Department Chair, Forestry and Natural Resources

Job Title :

Department Chair, Forestry and Natural Resources

Requisition Number : FE04583

Working Title : Department Chair

Department Name :

81090 : Forestry and Natural Resources

Work Location : Lexington, KY

Type of Position : Faculty

Position Time Status :

Full-Time

Tenure Track Status :

Tenure Track

Required Education :

Ph.D. in forestry, natural resources, or a related field of study encompassed by the Department’s programmatic areas.

Required Related Experience :

Candidates must have a compelling vision for the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources’ role in research, education, and extension and be able to effectively lead and manage an interdisciplinary academic department. Qualifications also include a demonstrated ability to support nationally prominent programs in research, education, or extension. Administrative experience and / or evidence of potential for effective administration and a national reputation for excellent scholarship or extension programming from an academic or other research institution are required. Candidates must also be able to develop and promote constructive relationships with on- and off-campus stakeholders, including forestry and natural resources agencies, alumni, and donors. The Department is especially interested in candidates who will foster the integration, welcoming nature, and excellence of its academic community. Applicants should meet qualifications for faculty appointment at the associate professor / professor rank with tenure in either the Regular, Extension, or Special title series.

Required License / Registration / Certification :

None

Job Summary :

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE), University of Kentucky (UK), seeks a Department Chair to support a shared vision with innovative and skilled administration of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Chair Responsibilities : The UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources operates through successful integration of its three land-grant missions (research, education, and extension) to develop solutions for the critical issues facing forests, wildlife, and natural resources today and in the future. The Chair will facilitate the Department’s efforts to enhance and develop prominence in research and graduate education, foster nationally recognized extension and outreach programs, and provide leadership for its Society of American Foresters (SAF)-accredited forestry undergraduate program. Responsibilities also include recruiting, mentoring, supporting, and evaluating faculty and staff, managing budgets and departmental resources, interacting with external constituencies and partners, promoting departmental development, leading long-term unit planning, and collaborative management of the UK Robinson Forest. The Chair serves as the chief academic officer, administrator and program leader for the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, reporting directly to the M-G CAFE Dean.

Qualifications : Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in forestry, natural resources, or a related field of study encompassed by the Department’s programmatic areas. Candidates must have a compelling vision for the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources’ role in research, education, and extension and be able to effectively lead and manage an interdisciplinary academic department. Qualifications also include a demonstrated ability to support nationally prominent programs in research, education, or extension. Administrative experience and / or evidence of potential for effective administration and a national reputation for excellent scholarship or extension programming from an academic or other research institution are required. Candidates must also be able to develop and promote constructive relationships with on- and off-campus stakeholders, including forestry and natural resources agencies, alumni, and donors. The Department is especially interested in candidates who will foster the integration, welcoming nature, and excellence of its academic community. Applicants should meet qualifications for faculty appointment at the associate professor / professor rank with tenure in either the Regular, Extension, or Special title series.

Department : The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, one of 15 academic units in M-G CAFE, currently has 13 full-time faculty positions, 17 research or extension specialists, at least 12 adjunct or emeritus faculty, and 5 support staff. The Department’s mission is to enhance the ecological, economic, and social benefits of forests and related natural resources to elevate the quality of life for Kentucky and beyond. Department faculty mentor students in the Forest and Natural Resource Sciences graduate program (MS, PhD) and post-doctoral scholars. The Department administers a SAF-accredited forestry BS program, a Wildlife Biology and Management minor, and an Urban and Community Forestry undergraduate certificate program. The Department also shares leadership and teaching responsibility for an interdisciplinary BS program in Natural Resources and Environmental Science housed within M-G CAFE. The Department is home to the Forest Health Research and Education Center (FHC) and fosters collaboration with the co-located scientists from USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station. The Department also plays a significant contributing role to the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. Significant off-campus resources are managed by the Department in support of its land-grant mission including the 15,000-acre Robinson Forest and nationally recognized Wood Utilization Center, both associated with the Robinson Center in eastern Kentucky. For information about the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and the University of Kentucky, see https : / / forestry.ca.uky.edu and https : / / www.uky.edu.

Living in Central Kentucky offers the charm of a small-town lifestyle combined with the convenience of a big city, thanks to its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to metropolitan areas like Louisville and Cincinnati. The area provides employment opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, education, and the horse industry, along with a low cost of living and scenic landscapes including the iconic bluegrass fields. For information about living in Lexington, see https : / / www.lexingtonky.gov. The University generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. Additional optional benefits include dental and vision insurance, supplemental retirement plans, and much more. To learn more about these benefits, click here .

Faculty Position Details : This a department chair appointment with a faculty position in a tenure eligible title series (12-month assignment) at the associate professor / professor rank in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources with the distribution of effort (teaching, extension / service, and / or research) negotiable upon appointment and annually thereafter in compliance with university regulations. The faculty member is expected to teach at the undergraduate and / or graduate levels and may also maintain Extension and / or research programs.

Submission Materials : Please submit the following through the University of Kentucky’s Application Site http : / ukjobs.uky.edu / postings

• . Materials should be addressed to the search committee and review of applications will begin August 22, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Starting date is as early as January 01, 2026.
• Cover Letter that includes a statement of strategic vision, administrative experience, and leadership philosophy, including responsibilities previously described (up to 3 pages);
• Curriculum Vita that includes a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and service (no page limit);
• Statement on research / creative work (up to 1 page);
• Statement on teaching / instruction (up to 1 page);
• Statement on extension / service (up to 1 page);
• Contact information for at least three (3) professional references who can address in their professional judgement your performance in advancing your scholarly field, significance of the venues in which you have been published, the grants you have been involved with, instructional accomplishments, and the service performed. Please also indicate your relationship to the reference. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Questions should be directed to : Dr. Chris Sass, Search Committee Chair, 207N Gray Building; University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, Email : Chris.Sass@uky.edu , Phone : 859 257-3485.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? :

Yes

Open Until Filled : Yes

Our University Community :

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and / or drug screen.