College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Category:	Faculty Positions
Department:	Plant Science
Locations:	Cobleskill, NY
Posted:	May 16, 2022
Closes:	Open Until Filled
Type:	Full-time
	147684

As a premier institution in agriculture and technology, SUNY Cobleskill calls all learners to grow, to sustain, and to renew the world and its citizens. The College acts as a reflection of, and a catalyst for, advancement in our fields. With an emphasis on applied learning and experiential education, SUNY Cobleskill prepares students for successful careers, advanced studies, and engaged citizenship.  

Founded in 1911, SUNY Cobleskill enrolls approximately 2000 students in 55 diverse majors. The campus sets the standard for applied education that extends theory into practice. SUNY Cobleskill is a community characterized by empathy, inclusivity, respect, personal growth, integrity, and a collaborative spirit fostering well-being and sustainable practices. We recognize and celebrate student, faculty and staff achievements. We take pride in our campus and encourage collaboration with our surrounding communities.

Our modern, 902-acre campus features outstanding educational facilities, including an equestrian center, 200-cow dairy facility, cold and warm water fish hatcheries, specialized classrooms and scientific laboratories, two state-of-the-art culinary arts teaching kitchens, child development and childcare centers, and an art gallery and graphic design center. 

Drawing on a rich academic tradition that spans more than 100 years, our purpose remains constant; to educate future entrepreneurs, scientists, thought leaders, artists, educators, and practitioners to contribute to the sustainability of a healthy and prosperous societal existence in concert with a robust environment. 

Job Description:

The Department of Plant Science educates students with diverse interests ranging from Horticulture, Turfgrass, and Landscape to Cannabis, Agriculture, Fermentation Science, Precision Ag and Ag Business.  The department embraces innovative ideas and curriculum, and works to keep programs updated with industry trends.  The department is seeking a full-time, tenure-track innovative individual to teach undergraduate courses related to Controlled Environment Agriculture.

Position Description: 

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) faculty member will lead and grow upper- and lower-level core courses in the Plant Science department's 2- and 4-year programs including Hydroponics, Greenhouse Management and Vegetable Production.  The ideal candidate would also be able to teach irrigation or other controlled environment courses such as vertical farming, soilless production systems, aquaponics, and/or advanced lighting technologies. The faculty member should want to seek to improve the quality of life in urban communities by increasing CEA crop quality, safety, integration of new or improved technologies (e.g., automation, lighting, computer controls, renewable energy) into CEA production systems, and development of best practices for more efficient crop production as well as economic, environmental and social viability.  Collaboration with other departments and programs, including Ag Engineering, Business, Food Service & Ag Management, and Food Systems, will be highly encouraged.  The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is another area for potential collaboration, with partnerships through the Center for Farm and Food Entrepreneurship and the USDA Agriculture Innovation Center.

This position is a 10-month, 100% teaching appointment that will provide opportunities for online, hybrid, intensive summer, and traditional delivery modes.  Most departmental courses include equal instruction time in lecture and applied lab formats.  Opportunities to teach within the Plant Science department can be flexible, based on a core teaching area and a capacity to take on other courses the department offers.

Plant Science faculty are also expected to engage in departmental, institutional, and community service, as well as scholarly activities.  Outside of classroom service opportunities include, academic advisement, program assessment, student recruitment, club advisement, mentoring of undergraduate student research, grantsmanship, faculty-led international programs, and independent research or consulting.  Most importantly, a successful candidate would find strong departmental support for being enthusiastic about creating an educational environment that is innovative and inspiring to students in the classroom.

Skills and Abilities:

Ability to teach in the classroom, laboratory, and small groups:

• Hydroponic systems
• Chemical properties of water and fertilizers
• Chemical and physical aspects of soilless media and soilless systems
• Advanced environmental controls
• Greenhouse automation
• Greenhouse construction and design
• Greenhouse management
• Greenhouse production
• Vegetable and fruit production
• Vertical farming
• Irrigation design and installation
• Food safety standards for produce 
• Remote sensing

The Candidate should be confident in their ability to:

• Read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English.  Multilingual abilities are preferred.
• Organize records and course materials
• Troubleshooting greenhouse/hydroponic systems.
• Develop collaborative and productive relationships with internal and external partners
• Use MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is essential
• Employ course management programs such as Moodle or Blackboard
• Use distance learning and course management platforms such as ZOOM, MS Teams, Blackboard or Moodle.
• During academic contract, weekend and evening hours may be needed to meet campus or program obligations
• Work with minimum daily supervision
• To be trustful and respectful to all students, staff and visitors
• Must pass a background check.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, visually interpret, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master's degree with a minimum of 3-4 years of relevant industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, it is preferred the candidate also have: 

• An earned doctorate or A.B.D. (all but dissertation) related to an area of desired instruction including Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Agriculture/Controlled Environment Engineering or a closely related field
• Experience teaching college-level plant sciences or related courses
• 1-2 years (2,000 to 4,000 hours) of relevant industry experience
• Grant writing experience

Additional Information:

• The position is a full-time, tenure-track, 10-month appointment as a Faculty member.
• Start date is August 2022
• Salary is commensurate with experience.
• This position offers full New York State benefits which are some of the most comprehensive in the country.
• SUNY Cobleskill is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community for our students and employees. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of the background check.
• This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

SUNY Cobleskill is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring equal educational and employment opportunity and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or any other legally protected status.  Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at (518) 255-5514.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.   

SUNY Cobleskill's Tile IX Coordinator is Amanda Clark, who can be contacted via phone at 518-255-5445, email at clarkar@cobleskill.edu, or mailing address of SUNY Cobleskill,  Knapp Hall Room 123, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

Application Instructions:

The application review process will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. 

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Letter of application, addressing qualifications, position responsibilities, and college values  
2. Current CV or Resume
3. Names, emails and phone numbers of at least three professional references, preferably former supervisors 

* To apply you must create an account and apply through this posting.