Department Head, Plant Sciences

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 start date of July 31 2026. The Department Head is a 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 candidates qualifications and experience.

Anticipated hiring range:

• $175000 - $185000 at Full Professor rank

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

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.

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 20000 square foot Plant Sciences Complex ; a 16-acre Horticulture Unit consisting of 40000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space; extensive outside production and display areas; 7500 square feet of shade houses and a 5-acre Mediterranean plant arboretum. The Departments 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 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.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

The College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nations premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4100 undergraduates 16 majors five graduate programs and 192 dedicated faculty and staff CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation impact and hands-on learning.

Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10000 acres of cropland pastures orchards vineyards and forests as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex students and faculty work side by side tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food agriculture and the environment.

Discover more at

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by April 13 2026 for full consideration; however applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach the following:

1. 1. A cover letter providing some detail of applicants qualifications and interest in the position
   2. Resume/CV
   3. Unofficial transcripts of the highest degree
   4. Statement of philosophy on leadership and management of an academic department
   5. Statement of goals and plans for research
   6. Universal Success Statement (see prompt below)
   7. 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 Polys 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 sponsorship will be offered.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Benjamin Hoover search committee chair at .