Department Chair, Department of Environmental Science and Policy

Chair, Department of Environmental Science and Policy (Tenure Track)The George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), is seeking an energetic and experienced individual for a full-time, tenure track position at the Associate or Full Professor level beginning in August 2023. We are interested in individuals who have substantial experience in administering academic programs and have a strong record of teaching, grantsmanship, and publications. The successful applicant should demonstrate the ability to lead faculty in the formulation and implementation of the department's vision and goals. The Chair supervises all departmental instructional and fiscal operations, supervises departmental staff, and conducts annual evaluations of faculty and staff. The Chair is also expected to help secure resources from both internal and external sources to help advance departmental goals in research and teaching, including the funding of graduate students. The initial appointment will be for four years and is renewable after a review.About Us:The Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) is well known for its truly interdisciplinary faculty focused on environmental and social sciences. ESP's tenured, tenure-track, and term faculty actively engage in both research and teaching, a unique feature that supports and enriches the Department's interdisciplinary research collaborations and academic programs. ESP also includes additional graduate program faculty from across the university and numerous environmental professionals. The following degrees are awarded by ESP: B.S. in Environmental Science, B.A. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (in collaboration with the School of Integrative Studies), M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, and Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy. The Department has a strong commitment to the achievement of excellence among its faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates who will enrich our academic and culturally inclusive environment. We are also deeply committed to increasing diversity and encourage applications from women and minority scholars.The Department is housed in two locations: the Fairfax Campus and the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC). The Chair's office is located in David King Hall on the Fairfax Campus. This campus is home to all of the Social Science and Policy-oriented faculty, as well as some of the natural science faculty. Several teaching and research laboratories are also found in David King Hall. The Fairfax campus is home to many faculty from other departments who collaborate with the ESP Department. PEREC is located on the tidal Occoquan River in the Belmont Bay section of Woodbridge, Virginia, about 30 minutes from Mason's Fairfax Campus. Led by ESP faculty, PEREC has an excellent infrastructure of research labs, teaching labs, support rooms, and offices with a team of nine faculty researchers from three College of Science (COS) Departments: five from ESP, two from Chemistry and Biochemistry, and two from Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences. The team has numerous collaborative research projects including the 38-year Gunston Cove ecosystem study and the more recent ecosystem study at Hunting Creek.For more information on ESP, visit us online at http://esp.gmu.eduFor more information on PEREC, visit us online at http://perec.science.gmu.eduGeorge Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is the largest, most diverse, and most innovative public university in Virginia with more than 38,000 students from all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington, D.C . metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation's capital.Statement on Diversity: George Mason University's College of Science (COS) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.For more information on the College of Science, visit us online at http://science.gmu.eduResponsibilities/Duties:Lead in enhancing and expanding the vision of the department, college, and university;Provide leadership in curriculum and pedagogy revitalization;Elevate the status and visibility of the department among peer institutions;Continue to promote stability and growth of the undergraduate program;Provide a strategic framework for graduate recruitment and retention;Participate in college and university level committees to further the goals of the department and the college;Promote a culture of diversity, inclusivity and civility in the student body, faculty, and staff of the department;Supervise and support all ESP faculty and staff in a fair, active, and transparent manner;Manage the budget of the department including working with the development office to increase external fundraising;Frame and implement sustainability goals across campus in collaboration with other campus units;Teach two courses per academic year, either graduate, undergraduate, or both;Develop and fund an active research program;Advise graduate students.Required Qualifications:Terminal degree in a discipline in environmental science, environmental policy, or related specialization;Demonstrated excellence in teaching and curriculum development;Demonstrated ability and experience in leadership roles;Strong leadership, managerial, and organizational skills;Excellent oral and written communication skills in a variety of formats for a diversity of audiences.Preferred Qualifications:Proven experience managing higher educational programs;Established genuine excellence in their academic field.Review of applications will begin as soon as they are submitted and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 1, 2022.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/55320, complete and submit the online application, including the following:Cover letter, including a vision for how the candidate plans to integrate with and lead the department for the future;CV;Statement of administrative experience and management philosophy (2 pages as Other Doc);Summary of past, current, and anticipated future research (2-3 pages as Other Doc);Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (2 pages);Names, affiliations, and email addresses of professional references (at least three from academic institutions, no more than five total). Letters will be requested for the finalists;Diversity statement (please indicate past, present, and anticipated activities for promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity) (1-2 pages as Other Doc).

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."