UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Assistant Director
Position Number: 108323
Category Status: Exempt Regular
Unit: AGNR-AES-Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
Working with the Center’s Executive Director to provide leadership in executing the Center’s mission to “Provide leadership to promote environmentally sound and economically viable agriculture and forestry as Maryland’s preferred land use through research, outreach and collaboration. Established in 1999 the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology is a part of University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Center is headquartered at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland.
Responsibilities:
- Leadership in executing assigned strategic initiatives of the Board and Dean approved strategic plan. Catalyzing collaboration among a broad diversity of constituents and finding meaningful consensus that leads to measurable change in agronomy, agronomy policy, and/or natural resource management. Crafting solutions that support forestry and farming needs and enhancing Maryland’s natural resources especially the Chesapeake Bay. Development of a multiyear plan including budget and staff activity plans. Supervision of staff and contracted employees.
- Building relationships with local and state government officials especially related to the Chesapeake Bay Program. Proactive support of state and federal government efforts that support farming and forestry and natural resources management in Maryland. Support successful state initiatives by supporting Watershed Implementation Plan at local and state levels.
- Leading the fundraising goals of the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology. Working with a Board committee and the Executive Director to meet fundraising goals for the Center. Developing donors and asking for support directly. Managing fundraising and grant award recordkeeping and collaboration with the College Park Foundation. Finding and applying for grants that provide needed resources for strategic initiatives. Oversee and supervise grant reporting to foundations and other entities for the University of Maryland System Foundation.
- Oversight of outreach and engagement activities. Supervision of staff at the Hughes Center to ensure successful implementation of workshops, meetings, and communications activities. Oversee request for proposal process by engaging with research professionals at University of Maryland and with the Board of Directors at the Hughes Center.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree from an accredited university.
Five years’ experience working with government representatives and agricultural community. Experience facilitating and implementing meetings that result in consensus outcomes. Experience with Extension, NGOs, educational institutions and local government leaders around implementation of WIPs. Proficiency in interpersonal skills and communication through digital, print and verbal means. Standard office skills including computer applications. Detailed understanding of budgeting and reporting around grants and events. Must be willing and able to work occasional weekends and evenings.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Operational leadership in implementing strategic priorities that include research, policy, outreach, and community engagement.
- Measures performance of organizational functions.
- Management and leadership of staff and student fellows.
- Technical writing for grants and grant/reporting.
- Seek opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of all internal operations.
- Manage technology, including ongoing maintenance and updating of fundraising software.
- Strengthen relationships with other constituents especially government agencies.
- Along with the Executive Director, provide staff support and guidance to the Board of Directors and serve as staff liaison to relevant subcommittees of the Board.
- Provide programmatic input to the Executive Director in strategic planning.
- Represent the Hughes Center at private and public functions as needed.
- Team player with superior consensus building and critical thinking.
- Skills should include demonstrated leadership ability, problem solving, data analysis, personnel management, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Other duties as assigned by Executive Director.
Salary & Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience, with hiring range minimum of $78,794. The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.
Applications:
All Interested persons must submit their application via our website: https://ejobs.umd.edu/ for position #108323. A complete application packet includes a letter of application, a current resume, copies of transcripts, and three (3) professional references, including name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
Best Consideration Date: May 15, 2017
The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.