Director of Agricultural Education Center

Job Description

This full-time, 12-month exempt position reports to the Dean of Career and Technical Education and is located at the JWCC Agricultural Science Complex, 37803 Street, Hwy 104, Baylis, IL 62314.

Director of Agricultural Education Center

John Wood Community College                                                                              Quincy IL

Job Summary

The Director of the Agriculture Education Center provides vision, leadership, and direction for the Agricultural Sciences programs and direct oversight of the agricultural sciences complex. The position is responsible for teaching up to eight semester credit hours per the fall and spring semesters and up to four credit semester hours during the summer. The director also supports and leads faculty in conducting regular curriculum reviews, academic program reviews, academic assessments, and program evaluation planning. The position is responsible for the budget for agricultural programs and facilities. It leads collaboration with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and other regional partnerships with agricultural organizations. The Agriculture Education Center’s director serves as the college’s representative in the agricultural community of the service district and across the state.

John Wood Community College

John Wood Community College is the educational link between business and community in the West Central Illinois Region. JWCC collaboratively creates innovative and relevant academic and training programs with business leaders to educate people and the workforce for today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities. JWCC has centers in Quincy, Pittsfield, Baylis and Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Programs include a comprehensive baccalaureate transfer curriculum, customized business training, career/technical degrees and certificates and personal enrichment courses.

John Wood Community College is an educational leader in comprehensive community college education in West Central Illinois and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1974, the college’s main campus and administrative center is located in the vibrant city of Quincy, Illinois. The main campus opened in January 2002 and is located on 150-acres of beautiful, sprawling landscape. The College operates four branch campuses: the Workforce Development Center in Quincy, the Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield, the Agricultural Sciences Complex in Baylis, and the Mt. Sterling Education Center in Mt. Sterling.

John Wood serves an average fall enrollment of 1,900 students across a nine-county area of Western Illinois. As a catalyst for innovation both on-campus and in the local community, John Wood Community College specializes in traditional education, workforce training, and professional development. The College is committed to student success and programmatic excellence based on the core values of excellence, accountability, integrity, servant leadership, and lifelong learning.

Mission

John Wood Community College enriches lives through learning by providing accessible educational opportunities and services at exceptional value.

Philosophy

John Wood Community College is an open-admission, comprehensive, public community college that seeks to enhance the lives of those it serves by striving for academic excellence, integrity, accountability, and flexibility. Recognizing and respecting each person’s uniqueness, potential, and value, the College offers a variety of programs, curricula, and educational delivery systems and schedules to accommodate students’ requirements and different learning rates. Further, the College seeks to stimulate students’ intellectual, academic, personal, and social development as productive, engaged, and responsible citizens supporting the community.

Accreditations

JWCC is accredited and recognized by the following organizations:

– The Higher Learning Commission

– North Central Association

– Illinois Community College Board

– Illinois Board of Higher Education

John Wood Agricultural Sciences Complex

The John Wood Community College Agricultural Sciences Complex is based on a 44-year educational partnership with the University of Illinois, John Wood Community College, and the Orr Research Center Corporation. The JWCC Agricultural Sciences Complex is the product of a unique agreement between JWCC and the University of Illinois. University land was deeded to JWCC to construct a teaching facility at the University of Illinois Orr Agronomy Research Center to be shared by the two schools. JWCC works with the land grant university to support the Orr Center concept of combining research and education.

This world-class teaching and research facility, designed to meet the needs of agriculture education in rural western Illinois, underwent the construction of the new 24,000-square-foot facility in 2022. The newly completed facility houses offices and classrooms, an exposition/arena space, and an animal care unit designed for short-term or temporary housing for the welfare of animals. The building addresses multiple agricultural education and development issues in West Central Illinois and further enhances regional research, teaching, and activities. Together, these partners continue to work collectively to build a strong rural economy and create new generations of farm operators, owners, and other rural careers. The Orr Corporation led this privately funded project of $2.5 million.

