Position Function:
The Department Head is a full-time administrative position and reports to the Dean of the College of Forest Resources (CFR), the Director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), and the Director of the Mississippi State University Extension Services (MSU-ES). The Head provides visionary leadership for all aspects of the department's current and future activities in teaching, research, extension, and service. The Head is responsible for administrative management and fostering teamwork among faculty, staff and students of the department by using appropriate communications, management methods, and organizational guidelines to develop, enable, implement, and evaluate programs. The Head fosters relationships and communication with other academic and center/institute heads on- and off-campus, other CFR/FWRC/MSU-ES and Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM) administrators and external stakeholders. The Head is responsible for managing appropriated funds, extramural support including gifts, grants, and/or contracts, allocating departmental resources, making timely decisions, delegating responsibility, and motivating faculty and staff toward the accomplishment of defined teaching, research and extension objectives, as well as other scholarly activities on- and off-campus.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University (MSU) seeks to hire a Head of the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts (SBP), within the College of Forest Resources (CFR), the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), and the Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES). MSU represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-granting institutions and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation as an R1-Very High Research Activity University. A National Science Foundation “Top 100” research University, MSU shelters a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society, and values the talents of our distinguished faculty, staff, and student scholars. With nearly 24,000 students and 4,900 faculty and staff, MSU is located in Starkville, MS. Here, a culture of collegiality, community, and engagement is fostered, and we strive to make a difference at the local, state, regional, national, and global levels. We invite you to join MSU as we excel in research, teaching, and service that matters. The mission of the CFR is to foster the management, conservation, and sustainable use of forest, wildlife, and aquatic resources to benefit the people of Mississippi, the nation, and the world. The College currently enrolls 480 undergraduate and 160 graduate students. There are approximately 79 faculty employed in the College. The FWRC is a separately funded unit that receives direct state and federal funds. The mission of the FWRC is to: expand through research the fundamental and applied knowledge upon which forestry, sustainable bioproducts, and wildlife and fisheries disciplines are based; and to assist in conserving, developing, and using the forest, forest products, wildlife, and fisheries resources of Mississippi, the nation, and other countries through research, technology transfer, and other service activities. The MSU-ES is a separately funded unit that receives direct state and federal funds. It provides research-based information, educational programs, and technology transfer to address the issues and needs of the people of Mississippi, enabling them to make informed decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The Department of Sustainable Bioproducts is one of three departments within the CFR, which also includes the Department of Forestry and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture. The Department of Sustainable Bioproducts is a comprehensive department delivering the triad land grant mission of teaching, research, and service through a variety of appointments in the CFR, FWRC, and/or MSU-ES. The department has 21 faculty, 10 staff, 27 graduate students and 14 undergraduates. The department has one undergraduate degree program that is accredited by the Society of Wood Science and Technology with two concentrations. Graduate degree programs include a thesis-based M.S., an online non-thesis M.S., and a dissertation-based Ph.D. program. The department has an operating budget of about $2 million/year and generates an average of $3.6 million/year in extramural funding. The department is also home to the Wood Magic Science Fair, a nationally-recognized outreach program reaching thousands of grade school students each year. Facilities include the R.T. Clapp Forest Products Laboratory and the Franklin Center comprised of laboratories, office buildings and other special-purpose buildings with a combined floor space of more than 125,000 square feet. These buildings house analytical and testing equipment, pilot plants and support facilities required for comprehensive research programs involving wood, wood-based products, and furniture. The Forest Products Laboratory and the Franklin Center are units of MSU's FWRC. The University’s 8244-acre John W. Starr Memorial Forest, the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tombigbee National Forest are located near the University and are used for teaching, research and outreach activities.
Area of Specialization:
Department of Sustainable Bioproducts
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2027.
Tenure Track Status:
Yes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department Head should be able to communicate the teaching, research, and extension/outreach efforts of the department with agencies, clientele, stakeholder groups, civic organizations, professional organizations, and the public. Additionally, the Head has the following duties:
- Develops/maintains knowledge of the core values, concepts, enabling legislation, history and philosophy of the department, college and land-grant university.
- Knows, understands, and adheres to university, state, and federal policies regarding all fiscal matters of the department.
