WINE AND VITICULTURE DEPARTMENT HEAD POSITION

Department Head, Wine and Viticulture Department/Tenure-Track Instructional Faculty Position at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA. Seeking a nationally or internationally recognized individual to provide strong academic vision and leadership and coordinate long-range strategic planning. The department head reports to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. The WVIT department head position is a 12-month assignment beginning September 1, 2015. 

Responsibilities will include:

1. Administration of academic programs, including management and evaluation of, instructional, technical and administrative support staff, and upon earning tenure, participate in faculty evaluations
2. Curriculum management, review and development
3. Coordination of facility management and development
4. Formulation and implementation of strategic plans and budgets in consultation with administration, faculty and industry
5. Generation of resources through grants, gifts and donations
6. Fostering alumni and industry relations. The Department Head also oversees the pilot winery and on-campus vineyards and will be expected to teach in the area of their expertise and advise students. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Minimum qualifications include:
A PhD in Viticulture, Horticulture, Plant Physiology, Botany, Enology, Food Science, Microbiology, Business, or other related field; extensive knowledge of the global grape and wine industry; demonstrated administrative and budget management abilities; evidence of strong leadership and effective personnel management skills; evidence of ability to develop external financial resources for the support of teaching and research; effective verbal and written communication skills; effective interpersonal skills; and a demonstrated commitment to and involvement with the science and practice of wine and viticulture. Academic administrative experience and prior experience working in the wine industry preferred. Evidence of university-level teaching and scholarly activities to merit appointment to the rank of full professor is required. Ability to accommodate frequent travel in California with occasional out of state travel.

Cal Poly is at the center of the Central Coast wine-grape growing region, extending from the Salinas Valley in Monterey County to the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. This region encompasses over 100,000 vineyard acres and some 350 bonded wineries, and contributes over $2 billion to the local and state economies. The Wine and Viticulture Program was established in 2004, and provides opportunities for students to study viticulture, enology and/or wine business. Within the program is a pilot winery and on-campus vineyards, for purposes of teaching, research and student learning. A new fermentation center is planned and will include a winery, research and instructional space. Faculty are active in teaching, research and other professional activities, and may serve as thesis advisors for students working toward a Master of Science in Agriculture. The wine and viticulture department has a strong industry advisory council which supports the program. The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) is the fourth largest undergraduate agriculture program in the nation. It has 3,900 students in 16 programs. Cal Poly manages ten thousand acres of agricultural land, with 6,000 acres are available for agriculture instruction, complementing Cal Poly’s “learn by doing” teaching philosophy.

To apply, please visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG, complete the required on-line faculty application and apply to requisition #103541. Review Begin Date: April 17, 2015.