGO, and private sources, and author/co-author articles published in indexed peer-reviewed national/international research and Extension journals. The candidate is also expected to contribute science-based articles, webinars, and other materials to iGrow, the SDSU Extension online teaching platform. Collaborative and interdisciplinary Extension and research efforts are expected. *MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:* Earned PhD Degree in Range Science or a closely related field completed by date of application with expertise in range management applications including grazing systems, range improvements, range plants, and range ecology; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences; demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work as a contributing team member; demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs; and demonstrated ability or potential to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials and direct effective programs. Must have valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and must be willing to travel. *PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:* Post-doctoral training in Range Science or closely related field; an understanding of ranch enterprises and public lands grazing policy; familiarity with Northern Great Plains rangelands and cultivated pastures; experience in Extension programming, especially at the state specialist level; strong team-building skills and potential to manage diverse teams; evidence of grantsmanship and capability to obtain extramural funding; experience implementing and completing research projects; and experience publishing peer-reviewed research and Extension articles. *SALARY:* Commensurate with qualifications. *APPLICATION DEADLINE: * Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by October 30, 2017. *APPLICATION PROCESS:* SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this posting.” The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, a criminal background check. For questions on the position, contact Dr. Patricia S. Johnson at 605-394-2236 or [email protected]. South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
