The Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications for Department Head and Professor. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader with a strong record of teaching, scholarship, and service, who can provide strategic direction and foster excellence in education, applied research, Extension outreach, and collaboration. The Department Head will report directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this is a 12-month administrative appointment with an academic rank of Professor.
SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive land-grant university with over $94 million in annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs, and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.
The Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) is a dynamic, collaborative community advancing education, research, and outreach in conservation, management, and restoration to empower people with the knowledge to address environmental and natural resource challenges. With approximately 265 undergraduate students, 60 graduate students, and 30 faculty/staff, the department offers undergraduate programs in Conservations Planning and Park Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences along with M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in Biological Sciences and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Faculty and students engage in innovative applied research and Extension activities for the conservation, restoration, and management of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including fish, wildlife, rangelands, and native plants. Our work scales from applied molecular techniques to integrated socio-ecological systems. NRM houses the C.A. Taylor Herbarium and regularly conducts research and programming at Oak Lake Field Station and Cottonwood Field Station, and outreach through SDState Extension. The department works closely with the SDState hosted South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, which exists in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We offer a collaborative environment where faculty, staff, and students work together to tackle real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact. Learn more at https://www.sdstate.edu/natural-resource-management.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Department Head of Natural Resource Management serves as the academic and administrative leader of the department. The Department Head will:
- Provide strategic leadership for the department’s teaching, research, and Extension programs, ensuring excellence and relevance in all areas;
- Establish goals and objectives, foster collaboration, and build strong relationships within the department, across campus, among local conservation agencies, and with stakeholders throughout the state;
- Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain faculty, staff, and students;
- Develop and manage departmental budgets, coordinate fundraising efforts, and oversee revenue-generating activities;
- Oversee management and maintenance of departmental facilities and resources;
- Facilitate research and intellectual property development opportunities for faculty and students;
- Represent the department in official communications with the college, university, governmental and non-governmental conservation partners, and other external stakeholders; and
- Maintain an active program of teaching, research, and/or scholarship consistent with the rank of Professor for the agreed upon workload percentage, contributing to the department’s academic mission.
SALARY RANGE:
The minimum salary for this position is $175,000 at the Professor rank. This is comprised of a faculty and administrative salary and is contingent upon qualifications and experience.
BENEFITS:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D. Degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Wildlife or Fisheries Science, or a closely related field completed by date of application;
- At least five years of directing/supervising experience;
- Eligible for the rank of Professor at SDState in Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field;
- Productive history in research, teaching, applied management, or Extension outreach;
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Demonstrated organizational and time management skills;
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills;
- Ability to manage personnel and budgets;
- Ability to work as a contributing team member;
- Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational and/or applied management programs;
- Demonstrated ability or potential to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials and direct effective programs;
- Ability to advocate NRM programs to and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and allied industries;
- Show a commitment to and understanding of natural resources, public service, and the university’s mission and goals;
- Authorized to work in the United States, sponsorship is not available for this position; and
- Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and willingness to travel.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Recognized nationally or internationally in field of expertise;
- Demonstrated collaboration in securing resources to support new and/or enhanced departmental programs and services;
- Ability to foster a student-centered environment;
- Familiarity with natural resources practices, challenges, and opportunities in the Midwest and Great Plains regions;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the wildlife conservation model and role of hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists;
- Demonstrated awareness of state and federal policies and laws related to natural resource management;
- Demonstrated awareness of the importance of stakeholder input and primary sources of conservation funding;
- Articulated vision for preparing young professionals for successful careers in applied management and other real-world scenarios;
- Commitment to public service;
- Demonstrated understanding of the Land Grant University philosophy and system.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Full Consideration Deadline: April 6, 2026. Position is open until filled.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
SDState 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 job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This 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 SDState 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, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Angela Pillatzki, at (605) 688-5172 or [email protected].
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing
[email protected]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.
