Assistant Professor Integrated Pest Mgmt at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky

Job Description:

TITLE: Assistant Professor of Integrated Pest Management
DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
REPORTS TO: Chair, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources 
CLASSIFICATION: Faculty-12 months
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
STANDARD WORK HOURS: 40 hours per week
LOCATION: On-Site-Main Campus
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt 
JOB SUMMARY: This is a tenure-track, research, teaching, and extension position with Kentucky State University’s 1890 Land-Grant Program.  The faculty member is expected to conduct research in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as it applies to commercial crops such as vegetables, agronomic crops, etc., with a focus on the needs of limited-resource and small farms, and low-income communities.The faculty member will create and implement research projects under the 1890 Research Capacity Funds and obtain competitive grant funding with a focus on IPM of insects and other economically significant invertebrate pests affecting commercial crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers,  and ornamentals, cereal grains, and oilseeds..  IPM research should include innovative, sustainable, and financially responsible approaches to pest management including multiple approaches for identifying, deterring, and removal of pests.  Research should lead to Extension activities that collectively address the needs of farms including those with limited financial resources.   The IPM faculty will teach Extension workshops and provide technical assistance to farmers regarding pest management and entomology.  Research and Extension activities should collectively address the needs of farms with limited financial abilities by developing and managing financially sound and environmentally safe pest management strategies.  The IPM faculty will teach Extension workshops and provide technical assistance to farmers regarding pest management and entomology.The faculty member is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses both online and in-class.  The courses will be selected by departmental committees and/or the Chair and/or the Dean of the College, and will reflect the qualifications of the faculty member and the needs of the College.  Additionally, the faculty member should serve on graduate student committees and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and other students.  
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Develop a research program related to Integrated Pest Management and Entomology as it applies to commercial crop production including vegetables, fruits, flowers, and agronomic field crops.  

Establish and maintain a competitive research program on topics such as the determination of new approaches, including the use of traps, chemicals, and non-chemical methods to management of insects and other pests for commercial crops and encouragement of beneficial insects.

Develop Extension programs related to Integrated Pest Management training for stakeholders, including a certification program for IPM and spraying of commercial crops.

Conduct and publish research in the area of specialty. Deliver research presentations at professional conferences.

Pursue external funding to pest management and entomology needs of commercial crop producers, particularly supporting the needs of limited resources and small farms.

Build cooperative working relationships with other research scientists, extension specialists, area educators, teaching faculty, staff; youth program educators; university administrators, federal partners, other universities, and other potential organizations with expertise that can support program efforts.

Develop relationships, serve as a liaison to, and/or collaborate with, appropriate governmental and non-governmental organizations including community-based organizations that serve farms, military veterans, socially-disadvantaged populations, and consumers.

Maintain involvement with professional agriculture, pest management, horticulture, and agronomy organizations, with active participation on committees and boards at local, regional, and national levels.

Teach courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels based on the needs of the University 

Mentor students, including undergraduate, graduate, and other students. Participate in graduate student committees and serve as major professor for graduate students. Assist in the recruitment of students.

Represent Kentucky State University as an 1890 Land Grant Institution to the public, including federal and non-federal agencies, and research, agriculture, and industry interests.

  
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Relevant extension and/or research experience beyond the Ph.D. degree.

Evidence of the ability to collaborate in research, teaching, and outreach activities.

Evidence of interdisciplinary collaborations with diverse audiences including faculty, stakeholders, and other clientele within and external to the university.

Involvement with recognized professional associations or organizations.

Ability to transfer information through scholarly publications, patents and presentations at scientific meetings and through technology transfer to agriculture and industry groups.

 
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.   
OTHER DUTIES:Other related duties as assigned.  
QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in a related field (entomology, horticulture, plant sciences, etc.) by the time of appointment.  

Evidence of peer reviewed journal publications in the area of pest management. 

Demonstrated skills in securing grants or strong potential to secure extramural funding in integrated pest management.

Experience and interest in mentoring and teaching students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  

Licensing and Certifications: NA  
WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work in both indoor office work environment and outdoor field/farm environment.

Moderate physical effort required to move supplies and material in a farm, greenhouse, laboratory work.

Moderate physical risk that is associated with normal farm, greenhouse, and laboratory work.

     

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visaInternal candidates are encouraged to apply.   

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.

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