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 starting date of approximately June 1, 2027 or sooner as agreed upon by the dean and finalist. The Department Head is a tenured 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.
Anticipated hiring range:
- $175,000 - $185,000 at Full Professor rank
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.
Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Plant Sciences (PLSC) Department is a major academic unit within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). The department is comprised of a department head, 7 tenure line faculty, 7 full-time and part-time lecturers, 7 office and technical staff, approximately 250 undergraduate students, and approximately 20 graduate students, The facilities associated with PLSC include a brand-new 20,000 square foot Plant Sciences Complex ; a 16-acre Horticulture Unit consisting of 40,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space; extensive outside production and display areas; 7,500 square feet of shade houses and a 5-acre Mediterranean plant arboretum. The Department's Crops Unit includes 70 acres of citrus, avocado, grape, deciduous fruit tree, and berry production and 35 acres of annual vegetable and forage crop production, of which 11 acres are certified organic. In addition to departmental resources, members of the PLSC department regularly collaborate with a variety of University centers and other Departments on interdisciplinary research and teaching. These include the Strawberry Center, the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, and the Irrigation Technology Research Center. The Bioresources Agricultural Engineering, Biological Sciences, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Science are examples of other campus departments with whom the PLSC department frequently collaborates.
The Department offers the Plant Sciences major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Within this major are three concentrations: Environmental Horticulture Science, Fruit and Crop Science, and Plant Protection Science. The Department also offers a Master of Science in Agriculture degree with three specialization options: Crop Science, Environmental Horticultural Science, and Plant Protection Science.
HOW TO APPLY Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by October 26, 2026 for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach the following:
A cover letter providing some detail of applicant's qualifications and interest in the position Resume/CV Unofficial transcripts of the highest degree Statement of philosophy on leadership and management of an academic department Statement of goals and plans for research Universal Success Statement (see prompt below) At least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application *Universal Student Success Statement Prompt - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.
Cal Poly's ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponso
