The University of Washington, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) invites applications for the position of Director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) and faculty member in SEFS.

The UWBG has an international reputation for horticulture, restoration ecology, urban forestry, sustainable urban systems, conservation, and plant collections. It manages 320 acres of collections and research areas, has a staff of over 40, and an annual budget of $2.7 million. UWBG is a community asset and serves diverse user groups. The Director will provide leadership to the botanic gardens management team, promote and participate in developing the UWBG research program, play an active role in fund raising, work closely with the City of Seattle and UWBG partner organizations, and advance the role of the botanic gardens in the academic activities of the University of Washington faculty.

We seek a flexible leader with demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, communication, planning, fundraising, and fiscal skills. Strong abilities in organizational leadership are needed. The director will encourage and aid the development of new initiatives and innovation, and will champion ongoing successes. The director is the primary representative of the UWBG and its academic mission to the University and to the greater Seattle area community. Having at least one of two important kinds of experience is required for this position:

The director must be a prominent scientist with an active research program and teaching experience in a relevant academic discipline.
OR
The director must have a demonstrated ability to manage botanic gardens, conduct fund-raising, manage research programs and generally advance the mission and stature of a botanic garden.

The successful UWBG director candidate’s academic appointment and tenure status will be commensurate with their experience and qualifications. For tenured Full Professor or Associate Professor, a PhD or terminal degree or foreign equivalent is required. Appointment to one of these two titles is indefinite. For Professor of Practice, the candidate must a distinguished practitioner, distinguished academician or have credentials commensurate with teaching, research, and service responsibility of the appointment therefore experience may qualify in place of degrees. The Professor of Practice appointment is for a term of one to five years, renewable indefinitely. Any appointment will be a full time (100% FTE) 9-month position, augmented by 2 additional months of summer salary and 11 months of administrative supplement.

The University of Washington is building a culturally diverse student body and workforce. SEFS works to create a dedicated team of educators capable of enabling our students to explore and interpret the rich array of disciplines and perspectives that they will encounter. All UW faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. Therefore, we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and/or service have not only prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion, but have also given them the ability to engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, and have led them to develop strategies for engaging communities of color, low income communities, disabled communities and/or LGBTQIA communities.

To apply, submit a single PDF to SEFSjobs@uw.edu with ‘UW Botanic Gardens Director’ in the email title. The PDF must contain a brief cover letter summarizing interest, experience and qualifications; a full curriculum vitae; four 1-page statements of (1) research interests and plans, (2) teaching and outreach, (3) botanic garden leadership and administrative experience, and (4) experience and goals in promoting equity and diversity; and contact information for at least three professional references. Questions can be directed to UWBG Director Search Committee, c/o Ms. Carrie Cone, at cmcone@uw.edu. The committee will begin reviewing applications on March 20, 2018; applications will be accepted until an appointment is made. Anticipated start date is September 16, 2018.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.