Full Time Lecturer, Agricultural Communication & Brock Center Director

Date Posted	March 20, 2026
Industry	Academia
Specialty	Not Specified
Required Education	Master's Degree
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a two-year, academic year, Full Time Lecturer of Agricultural Communication and Brock Center Director starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Fifty percent of this lecturer position will serve as Director of the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication. The Brock Center for Agricultural Communication was established in 1986 and is jointly managed by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). The Director of the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of a student-run, agency-style communication center grounded in Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy. This role oversees operations, supervises and mentors student associates, and ensures the production of high-quality, public-facing communication assets that support agriculture, food, and environmental sciences. The Director serves as a key liaison between the Agricultural Education and Communication Department and the Journalism Department, facilitating strong collaboration and alignment to ensure oversight, coordination, and shared strategic priorities that reflect the strengths of both programs. The Director works closely with faculty, college leadership, industry partners, and university stakeholders to guide branding, digital media, print publications, and strategic communication efforts, while advancing the Center’s mission to bridge agriculture, media, and the public. The Director will also actively seek funding to augment the current endowment to allow expansion of the Center’s activities.

The duties of the Director will constitute approximately 50% of the initial appointment. The remaining 50% will be fulfilled as a lecturer within the Agricultural Communication program housed in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. Lecturer rank will be commensurate with experience. The incumbent will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, such as campaign planning and execution, broadcast (video), social media management and experiential communication, and other related courses.

Duties may also include, but are not limited to, supervision of undergraduate senior projects, team teaching assignments, and student advising. Service activities will include participation in department, college, and university committees and instructional related activities.

Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges per month for the respective ranks are:

Lecturer A: $5,507 - $6,677

Lecturer B: $6,221 - $13,224

Lecturer C: $6,825 - $14,523

Lecturer D: $8,593 - $15,211

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned master’s degree in Agricultural Communication or a closely related field.
• Candidates must demonstrate, or show potential for, excellence in teaching, effective communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as the ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings is required.
• Work effectively with teams, be a productive team player, and interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.

Particular attention will be given to candidates with productive records of teaching and scholarly activity that would strengthen current department initiatives and those with strong demonstrated leadership experience and capability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience teaching multiple classes and those with relevant work experience.  The ability to collaborate with faculty across the College and University is desirable. Experience working with varied populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, equitable, and inclusive learning environment is preferred.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department at Cal Poly has approximately 160 undergraduate students in Agricultural Communication and 170 undergraduate students in Agricultural Science, 39 master’s degree candidates, and six full-time faculty who teach in the areas of agricultural teacher education, agricultural communications, and agricultural science.

HOW TO APPLY

Review will begin on April 19, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by that date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (5) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.

*Universal Student Success Statement Prompt- Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.

Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.

Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations.  Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Ben Swan, Department Head, via office phone at 805-756-2401 or via email at bswan@calpoly.edu

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