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The Instructor of Agriculture will provide high-quality instruction, student mentoring, and academic support while advancing departmental initiatives related to curriculum development, workforce preparation, experiential learning, and industry engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to student-centered teaching and advising, fostering an engaging learning environment that promotes student success, professional growth, and career readiness.

This position is intentionally broad in scope to provide instructional flexibility across multiple agricultural disciplines, including agronomy, agricultural business, agricultural communication, agricultural education, agricultural leadership, and animal science. The successful candidate will help strengthen existing academic programs while contributing to the development of innovative educational pathways, certificates, micro-credentials, and workforce-focused learning opportunities that align with industry needs.

Teaching responsibilities will be assigned based on departmental needs and the successful candidate's qualifications, expertise, and professional experience. The position requires strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and community stakeholders; and a demonstrated commitment to experiential learning, applied education, and meaningful engagement with the agricultural industry. Through classroom instruction, mentorship, and outreach, the instructor will play an important role in preparing students for successful careers and leadership within the agricultural and natural resource industries.

Primary Responsibilities

- Teaching and Student Success

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in assigned agricultural disciplines.
• Deliver instruction in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats.
• Maintain high standards of teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
• Advise and mentor students regarding academic and career goals.
• Participate in curriculum assessment and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives.

- Curriculum Development

• Assist with development and revision of agricultural curricula.
• Support expansion of professional certificates and micro-credential programs.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary course development and innovative instructional models.
• Help restore and rotate specialized agronomy and agricultural business courses as program needs dictate.

- Industry and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with agricultural industry partners, producers, agencies, and organizations.
• Support experiential learning opportunities including internships, applied projects, and workforce development activities.
• Participate in outreach activities that enhance departmental visibility and student opportunities.
• Assist with Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) initiatives and workforce training programs.

- Service and Collaboration

• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to support academic and workforce development initiatives.
• Engage with advisory boards and external stakeholders to ensure program relevance and responsiveness to industry needs.

Potential Teaching Areas, depending upon qualifications and departmental needs, teaching assignments may include courses such as:

Agronomy and Crop Science

• Grain Grading and Seed Analysis
• Crop Physiology
• Irrigation
• Soil Science
• Crop Improvement
• Soil Classification and Management

Agricultural Business

• Agricultural Marketing
• Farm and Ranch Management
• Agricultural Economics
• Agribusiness Management
• Agricultural Finance

Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communication

• Agricultural Communications and Public Relations
• Agricultural Leadership
• Youth Development
• Extension and Outreach Education
• Workforce Development

Animal Science

• Introductory Animal Science
• Livestock Production and Management
• Animal Industry Applications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Agriculture or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated ability to teach in two or more agricultural disciplines relevant to departmental needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in Agriculture or a closely related discipline.
• Professional experience within the agricultural industry.
• Teaching experience at the collegiate level.
• Experience with online instruction and course development.
• Experience in agricultural leadership, communications, workforce development, extension, or outreach programming.
• Experience developing certificates, workforce training programs, or micro-credentials.
• Evidence of collaboration across disciplines and organizations.

Appointment: August 2026. This is a full-time, nine-month Instructor position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience..

Priority Deadline: June 28, 2026. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Qualified candidates must submit the following documents:

• Cover letter describing your qualifications and successes with respect to the listed qualifications
• CV
• Contact information for three professional references

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Michael D. Woods, PhD.

Email: mdwoods3@fhsu.edu

Phone: (785) 628-4196

Why Join FHSU Agriculture?

At Fort Hays State University, agriculture faculty have the opportunity to make a direct impact on students, communities, and the future of the agricultural industry. Faculty enjoy a collaborative environment, strong industry partnerships, growing academic programs, and opportunities to help shape innovative initiatives in workforce development, leadership education, agribusiness, agronomy, and agricultural technology.

If you are passionate about teaching, mentoring students, and advancing the future of agriculture through innovation and collaboration, we encourage you to apply.

Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from individuals committed to excellence, innovation, and student success.

Shape the Future of Agriculture at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) invites applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible Instructor of Agriculture position within the Department of Agriculture. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative and student-centered educator who is passionate about preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals, leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic and growing department committed to experiential learning, workforce development, industry engagement, and applied scholarship. This position offers the opportunity to contribute across multiple agricultural disciplines while helping expand innovative educational pathways, certificates, and micro-credentials that address emerging workforce needs.

We seek an individual who values collaboration, embraces teaching excellence, and is committed to fostering student success in both traditional and online learning environments. The successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening agricultural education, leadership development, agribusiness, agronomy, and interdisciplinary programming while supporting the department's strategic growth initiatives.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination: FHSU is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, employment, services, and activities in compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. FHSU prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its programs, activities, admissions, or employment.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.