Prog Director - Driven to Discover

Title: Program Director - Driven to Discover
Appointment: Full-time 100%, Civil Service, Administrative Associate 2 8208A2.
Department: Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Location: Skok Hall, St. Paul Campus

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (FWCB) at the University of Minnesota
provides a world-class education through classroom and experiential teaching paired with cutting-edge
research. We recognize that structural and institutional barriers exist that prevent the inclusion and equal
participation of people in our work. We believe that recognizing who is missing, and working to include
them, is a first step to becoming a better department. Although this work is challenging, it will improve the
quality of our research, enhance our science, expand our reach, and foster more effective teaching. Join
us so that we reflect the society we serve.

We include 19 faculty members, 14 staff members, 10 postdoctoral associates, approximately 54 graduate
students, and 240 undergraduate majors in our effort to foster a high-quality natural environment and
respond to societal needs for information and education pertaining to the conservation and management
of biodiversity. We work with the Bell Museum and UMN Extension to bring our work to the public and key
stakeholders and are home to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Minnesota Cooperative Fish
and Wildlife Research Unit. Additional affiliated research and outreach facilities include the Cloquet
Forestry Center, the Lake Itasca Biological Station, the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center, and the
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. The campus is located in the heart of the Minneapolis-Saint
Paul metropolitan area, which is rich in cultural and natural attractions. FWCB is located on the Saint Paul
Campus of the University of Minnesota. The department is dynamic, and UMN offers many opportunities
for professional development. You will join a team dedicated to excellence and developing the next
generation of fisheries and aquatic biologists, wildlife scientists and managers, and conservationists. We
hope that you will apply.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Driven to Discover provides training, curriculum, and resources to help both formal and informal science
educators engage youth in citizen science projects and independent science investigations. The
programs' goals include but are not limited to a) providing K-12 teachers experience with ecological
research through citizen science; b) supporting informal educators in teaching science in the outdoors;
and c) developing coordinated, standards-based ecology curricula for teachers.

ABOUT THE POSITION
This position is accountable to Robert Blair, Professor and Head of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife
and Conservation Biology (FWCB). The position will be housed within the Blair lab in FWCB. The person in
this position will be using citizen science to promote science learning in both the classroom and outdoors.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
100% of this position will entail directing the work, and working collaboratively with staff, professors, co-
instructors and teacher-participants to ensure the success of the project throughout all stages.
Regardless of the project your effort will include working as a grant coordinator, and liaison for educators,
schools, environmental centers and related UMN departments. As program director, you will recruit
educator participants, serve as an instructor, and coordinate the delivery of educator workshops and grant
requirements. Financial budgeting, reviewing, and reporting are included in these duties. Knowledge of
phenology is critical to this role. The program director will work on two main active projects, but others
might be awarded throughout your position so the projects will be subject to change:

* 55% Driven to Discover: Phenology Investigations in Minnesota Schools The current program
under this umbrella is Phenology Investigations in Minnesota Schools (PIMS) is supported by
Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-
Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). More information about PIMS can be
found at https://z.umn.edu/PIMS

* 45% Thinking Like a Scientist: Engaging Communities in the Conservation of Migratory Species
through Scientific Investigations. Knowledge of birds is critical to this role. The project director
will conduct similar work as described above for the current program, which is the Migratory
and Urban Bird Institute (MUBI) supported by the US Forest Service International Office. More
information about PIMS can be found at https://z.umn.edu/MUBI

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE:

1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT - Organize and execute education programs by developing plans,
budgets, schedules, and resources, and ensuring coordinated efficient and consistent operations
of the program. This is done through organizing, planning, recruiting, preparing, and instructing
during professional development workshops with diverse formal and informal educators. Develop
and deliver educational and instructional programs, activities, curriculum, and tools. Ensure the
coordinated, efficient, and consistent operations of programs by providing appropriate governance
and policy strategies for each program and developing policies and procedures relevant to the
educational programs. Duties also include travel, some instructing, and other outreach events, and
being a key member of the education and outreach team. Demonstrate leadership at the
program's events, which includes all organizational work of coordinating event components,
recruiting instructors and participants, and inviting presenters or other guests. Manage external
funding proposals and ensure the execution of the program as outlined. Meet general reporting
requirements for funding sources. Identifies funding needs and assists in grant proposal
preparation.

2. COMMUNICATION - Continued communication and follow up with workshop participants and
instructors. Represents the program to the university community and various partners. This
involves answering questions about the program and its work; program and event planning (finding
presentation venues, developing recruitment resources and creating workshop materials); giving
public presentations; soliciting feedback and program evaluation for improvement; and having
main responsibility for creating written communications for programs. In addition, it involves
overseeing communication among UMN personnel involved in the programs, and direct
communication with funders about the project by creating and presenting reports and proposals
on various programmatic and educational elements.

3. PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT - Oversee program scheduling and enrollment. Develop and
implement program marketing plans, including electronic and print materials. Create and present
reports, findings and proposals to communicate various programmatic, educational or marketing
elements. Entails annual reports for various projects, which include evaluation results and planned
follow up. Grant writing and seeking sources of funding for project activities, as well as developing
new programmatic directions for the projects. Modifies procedures and practices to improve the
efficiency and quality of the programs. Searches for more effective ways to achieve end results,
such as scheduling, arranging or re-arranging the way work is generally performed and adding or
deleting unnecessary elements of processes. Order program supplies and materials. Maintain
awareness of current trends, rules and regulations, and any changes to state or federal regulations
and policies pertaining to the program.

4. DATABASES AND WEBSITES - Manage program participant databases and program systems. This
includes current contact information, names, locations, addresses, etc., to track progress for
reporting and future contact. Maintain and update program websites with current information.

5. HIRE, SUPERVISE, AND TRAIN PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS/STAFF - Recruit teaching staff for
workshop development and instructing.. Supervise program instructors/staff by approving time
reported, assigning tasks and projects, and training.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of experience related to position responsibilities. Examples of related experience include but are not limited to classroom science teaching experience (preferably at the secondary level), professional development design and delivery experience for teachers, outdoor teaching and learning, and grant writing experience. A combination of education and the above experience totaling six years is acceptable.

PREFERRED: Master's degree. A degree in Education, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a
closely related field.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
* Excellent work ethic; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
* Interpersonal skills (kind, respectful, supportive, etc.)
* Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and program
participants.
* Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds
* Strong organizer with attention to detail
* Creative problem solver
* Clear verbal and written communicator with competency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office
* Web page design experience
* Strong familiarity of phenology and birds
* Development and execution of educator professional development workshops for educators
* Grant execution, including budget and reports
* Ability to manage, develop, and deliver effective educational programs.
* Ability to work in outdoors in all weather conditions as needed for program workshops
* Ability to travel as needed for program workshops

Pay Range: $24.68 - $33.32; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides 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. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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