- Develops and maintains communication with faculty/staff/other personnel, governmental organizations (local, state, regional, national), and the private sector on behalf of the clientele, users, and cooperators. a. Establishes and maintains relationships with key decision makers/leaders and communicates regularly to improve department activities. b. Reports regularly to administration. Advocates/negotiates for optimum combinations of human resources, funds, and materials to achieve program missions on a priority basis. c. Reviews/evaluates plans of work, programs, publications and other educational services. Recommends continuation and/or modification to ensure complementary and supportive efforts by all faculty/staff. d. Ensures Extension faculty provide statewide educational programming for dissemination of research-based information, including in-service educational programs for county agents and non-formal teaching programs for stakeholders with appropriate scientific-based assessment and evaluation. e. Regularly solicits stakeholder input regarding curricula, research, Extension, and workforce needs. External stakeholders include industry partners, alumni, professional associations, state agencies, Federal partners, donors, and prospective employers.
- Participates in department head meetings, reports on and represents the department within DAFVM and the university.
- Oversees, in coordination with departmental faculty, development of curricula, standards for formal/nonformal instruction, and accreditation to ensure programmatic excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and Extension education.
- Identifies, supports, and encourages multi- and inter-disciplinary programs that advance knowledge and technology and enhance the development and dissemination of practical applications.
- Encourages teamwork and promotes cooperation/joint programming where appropriate, within the department among division units and across the university.
- Maximizes the use of existing priority planning groups and advisory councils to identify priorities and plan programs.
- Provides planning coordination and support for the optimum operation of the department by obtaining goods/services such as supplies, computer support/services, property control and facilities.
- Manages the staffing process according to MSU policies and procedures, including position development/requisition, application recruitment/review, candidate selection/recommendation and terms of employment.
- Evaluates performance of departmental faculty on-campus and in cooperation with appropriate off campus research and extension center heads. Responsible for justifying the evaluation to the dean(s)/director(s) or their designees.
- Recommends and supports opportunities for employee professional growth/development.
- Participates/engages in scholarly pursuits in the candidate's discipline/area(s) of expertise.
- Works with the Director of FWRC and other university research centers to enhance research; facilitates a departmental research program in applied and fundamental research to meet stakeholder needs and expand knowledge base.
- Interacts with research and Extension centers to facilitate statewide research and Extension efforts.
Minimum Qualifications:
Candidates should have an earned doctorate in an appropriate discipline in forestry, natural resources, or a related field with credentials and experience to qualify for the rank of professor with tenure in a department within the College. The candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with the academic, forestry, natural resources and business communities, industry constituents, and federal partners. A record of successful academic leadership and achievement, including the acquisition of public and private resources to develop and expand strong programs is also required. The successful candidate should have a thorough familiarity and understanding of the land-grant system and the interrelationship between the teaching, research, and Extension programs. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Excellent benefits package available.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse interests and interdisciplinary programs in the department.
- Knowledge of and experience with capital development activities and extramural grantsmanship.
- Demonstrated successful administrative experience appropriate to the required responsibilities.
- Competence in leadership and management and exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and Extension/outreach.
- Experienced in establishing networks with business and industry.
- Achieved national visibility through leadership in academic and professional organizations.
- Willingness to pursue, promote and encourage regional, national and international opportunities for the department.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, partners, consumers, and industry-related constituencies.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate linkages with appropriate local, state, national and international agencies.
- Experience with distance education program development and delivery.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a letter of application that includes a statement of administrative philosophy emphasizing their ability to foster effective academic programs, expand research and commit to the Division’s programs and student enrollment growth. Please include a complete curriculum vitae, including the names, addresses, and phone/email for five references. Initial nominations and inquiries will be kept confidential; references will be contacted only upon the candidate’s approval. Application review will begin immediately and continue until a successful candidate is identified. Nominations of outstanding potential candidates are welcome.
Nominations and inquiries should be sent to:
Steve Bullard, Ad Hoc Search Committee Chair Associate Dean, College of Forest Resources Associate Director, Forest and Wildlife Research Center Misssissippi State University shb3@msstate.edu (662) 325-1379
Apply through Mississippi State University’s PageUp webpage: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Screening Date:
November 24, 2026, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
