POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

Title:Assistant Program Director

Appointment:Assistant To, Job code#9353, full-time, Academic Administrative*

Reports to:Regional Partnerships Statewide Director

Location:University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus

Application Deadline:The review of applications begins on September 23, 2015; Position will remain open until filled

About Extension

The University of Minnesota Extension provides non-formal, research-based educationto agricultural producers, small business owners, consumers, families and youth and communities across the State of Minnesota. The mission of the University of Minnesota Extension is: Making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension educational programs are organized and delivered through four structural units designated as Extension Centers, each lead by an Associate Dean. These Extension Centers include: Family Development; Youth Development; Community Vitality; and Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

Position Overview

TheAssistant Program Directorwill support the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships’ (RSDP) statewide directorto manage operations, overall logistics, and communications.RSDPis a University of Minnesota Extension, multi-college program formed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1997. The RSDP consists of five regional programs and one statewide program led by boards composed of citizen leaders and University of Minnesota faculty. The boards identify research, education, and outreach projects aimed at improving economic, social, and environmental sustainability of greater Minnesota’s agriculture, natural resources, energy, and tourism resources. The projects are then linked to University faculty, students and other resources. Operating policies and statewide projects are coordinated among the five RSDP programs by a Statewide Coordinating Committee composed of staff and citizens from each region, at-large citizen representatives, and representatives of three partner colleges at the University of Minnesota.

TheAssistantProgram Directorwill workprimarily with multiple Extension resource units (finance and grants, evaluation, IT andcommunications), to support RSDP programming, both regionally and within focus areas of work (Sustainable Agriculture and Local Foods, Natural Resources, Energy, Sustainable Tourism and Resilient Communities). The Assistant Program Director will also assist in managing administrative and programmaticrelationships throughout Extension and the University and will represent the RSDP statewide director when appropriate at meetings, and/or other events.

*This job family is currently under study by the University and the job code will likely change.

Major areas of accountability

1. Provide Operations Management–Approximately 40%

Work in partnership with RSDP statewide directorto manage operationsand logistics for the RSDP, including quarterly statewide meetings

Manageadministrative relationships throughout Extension and other University academic units to build synergies and serve as contact point on administrative issues for the RSDP

Serve onExtension committees as appropriate; represent statewide directorand RSDP program on committees, as requested

Provide support to statewide director as needed for areas such as annual federal reporting and the annual University compact

Represent the RSDP at meetings and on committees as applicable to programming

Connect with students and student groups, assist in hiring students for regional and statewide projects, and supervise them and their work

Assist with grant writing and grantsproject coordination

Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective operational strategies and processes, including maintaining and updating the operations instructions of the RSDP

Lead and support former and current RSDP board members to organize an alumni group and develop goals and objectives to support the land grant University mission and greater sustainability outcomes throughout Minnesota

2. Provide Program Team Support–Approximately 30%

Direct, manageand/or coordinateprojects and programs toensureproblems are resolved andappropriate follow-up to issues identified, particularly as related to communication, evaluation, reporting and IT needs

Track RSDP’s annual progress on projects; seek synergies among the projects of the five RSDP programs

Work with the statewide director to assess and adjust programming to build on program strengths

Foster interdisciplinaryprogramming byworking with statewide director to facilitate connections between and amongregional RSDPefforts and University resources

Assist with building relationships and serve as a liaison to U of M faculty, staff, and programs that support and connect with the work of the RSDP

Stay current with business, educational, management, and innovation practices in Extension, higher education, and industry

Work in partnership with statewide director and regional directors to set, advance, and communicate priority focus areas and initiatives/projects that support Extensiongoals

Direct RSDP program evaluation efforts, including working with the evaluation database, analysis of RSDP projects and programs, coordination with Extension and RSDP evaluation efforts, staying current on evaluation methods, and at times overseeing student worker

3. Provide Communications Management–Approximately 30%

Work in collaboration with statewide director to design and implementcommunication strategies and oversee the RSDP web production assistant

Conduct and integrate RSDP communications in keeping with Extension communication goals

Provide regular content to the RSDP social media outlets

Partner witheach RSDP regional director to assess needs and to create systems and tools that increase communication effectiveness

Produce the monthly e-newsletter for the Regional Partnerships, this can include overseeing student worker

Responsible for ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness of information for RSDP communication projects, including web efforts and press releases

Required qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

5-years experience in progressively more responsible positions

Ability to work independently, set priorities, and take initiative to accomplish goals

Experience in managing complex projects and processes

Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software as well as basic teaching and communication technologies, including social media

Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills

Highly organized withattention to details

Understanding of sustainable development and familiarity with one or more of the RSDP’s focus areas of Sustainable Agriculture and Local Foods, Natural Resources, Energy, Sustainable Tourism and Resilient Communities

Demonstrated experience in facilitating, team building, and organizing and leading diverse groups through decision making and planning processes

Coursework or experience with program evaluation

Preferred qualifications:

Master’s degree

Experience with University of Minnesota

Demonstrated commitment to diversity

Demonstrated ability to respond to a changing environment and meet deadlines

Strong organizational, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills

Strong creative problem solving skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Benefits/Appointment

(1)This is an academic administrative annually renewable appointment as Program Director, job code 9353, Assistant to.*

(2)The appointment is reviewed annually for renewal, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of funds, and program needs.

(3)University of Minnesota appointment and benefits, including health and life insurance. Benefits are listed on the University of Minnesota Human Resources web page:

(4)Reimbursement for travel and related expenses is available in accordance with University policy.

(5)Salary commensurate with education and experience.

*Due to the current University Administrative job family study this job classification will chage.

To Apply

Please apply online via the Employment System at

Please attach:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
  • Names and contact information for three professional references (including phone and email contact information).

To submit your transcript(s) and names and contact information online please go to:

Click on Employment

Click on “Using the Job Application System” (5th bullet on the left hand side of the screen)

Click on “My Activity” under “Application Activities”

From the drop box select: Transcripts or Reference Attachments

For questions about applying online, contact:

Naaz Babvani

Extension Human Resources

260 Coffey Hall

1420 Eckles Avenue

University of Minnesota

St. Paul, MN 55108

Phone: 612-624-3717

Fax: 612-624-7749

For more information about this position

Please visit the statewide web site at contact the search committee chair, Kathryn Draeger, Statewide Director, U of M Regional Sustainable Development partnerships, draeg001@umn,edu, work phone: 612-625-3148

**Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

University of Minnesota Extension shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.