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Professor and Chair - Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC)
Job no: 539475
Work type: Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60470000 - AG-WILDLIFE ECOLOGY - CONSERV
Classification Title:
Chair & Prof
Classification Minimum Requirements:
Candidates for this faculty rank shall be qualified for the rank of associate professor and, in addition, be a recognized national or international authority or an outstanding teacher in their field or specialization. A candidate for this rank must have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the associate professor level.
Job Description:
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .
Duties and Responsibilities:The Chair of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) Department provides: (1) vision, support and coordination in planning, developing, and implementing departmental programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land-Grant Mission; (2) leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; (3) administration of the department's human and financial resources; and (4) promotion of external funding opportunities. The chair administers state, national, and international programs of the department. The chair fosters shared governance, as outlined in the department bylaws, evaluates faculty and staff performance, and encourages the proactive development of strategic programs. The chair represents departmental and faculty interests with administrators, other departments, and units, and outside agencies, individuals and groups in natural resources, industry, and communities. The chair collaborates with the IFAS Senior Vice President, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, Florida agriculture, citizens of the state of Florida, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.
The next Chair of the WEC Department will have the opportunity to build on the department's historic strengths in global wildlife conservation, fundamental and applied ecological research, human dimensions of wildlife management, and more. The Chair will lead at a pivotal time to position the Department at the forefront of numerous emerging challenges, from the integration of new technologies in ecological research to the development of wildlife conservation solutions in a rapidly changing world. The Department seeks a leader with a Vision to deepen our research relevance and impact, expand internal and external partnerships, grow our extension and engagement footprint, and cultivate a culture that attracts and retains exceptional faculty, staff, and students. Together, we hope to meet the growing demand for science-driven conservation solutions and for graduates prepared to lead in wildlife ecology and conservation.
The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Direct a multidisciplinary academic department engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land-Grant university with faculty, staff, students, and resources located throughout the state, including on main campus and at IFAS Research and Education Centers.
• Show strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student well-being, recruitment, and retention for all academic programs in WEC; foster a culture among faculty of effective teaching and mentoring.
• Show strong commitment to faculty and staff development, recruitment, and retention.
• Maintain and strengthen collaborations and partnerships, particularly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USGS Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, as well as with agencies, NGOs, industry, and community interest groups.
• Maintain shared governance and strong collaborations among state faculty located on the main campus and at the IFAS Research and Education Centers.
• Serve as a bridge between university, faculty, and staff to ensure compliance and effective operations, including continued professional development for self and employees.
• Show commitment to international programs.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experiences and abilities that align with the goals and operational needs of the department, as well as the enthusiasm and skills needed to encourage and support departmental personnel along the path to achieving them.
Background Information: The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation has 25 campus faculty, 5 off-campus faculty, 28 adjunct and affiliate faculty, and 14 staff positions supporting teaching (College of Agriculture), research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), and extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service). Research grants and contracts support another 75 plus technical positions, graduate student stipends, and post-docs. The Department offers programs leading to B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Departmental enrollment is highly selective with approximately 85 WEC-advised graduate students, more than 100 online Wildlife Forensics Sciences and Conservation student majors and 225 undergraduate majors. A strong team of administrative staff members supports the department chair in personnel, fiscal, and operational management of the department.
The Department's mission is to foster education and research using multi-disciplinary approaches for the purpose of understanding, managing, and conserving biodiversity. The intent is to prepare tomorrow's conservation leaders through promoting scholarship, communication, and synthesis of new knowledge. The Department has focused historically on strategies for conserving wildlife and habitats in forest, wetland, coastal, and grassland ecosystems, and has a long and storied history working on wildlife conservation across the globe. The breadth of the Department encompasses several programmatic areas including tropical conservation, conservation biology, invasive species management, landscape ecology, wildlife management, including research on non-game and game species, and the human dimensions of resource management. This multi-disciplinary program is further enhanced by the inclusion of the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit with its research contributions ranging from population to ecosystem ecology. These programs are enriched at the University of Florida by collaboration opportunities among ecological scientists and faculty in aligned disciplines and various centers across the state and internationally.
The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 60,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties. The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation's largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Senior Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
The University of Florida's main campus is located in Gainesville, which is often recognized as one of Florida's most livable cities and one of the best college towns in America. Located in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville maintains a small-town feel, but offers many amenities found in much larger metro areas. With an expanding downtown, a strong cultural arts following and a wide variety of shops and restaurants, world-class medical care and facilities, and relatively low cost of living, greater Gainesville is one of the best places to work, live and play. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience
Required Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in ecological science, wildlife, or related natural resources discipline.
• A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the WEC Department.
• A record of effectively mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded fundamental science and applied research.
• Effective administrative leadership and managerial skills in: defining organizational objectives; developing strategic approaches to planning; managing human, fiscal, and physical resources; motivating people and developing effective teams; facilitating mentoring and retention of new students, staff, and faculty.
• Demonstrated leadership in outreach to and engagement with varied interest groups including industry, agencies, NGOs, community, and others.
• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing and managing entrepreneurial opportunities, private fundraising, grants, and other external funds in support of teaching, research, and extension.
• Demonstrated ability to interact well with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external interest groups at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
• Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by June 24, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
Applications: Individuals wishing to apply must go online to Careers at UF and submit:

• Cover letter stating applicant's interest in the position, qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, previous professional responsibilities and achievements, administrative and management philosophy, and how these relate to the position. The letter should include applicant's general strategy for building and sustaining this department.
• Complete vita (which includes statement of current position and responsibilities).
• Names and contact information of three individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant's qualifications for this position.

Contact Information and Nomination Submission
Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. Please refer to Position 00041867 and forward all nominations to:
Dr. Terrell T. "Red" Baker
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida/IFAS
School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences
PO Box 110410
Gainesville, FL 32611-0410
Telephone: 352.846.0850
Facsimile: 352.392.1707
Electronic Mail: tbakeriii@ufl.edu
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 10 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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