Position Vacancy Announcement, Kansas Geological Survey

Director and State Geologist

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Kansas is seeking a dynamic individual to serve as the Director of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) and State Geologist. This individual must develop and articulate a vision of KGS programs, understand the concept of serving Kansas through high-quality research in the applied geosciences, and embrace a collegial administrative style. The KGS is among the premier earth-science research and service institutions in the U.S., with a reputation for excellence, scientific leadership, and service to the State. The KGS is a research and service unit of the University of Kansas, thereby providing opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students in other departments and research groups at the University.

The individual selected for this position will have the opportunity to jointly hold a tenured faculty position in an academic department at the University of Kansas with options to teach courses and/or advise graduate students.

The position will provide unique opportunities to foster collaboration between the Kansas Geological Survey and system-wide research activities at the University of Kansas including those of the Department of Geology, the Department of Geography & Atmospheric Science, the Tertiary Oil Recovery Program (TORP), the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, the Kansas Biological Survey, the Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, and the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology among others. New facilities at the Earth, Energy and Environment Center (https://geo.ku.edu/building-fund) due to open in spring 2018 will further support such collaborations.

Appointment/start date: Full-time, 12 month position appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, subject to review, normally every five years. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2017, and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is collected. The position is open until filled.

Salary, employment status, and fringe benefits: Starting salary negotiable depending on qualifications, education, and experience. Benefits include University staff privileges; sabbatical eligibility; 22 vacation leave days annually, 12 sick leave days annually, and 9 holidays annually; group medical, life insurance, and retirement program options.

Job description:

Leadership (50%)

1. Foster collaborations and positive working relationships with Survey staff, academic departments and divisions of the University, the Legislature, local government, State and Federal agencies, the private sector, and the public. This includes, but is not limited to, providing leadership and counsel for other government bodies regarding resource and environmental issues, economic development and management of natural resources, and ensuring that relevant research results are effectively and efficiently communicated to users.
2. Serve on various committees and advisory boards for the State of Kansas (e.g., the GIS Policy Board and the Kansas Water Authority) and, as appropriate, for other University and governmental units and professional societies.
3. Ensure that the highest quality staff are recruited, developed, and retained to enhance the research and service mission of the Survey, with special attention to diversity and Equal Opportunity.
4. Develop plans with KGS scientists and the Geological Survey Advisory Council (GSAC) membership to expand and diversify the KGS funding portfolio and set KGS priorities
5. Communicate regularly about budgetary, scientific, and professional issues with the scientific leadership of the Survey.

Research, Service, and Program Development (50%)

1. Sustain and enhance the environment for creative research and service at the Survey to meet the needs of the State, the University, and the geoscience profession. Provide administrative and scientific leadership in the areas of energy, water, and mineral resources; environmental issues; data collection, analysis, and access; basic and applied research in the geosciences; and public access, dissemination, and archival collection of research results and natural-resources data.
2. Establish policies for maintaining balance between research and service goals and objectives, work with State government and University leadership to address the diverse funding needs of the Survey, and interact with staff in the development and review of programs and personnel to ensure that the Survey fulfills its mission. Planning and implementation must be responsive to the needs of Kansas and sensitive to the State's public-policy issues.
3. Maintain an awareness of significant developments in geoscience research and relevant technology to anticipate the directions of geoscience research and applications. Integrate this knowledge with an understanding of the needs of Kansas so that new advances are incorporated into long-term research planning.
4. Work with researchers within the Survey and around the University to expand the Survey's portfolio of externally sponsored projects.
5. Maintain involvement in geoscience research and be publicly visible in Kansas and national natural-resource discussions.

Required Qualifications:

Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) record of accomplishments in application materials, (2) descriptions of experience in application materials, (3) interactions during on-campus interview, and (4) information from professional references.

1. Doctorate in the geosciences and at least 10 years of professional experience in the geosciences.
2. Prior administrative and/or leadership experience, which may be demonstrated to include budgeting, personnel supervision and evaluation, and/or program development.
3. National recognition in a field of geoscience research, as demonstrated by a record of refereed publications, external funding, professional service, scientific leadership, and other qualifications suitable for a joint appointment with tenure in an academic department within the University.
4. Demonstrated ability to work in a university setting with a wide constituency, including KGS staff, academic faculty, the public, government officials, service organizations and the private sector.
5. A collegial management and leadership style that seeks consultation with staff about decisions and programs.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of natural resources and environmental aspects of their use.
7. Excellence in oral and written communication, as demonstrated by professional publications, presentations, and interactions during on-campus interview.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. More than three years of administrative experience, demonstrated to include budgeting, personnel supervision and evaluation, and/or program development.
2. Prior experience with public policy issues.
3. Service on state, national, and international committees and in professional societies.
4. International recognition in a field of geoscience research, as demonstrated by a strong record of refereed publications, external funding, professional service, scientific leadership, and other qualifications suitable for a senior-level joint appointment with tenure in a geoscience-related academic department within the University.
5. Professional geologist license (or reciprocity equivalent) in the State of Kansas.
6. Knowledge of Kansas geology and geography and the state's economy.

Application Procedure:

Apply online at http://employment.ku.edu/academic/7911BR. A complete application includes the completed online application and a 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of research/teaching interests, and 4) the names of three professional references to include addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Applications will be kept confidential until candidates agree that references may be contacted.

For application information contact Annette Delaney, Human Resources, Kansas Geological Survey, (785) 864-2152, adelaney@ku.edu. For further information about the position contact Search Committee Chair, Greg Ludvigson, (785) 864-2734, gludvigson@kgs.ku.edu.

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University's programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY. http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination

Placed online Jan. 25, 2017
Comments to webadmin@kgs.ku.edu
The URL for this page is HTTP://www.kgs.ku.edu/General/jobs/director.html