Agriculture Faculty and Program Leader

POSITION: Agriculture Faculty and Program Leader

DEPARTMENT: Agriculture

TYPE: Full-Time Faculty

START DATE: June 2025

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Provide program leadership for Agriculture and Agriculture-related programs, through industry outreach, collaboration, and academic service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to a Reformed Biblical perspective and the mission of Dordt University, along with the ability to articulate how this Christian perspective shapes the teaching and practice of agriculture.
• Assist in developing and implementing a vision for the agriculture programs and curricular degree options at Dordt University through collaboration with stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Collaborate with agricultural and industry partners to ensure the agriculture programs deliver appropriate goals and outcomes for student learning.
• Provide leadership for the Agricultural Advisory Council and other related external advisory teams
• Teach agriculture courses related to the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Develop strategies with the agriculture department for recruiting students and growing the program, to establish Dordt University as the leading Christian University for agriculture.
• Establish relationships with agriculture partners, agribusiness leaders, agriculture non-profits, and agricultural graduate schools to strengthen placement and internship opportunities for Dordt’s agriculture, agriculture service technology, agri-business, and agriculture operations and management students.
• Participate as a full team member in department and university administrative tasks, including student recruiting and advising, curriculum development and program review, assessment, committee assignments, and accreditation processes.
• Participate in the Core program and campus life of Dordt University.
• Develop and implement a personal annual contribution and professional development plan consistent with university and departmental goals; use the plan as part of regular self-assessment.
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Express an active Christian commitment, which shall include affiliation with a local, confessionally Reformed congregation that actively supports the mission of Dordt University.
• Personal endorsement of The Educational Task of Dordt University and commitment to the curricular design set forth in The Educational Framework of Dordt University .
• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture or agricultural leadership with professional experience, and/or advanced degrees or certification in agriculture or a related field.
• Expertise in areas such as plant science, agronomy, farm management and operations, agribusiness, or animal science.
• Experience in providing professional development or educating others is desired. A commitment to excellence in college-level teaching, including curriculum design, classroom management, and ongoing student learning assessment is required.
• Ability to foster and develop industrial partnerships in agriculture and agri-business.
• Oral and written communication skills and interpersonal abilities that enable effective collaboration with students, faculty and staff, community members, and other professionals.
Prospective members of the Dordt University community are expected to agree with its sexuality, gender identity, and sexual conduct policy, which can be found on the Dordt University website. (Contact the Academic Affairs Office if you need additional information).

Participating in the educational task of Dordt University is to be understood as a calling. When disciples of Christ hear and accept God’s call to participate in the task of Dordt University, they occupy a variety of offices. Participating in the work of development and sharing insight is not merely an occupation or a means to gain financial security or self-esteem, but a task to which God calls us. When this sense of office consciousness is lost, we lose the essential meaning of our work. Therefore, Dordt University seeks to develop and foster an atmosphere where all office-bearers can flourish in fulfilling the calling of their office (from the Educational Task of Dordt University found at: https://www.dordt.edu/about-dordt/publications/educational-task-and-framework ).