Working Title:            Assistant Statewide Director

Classification:             Community Relations/Outreach Specialist 1 (9341S1)

Appointment:             Full-time, Academic Administrative, annually renewable

Reports To:                Statewide Program Director, RSDP

Location:                    University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus (This is not a 100% remote position)

Application Deadline:  Tuesday, June 7, 2022

About the Position

The Assistant Statewide Director will support the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships’ (RSDP) statewide director to manage operations and overall logistics. RSDP is a University of Minnesota Extension, multi-college program. The RSDP consists of five regional programs and one statewide program led by boards composed of community 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 in four focus areas: agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities. 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 community representatives, and representatives of three partner colleges at the University of Minnesota.

The Assistant Statewide Director will work primarily with multiple Extension resource units (communications, evaluation, IT and finance) to support RSDP programming, both regionally and within focus areas of work.  Will also assist in managing administrative and programmatic relationships throughout Extension and the University, and will represent the RSDP statewide director when appropriate at meetings, and/or other events.

Major areas of accountability

1. Operations Management – Approximately 40%

• Work in partnership with RSDP statewide director to manage operations and logistics for RSDP, including quarterly statewide meetings
• Manage administrative relationships throughout Extension and other University academic units to build synergies and serve as contact point on administrative issues for the RSDP
• Serve on Extension committees as appropriate; represent statewide director and RSDP program on committees, as requested
• Provide support to statewide director as needed for areas such as annual federal reporting
• Represent RSDP at meetings and on committees as applicable to programming
• Serve as primary point person for the RSDP Student Engagement Director, connecting this work with the emerging student-related needs of RSDP staff and partners
• Assist with grant writing and grants project coordination
• Spearhead the development and implementation of effective operational strategies and processes, including communicating, maintaining, and updating the operations instructions of the RSDP
• Work with Extension central administration to 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. Program Team Coordination – Approximately 30%

• Direct, manage and/or coordinate projects and programs to ensure problems are resolved and appropriate 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 interdisciplinary programming by working with statewide director to facilitate connections between and among regional RSDP efforts 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
• Work in partnership with statewide director and regional directors to set, advance, and communicate priority focus areas and initiatives/projects that support Extension goals
• Direct RSDP program evaluation efforts, including working with the staff and partner reporting system, 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.  Coordination and Dissemination of Information – Approximately 30%

• Work in collaboration with statewide director to design and implement communication strategies
• Coordinate with Extension communications’ colleagues and conduct and integrate RSDP communications in keeping with Extension communication goals
• Provide regular content to the RSDP social media outlets
• Partner with each RSDP regional director to assess needs and to create systems and tools that increase communication effectiveness
• Produce the e-newsletter for the Regional Partnerships, including providing oversight to the newsletter contributions of the RSDP Sustainability Storyteller
• Responsible for ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness of information for RSDP communication projects, including web efforts and press releases

Appointment/Salary/Benefits

1. This is a full-time,12-month, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) appointment and is reviewed for renewal annually. Reappointment based on successful performance and availability of funding.
2. A full University of Minnesota benefits package is available: https://humanresources.umn.edu/new-employees/benefits-summaries 
3. Salary commensurate with education and experience, estimated minimum salary $70,000.
4. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
5. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. 

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Six (6) 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
• Experienced in Google and Microsoft application suites, and proficient in, spreadsheet and presentation software as well as basic teaching and communication technologies, including social media
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Highly organized with attention 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, Clean Energy, and Resilient Communities
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating, team building, and organizing and leading diverse groups through decision making and planning processes
• Coursework or experience with program evaluation

Additional Requirements: 

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance for travel.
• