Department Chair - Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Location:
Clemson, SC
Open Date:
Jan 30, 2024
Description: Applications are sought for the position of Chair of the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (EEES) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (SCEEES) at Clemson University. Candidates for the position must have earned a doctorate in one of the main areas of EEES (Environmental Engineering and Science, Biosystems Engineering, or Earth Sciences) or a closely related field, an outstanding record of scholarly research and publications, experience with a diversified base of externally funded research, a commitment to excellence in teaching, the ability to recruit and mentor a diverse group of talent, and demonstration of strong leadership and communication skills. Qualified candidates will seek a primary tenured appointment at the rank of Professor within the SCEEES.
In the spring of 2021, the Clemson University Board of Trustees approved merging the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences and the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering into the Academic Unit to be known as the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. This change is to better position Clemson University to build and promote impactful research and educational experiences, while allowing a larger platform to contribute to national policy decisions regarding the built and natural environments.
The EEES Department includes Ph.D. programs in Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences and in Biosystems Engineering; M.S. programs in Environmental Engineering and Science (including the Environmental Health Physics focus area, accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET), Biosystems Engineering, and Hydrogeology; and B.S. programs in Environmental Engineering and Biosystems Engineering (both accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET), and a B.S. program in Geology.
There are currently 62 faculty members in the SCEEES, of whom 34 are assigned to the EEES Department. Enrollment in EEES includes 163 undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and 77 graduate students. Nine administrative and technical staff members provide excellent support to the EEES Department. Additional information about the SCEEES and the EEES Department can be found at:
Clemson is a Carnegie "Very High Research Activity" (R1) University and is located on the shores of Lake Hartwell in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, combining excellent cost-of-living with accessible work-life-family balance. Clemson enrolls over 27,000 students, including over 5,000 ethnic minorities and 1,500 international students.
Qualifications: The following criteria will be used for the search for the Department Chair.
A leader with both a national and international reputation and an appropriate doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to Environmental Engineering and Science, Biosystems Engineering, or Geology; Significant leadership and administrative experience in supervising, mentoring, facilitating the tenure-promotion process, recruiting faculty and staff, and building educational and research programs; Exemplary record as an educator, researcher, and scholar; A vision for leadership in education, scholarship, and research for the department of EEES. Leadership The Department Chair will provide overall leadership for the department to educate and mentor students and to guide faculty and staff; contribute to the annual evaluation of the faculty and their tenure-promotion process; establish departmental committees, advisory board(s) and other key departmental policies. The successful candidate will lead day-to-day operations and financial administration of the Department. The successful candidate will also assume the role of Associate Director of the School. In this role, the successful candidate will join the School's Leadership team and work closely with the School Director to advance the School's vision and mission.
Academics The Department Chair will provide leadership and coordination on all academic matters such as curriculum processes, working with faculty to design and develop appropriate curricular offerings, building on the foundation of the current programs and developing new innovative educational experiences that will leverage the assets of the School and yield the greatest impact on student outcomes and success.
Research The Department Chair will provide leadership for high impact, cross-disciplinary research that will connect a multitude of stakeholders across and beyond the university.
Outreach and Engagement The Department Chair will engage with various internal and external stakeholders to position the department for maximum visibility and impact.
Development The Department Chair, working closely with the School Director and the Development team, will pursue appropriate philanthropic opportunities with individuals and corporate partners in support of scholarships, professorships, and gift opportunities for facilities and equipment.
Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a current curriculum vitae, cover letter, vision statement for the EEES Department, and contact information for five references. Application materials should be submitted electronically at the following Web link:
Application materials must be received by March 15, 2024 to receive full consideration, although the search will remain open until the position is filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.
