The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center. The Executive Director will hold an academic appointment as Associate Professor/Professor in one of three CAFLS departments: Plant and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Forestry and Environmental Conservation Department

Clemson University is a land-grant institution designated as an R1 University with strong community engagement. The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences is deeply rooted in Clemson University’s heritage as a land-grant institution, advancing the vision of founder Thomas Green Clemson for higher education that benefits South Carolina, its people, land, natural resources, and economy. World-class education, research, and Extension merge to drive scientific discoveries of global impact, while partnerships with industry and state and federal agencies foster innovation and offer unique opportunities for faculty and students.

The South Carolina Water Resources Center (SCWRC) is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, and adjacent to the Clemson University campus. With expertise in agricultural water use and irrigation, water resource economics and policy, sustainability, climate, flood modeling, water quality/quantity, water best management practices, and aquaponics/hydroponics, the mission of the SCWRC is to help sustain South Carolina’s water resources.

The SCWRC is home to faculty, students, support staff members, and other research and Extension personnel. The Center includes meeting rooms, classrooms, a field site, clean laboratories, greenhouses, and other specialized facilities for water research. Expansion of the research laboratory infrastructure and graduate student facilities is underway.

General Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director serves as the principal spokesperson for the SCWRC, both internally and externally. This tenured-faculty position provides leadership and support to maintain and advance strong integrated research and Extension programs appropriate for the SCWRC, addressing the multifaceted needs of South Carolinians. The Executive Director will lead the SCWRC, manage Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) focused water resources initiatives (facilitating water research, outreach and engagement, and Extension education and training programs), and serve as the lead for coordinating PSA projects with local, state and federal water resource agencies to identify issues in sustainable water management where Clemson research and Extension can provide solutions.

The Executive Director will provide a compelling vision for innovative, interdisciplinary research and Extension initiatives; foster a collegial working environment at the SCWRC; facilitate the development of collaborative relationships with Clemson University faculty, whether located on main campus or at Research and Education Centers across the state; and strengthen working relationships with local communities, external funding agencies, commodity groups, research collaborators at partner institutions, and other key constituency groups.

The Executive Director will be expected to develop new and enhance innovative, applied programs such as:

• Statewide water-data integration and decision-support networks that link technology, monitoring data, modeling, and visualization tools for diverse stakeholders, including agencies, communities, and industries.
• Climate resilience, drought, and flood-mitigation initiatives integrating green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and community planning.
• Collaborative projects on emerging contaminants, PFAS, and harmful algal blooms in partnership with regulatory and public-health agencies, communities, and non-profits.
• Water research, policy and governance forums (such as the SC Water Resources Conference and the Journal of South Carolina Water Resources) that bring stakeholders together to support statewide strategic water planning.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provide leadership and oversight of research and Extension activities of SCWRC personnel
• Develop and implement a comprehensive SCWRC strategic plan, aligning with college and University priorities
• Acquire external and internal funding to support research and Extension projects
• Mentor faculty/staff and provide vision and guidance for research initiatives
• Establish a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising
• Improve and expand the SCWRC infrastructure and project guidance
• Manage the SCWRC’s daily operation, budget, facilities, and resources
• Provide supervision of support staff
• Foster a culture of collegiality, inclusion, and collaborative engagement among students, staff, and faculty
• Attend the annual NIWR Director’s Meeting in Washington, DC, and meet with South Carolina congressional delegation regarding NIWR WRRA reauthorization and appropriation requests

Qualifications

Clemson University seeks a strategic, visionary leader to lead the SCWRC. The successful candidate will have extensive (10+ years) experience in a premier academic setting, and/or demonstrated leadership in running a similar government or non-governmental Center and shall serve as a strong advocate for faculty, staff, and students. The candidate will also have demonstrated accomplishments, impacts, and a programmatic vision relevant to the research and Extension programs at the SCWRC.

Additional Desired Qualifications Include:

• Influential leadership skills, including supervisory and budgetary experience
• Ability to build support for initiatives through engagement with stakeholders (e.g., SCDES, SCDNR, SCDA, SC Farm Bureau, USDA-NRCS, SCOR, USGS , USACE, SC Sea Grant, county and regional governments, water and wastewater utilities, conservation districts, non-profits, industry, etc.)
• Excellent scholarship and grantsmanship track record
• Strong communication skills and capacity to inspire others
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and to building a cohesive working environment
• Understanding of fundamental and applied research opportunities across the range of water disciplines represented within the SCWRC
• Demonstrated commitment to research and/or Extension as illustrated by achievements in grants, scholarship and academic reputation in the field
• Exemplary mentoring skills that encourage faculty to achieve their highest potential
• Ability to create and maintain appropriate alliances with diverse stakeholders

Education

The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in a water-related discipline and achieved a record of scholarly activity warranting appointment at a tenured rank in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University.