DEAN OF UT EXTENSION

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture invites applications for the Dean of UT Extension. The mission of UT Extension is to help people improve their lives through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge to address issues and needs. We bring research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, youth development, and resource development to Tennessean’s wherever they live and work.

UT Extension makes a difference:

• in agriculture and natural resources programs by increasing farm profitability through new practice and technology adoption
• in family and consumer sciences by improving family health and financial well-being
• in 4-H youth development by teaching life skills and creating meaningful adult / youth partnerships
• by adding value to local products for retail in expanded markets through resource development programs

UT Extension improves the quality of life by:

• promoting healthier families, individuals and communities
• protecting food, environmental and agricultural resources
• building and sustaining personal and family financial skills
• supporting entrepreneurship and small business development
• educating youth in skills and competencies for adult success

UT Extension helps Tennesseans build for the future:

• has served farmers, families, youth and business owners – both rural and urban — since 1914
• currently has more than 700 active partnerships in educational programs
• employs 300 county agents and 100 faculty and specialists
• works face-to-face with more than 3.4 million educational contacts annually

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Dean of The University of Tennessee Extension is administratively responsible to the Vice President for Agriculture, The University of Tennessee.  The Dean, in cooperation with the Extension Administrator at Tennessee State University, is responsible for the comprehensive administration of the statewide Extension system in Tennessee.  Primary responsibilities of the Dean are to provide visionary leadership, administration, and advocacy; promote excellence and innovation in extension educational programs and initiatives that meet needs of the people of Tennessee; promote the recruiting and professional development of a qualified faculty and staff; manage and control finances and assets; provide leadership in securing funds and other resources from multiple sources; nurture productive relationships with a variety of entities across the Institute of Agriculture and the broader University community as well as with the Tennessee Legislature, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Extension services in other states, and other constituents external to The University of Tennessee, such as county governments and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must have an earned terminal degree, and a working knowledge of and appreciation for effective Extension programs in agricultural sciences, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development.  Additionally, candidates must have the communication and public relation skills to communicate effectively both internally and externally, the skills and other personal attributes necessary to motivate and decisively lead UT Extension, the demonstrated ability to administer budgets and manage personnel in an academic environment, and the commitment to and knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. Preference will be given to candidates who have at least one higher education degree in a field of agricultural sciences, natural resources, or family and consumer sciences and have previous work experience with Extension.

Information about programs and personnel of UT Extension is available at http:/utextension.tennessee.edu/

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications should be accompanied by a letter of application, curriculum vitae and names of five or more references.  Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, and review of applications will begin immediately.  Interested candidates are encouraged to submit materials by March 6, 2008 to our executive search firm at the following address:

Gary Daugherty, Senior Vice President
Porsha L. Bush, Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2440
Atlanta, GA 30328
gdaugherty@parkersearch.com
pbush@parkersearch.com
Phone: 770-804-1996 x 106   Fax: 770-804-1917

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.