The John Wood Community College Agriculture education programs boast a rich history of providing first-class instruction for students who wish to transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce after obtaining a degree or certificate. Hands-on programs, research and internship connections with the University of Illinois, and caring, veteran instructors serving students in a close-knit environment make JWCC’s Agricultural Education Center one-of-a-kind in Illinois.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include: master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, education with a specialization in agriculture or another agricultural area (including agricultural business, agricultural engineering, agricultural mechanics, agriculture agronomy, animal science, enology, environmental, ornamental) horticulture, forestry, natural resources, plant science, pomology, soil science, viticulture, or other agriculture science; or a master’s degree in a closely related field with 18 graduate hours in agriculture science courses. Upon hire, the successful candidate must be fully credentialed to teach per the Higher Learning Commission and Illinois Community College Board, three (3) years of full-time teaching experience in agricultural sciences or agriculture education at a k-12, community college, or university setting; experience in curriculum development and assessment; experience working with and coordinating events for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) career and technical student organization.

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications include: five (5) years of full-time teaching experience in agricultural sciences or agriculture education at a k-12, community college, or university setting; teaching experience in a community college setting; experience in the supervision of full-time faculty; experience in the organization of and judging of livestock competitions; demonstrated abilities to work cooperatively with people in the agriculture industry and with high school students and teachers; experience working in one or more sectors of the agriculture industry; an active member of appropriate professional organizations; experience developing courses with an online component; experience in course design and curriculum development, and demonstrated excellence in teaching and a commitment to retention and motivation of students.

Essential Functions

• Provides vision, leadership, and direction for the Agricultural Sciences programs, which consist of Agriculture Associates of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA) degrees, and Agricultural Sciences AAS degrees and certificates.
• Teaches up to eight semester credit hours per the fall and spring semesters and up to four credit semester hours during the summer of courses required in the agricultural science degree and certificate programs.
• Oversees the agricultural sciences complex, which consists of two buildings and adjacent property. Serve as the primary point of contact for activities and events held at the facility.
• Maintains relations and collaborates with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and other regional partnerships with agricultural organizations.
• Supports and leads faculty in conducting regular curriculum reviews, academic program reviews, academic assessments, and planning for program evaluations.
• Responsible for the budget for agricultural programs and facilities.
• Coordinates with admission for recruitment activities, including outreach events and coordinating the Ag Ambassador program.
• Coordinates with advising to ensure student success and retention.
• Supervises assigned full-time faculty, associate faculty, and staff.
• Coordinates with college facilities and maintenance for the care of the facility.
• Works closely with the JWCC Ag Advisory Council to regularly seek industry input on program offerings, internships, essential job skill requirements, and employment opportunities within the industry.
• Works closely with the Ag alumni group to seek input on programs and stays current with industry changes.
• Works closely with the Office of Grants to pursue funding opportunities to support program initiatives and students.
• Works closely with the JWCC Foundation to pursue contributions to support student scholarships and program initiatives.
• Conducts regular community outreach to identify services to provide services to the JWCC agriculture program and rural population.

Work Schedule

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Work Calendar

12 Months

SALARY

Commensurate with the College’s pay scale

BENEFITS

JWCC offers a competitive benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, and prescription drug insurance, vacation, sick days, personal days, paid holidays, tuition waivers for employees and dependent family members, and State University Retirement System.

APPLICATION

Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application:

1. A letter of application (not to exceed five pages) that succinctly addresses the following three questions and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the Director of Agricultural Education Center of John Wood Community College.

• What are the three most pressing challenges in recruiting and retaining students in agriculture, and how does your experience relate to addressing them?
• What is your experience with student job placement in agriculture? Describe strategies you have used to partner with local industry to promote opportunities for students.
• What role does the Director of The JWCC Agriculture Complex have in supporting student success?

2. A current resume, including an email address and cellular telephone number.
3. A list of eight references: for example, two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions.

This is a confidential search process. Application materials should be received by February 26, 2024, to ensure full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Application materials are to be submitted at https://jwcc.aaimtrack.com/jobs/.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying for a job, please submit a request to hr@jwcc.edu.