Position Title: Associate Professor or Professor of Agricultural Irrigation and Water Resources Management

Employee Classification: LC Faculty TT/TN 12m

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 301400-PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: NMSU satellite location

Offsite Location (if applicable): Agricultural Science Center/Artesia

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate on experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  We seek a dynamic scientist and communicator to serve as an innovative and collaborative leader of the NMSU Artesia Agricultural Science Center, including potential administrative responsibilities as Research Director for the Center.

Classification Summary:
A goal of the Agricultural Science Center located in Artesia, New Mexico is to expand research efforts enhancing agricultural irrigation practices aimed at increasing crop productivity and sustainable management of critical water resources, with significant infrastructure investments supporting the Center mission planned in the near future.

Classification Standard Duties:
Scientists affiliated with the Agricultural Science Center at Artesia conduct research, publish and mentor students in diverse areas including agronomy, plant breeding, soil and water management, horticulture, plant pathology, and entomological sciences to enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well¬being of stakeholders in southeastern New Mexico.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Earned Ph.D. in agronomy, irrigation management, water resources, soil science, horticulture, hydrology, or related discipline. The candidate must qualify for tenure and appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of successful grantsmanship, experience conducting independent research, mentoring graduate students and leading/ managing research teams. Candidates should also demonstrate an ability for inclusive engagement with diverse stakeholder communities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Position is located at the Agricultural Science Center in Artesia, New Mexico. Appointment is 100% research with potential responsibilities contributing to the Science Center’s overall research coordination and leadership.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) invites applications for an Agricultural Irrigation and Water Resources Management position at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor (12 month/year, tenure track). We seek a dynamic scientist and communicator to serve as an innovative and collaborative leader of the NMSU Artesia Agricultural Science Center, including potential administrative responsibilities as Research Director for the Center. Currently, scientists affiliated with the Agricultural Science Center at Artesia conduct research, publish and mentor students in diverse areas including agronomy, plant breeding, soil and water management, horticulture, plant pathology, and entomological sciences to enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well¬being of stakeholders in southeastern New Mexico. A goal of the center is to expand research efforts to include efficient agricultural irrigation to improve crop productivity and water use efficiency during drought and deficit irrigation in ways that enhance management of critical water resources. Significant infrastructure investments supporting the Center mission are planned in the near future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will conduct research and provide administrative and research leadership in water management and cropping systems that serve New Mexico and the US southwest. The Artesia Agricultural Science Center will provide candidates excellent opportunities to develop innovative research in their field, and interact with researchers and producers throughout the state to develop and enhance production practices that New Mexico farmers could successfully implement. Research opportunities at the Center include assessing drought-, heat-, and salt tolerant crops that will thrive in arid- and semi-arid environments, and alternative water resources and water management practices. Candidates will have the opportunity to provide leadership and effective research programming on issues related to irrigation design, water conservation, water management, and/or irrigation system management, and alternative water resources. The incumbent is expected to have a broad understanding of concepts related to irrigation management on crop performance, crop evapotranspiration (ET), soil-plant-water relations, precision field irrigation methods, the impacts of irrigation on soil water conservation, soil and groundwater processes and/or hydrological processes related to agriculture, and the fate and transport of nutrients and/or contaminants. Research and program expectations could include investigation of drought tolerant crops, deficit irrigation approaches, development of novel irrigation technology to improve water use efficiency and enhance the sustainability of existing and alternative water resources (produced water) specific to the region, development of best irrigation management practices, assisting growers and producers with irrigation system design and management, and determining irrigation techniques that optimize water use while minimizing ground water contamination. The Center provides opportunities for collaboration across many disciplines and the individual is expected to work effectively with interdisciplinary research teams and be an effective leader and communicator with diverse clientele groups, including private, state, tribal and federal stakeholders. The candidate will also be expected to foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS).

Preferred Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership. Desirable skills and experience include: experience in agronomic and/or horticultural crop irrigation and management, understanding of soil water management and/or hydrological processes related to agriculture in semiarid/arid environments, and an understanding of plant-soil-water relationships.

Special Requirements of the Position
*The following documents are required. Please include on the application:
-Your resume/cv
-Cover letter
-Transcript
-Statement of research interests, goals, and objectives for this position (2 page maximum), and a statement outlining your vision for engagement with diverse stakeholder communities (1 page maximum)

Department Contact:  Kevin Lombard, 505-960-7757

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.