The Department of Biology seeks applicants for a Director of Outdoor Learning Spaces. This is a twelve-month, full-time staff position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026, with some flexibility depending on candidate availability. The Director will provide operational oversight and leadership for research, education, and outreach programs associated with VSU’s Outdoor Learning Spaces – including the Lake Louise Field Station, Brown’s Pond Field Station, Blazer Gardens, Camellia Trail, and the Pinetum – while advancing experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and community engagement through their management and development. More information about VSU’s Field Stations is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/cosm/field-stations/.

The Department of Biology fosters a student-centered learning environment with emphasis on experiential learning.  Serving approximately 450 students, it is the largest department in the College of Science and Mathematics.  Among our 20 faculty, several have won awards for teaching, research, and service. Faculty maintain active research programs that engage students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Master of Science with both a thesis and non-thesis option. Detailed information is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/.

Applicants should submit the following with their online application:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Leadership statement describing your approach to fostering collaboration, innovation, and/or student engagement in outdoor learning environments
• Management statement that describes how your training and experience prepare you to manage a diverse set of outdoor learning spaces 
• Names and contact information (including email addresses) for at least three professional references  

Applications must be submitted online at:  https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/human-resources/employment-opportunities.php. Review of completed applications will begin June 1, 2026; the position is open until filled. For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visa petitions until further notice.

Supervisor Expectations:

• Provide visionary leadership to develop and implement a long-term plan that enhances the use of outdoor learning spaces to prepare career-ready graduates through experiential learning.
• Oversee and integrate research, education, and outreach programs across all VSU’s Outdoor Learning Spaces.
• Work in a collaborative environment with stakeholders across campus and in the community to achieve goals.
• Lead strategic partnerships, grants, and fundraising efforts to support management and outreach.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a specified field and five (5) years of related work experience in a related field is required. Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Responsibilities & Typical Allocation of Duties:

• Accomplish department/unit objectives – 25%: Direct the human, financial, and other resources needed to accomplish objectives of the department or unit.
• Monitor and establish processes – 20%: Monitor and establish processes to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with University and Department goals.
• Direct operations – 20%: Direct the operations of the department or unit.
• Area Representative – 15%: Represent the department or unit to internal and external groups and individuals
• Manage budget – 10%: Manage the department/unit budget.
• Compliance – 10%: Ensure commitment to and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

About Us

Valdosta State University (VSU), founded in 1906, has a student enrollment of approximately 10,300.  The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu, and for more information about the community visit https://www.valdostachamber.com.  As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, VSU is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities’ rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia’s Core Values.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.  Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.