Director - UMass Cranberry Station / Extension Associate/Full Professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 521267

Work type: Faculty Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Cranbry Stat Ext

Union: MSP

Categories: Faculty, Agriculture/Extension, College of Natural Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About UMass Cranberry Station

Established in 1910, located 140 miles east of the main campus in the town of East Wareham, Southeastern Massachusetts, the Cranberry Station is administratively linked to the UMass Amherst Campus, positioned within the College of Natural Resources (CNS) and the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE). It is a research and outreach center charged with the mission of enhancing the economic viability of the Massachusetts Cranberry Industry and serving the public welfare by supporting economic development and the protection of the environment. Currently, there are 19 full-time employees including post-doctoral scholars. The Cranberry Station enjoys an active partnership with USDA-ARS (housing 4 scientists on site), cranberry growers and industry. The facility recently received an investment of $8M+ for substantial renovation and new construction; it has 18 acres of cranberry bog for research and production, with 11 acres on site.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts is seeking an experienced scientist, innovative leader and Extension educator to serve in a full-time, 12-month appointment as Extension Associate or Full Professor and Director of the UMass Cranberry Station located in East Wareham, Massachusetts. The Director will provide: 1) vision, support, and coordination in planning, developing and implementing departmental programs in research and extension in accordance with the Land Grant Mission; 2) leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; 3) administration of human, physical and financial resources; and 4) promotion of external funding opportunities. The successful candidate will report to the Director of the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement departmental programs, in research and extension in accordance with the Land Grant Mission.


• Lead the Cranberry Station, as well as strive for regional, national, and international excellence in integrated research and Extension programs that support the Cranberry Station's mission and strategic goals.


• Represent the mission and strategic goals of the Station and its faculty with campus administrators, other departments and units, stakeholder groups, and outside agencies.


• Identify strategic opportunities for new research and Extension program opportunities; including expanding faculty involvement and leadership, garnering stakeholder support and engagement, in pursuit of the vision for the Station.


• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with the cranberry industry and state agencies to establish priorities that reflect current needs of the industry.


• Report unit status and progress to the Station's Board of Public Oversight.


• Foster and promote the vision and partnership with USDA-ARS scientists housed at the facility.


• Provide administrative management of the Station, including human, physical and financial resources. Management of personnel including recruiting faculty, staff, and students, performance management, and fostering their academic growth and professional development.


• Pursue and secure external funding opportunities to support all programs of the Station, including the successful candidate's discipline.


• Maintain an active research and extension program, in a discipline that supports the cranberry industry.


• Pursue enrichment opportunities for the Station community to promote collaboration, programmatic, and unit excellence.


• Participate in outreach opportunities, and engage local, state, and regional stakeholders in support of the Land Grant Mission.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.


• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.


• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• PhD in an applied biological field, including, but not limited to horticulture, plant nutrition, soil science, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, agricultural engineering or a related discipline.


• A record of scholarly achievement and professional activities related to applied research, extension and outreach.


• Demonstrated ability to obtain and direct grant- and/or industry-funded research.


• Demonstrated effective professional leadership and interpersonal skills.


• Demonstrated managerial skills in project management, implementation, and evaluation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong commitment to applied research, Extension programming, and long-term sustainability of agriculture.


• Capacity for advancing innovation for applied agricultural research and Extension programming.


• An exemplary record of scholarly achievement and professional activities related to applied research, extension and outreach.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate (oral, written) and work with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds within university, industry and public sectors.


• Experience in defining project objectives, strategy development and implementation, and impact assessment.


• Demonstrated competency in the management of people and fiscal resources.


• Experience as a principal investigator or project director.


• Research and extension experience in an agricultural discipline, including, but not limited to horticulture, plant nutrition, soil science, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, agricultural engineering or agricultural economics.


• Participation in institutional and professional service activities that align with the candidate's strengths.


• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.


• Ability to pursue and build effective and innovative partnerships and opportunities


• Ability to create a motivating and inclusive work environment, promote teamwork and collaborations.


• Strong commitment to inclusion and the promotion of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action.


• Evidence of effective mentoring and recruiting of faculty, staff and students.


• Experience managing a research farm or similar facility.


• Strong commitment to working with growers and local stakeholders.


• Strong support of and understanding of the mission of a Land Grant university.

Additional Details

• This position is located in East Wareham, Massachusetts.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Salary is commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a cover letter, CV, statement of research and extension, diversity statement (see below), and contact information for three (3) professional references who can comment on the candidate's leadership, research, and extension abilities.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged. Questions about the position may be directed to Professor Anne Averill at averill@eco.umass.edu.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.

Advertised: Mar 1 2024 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: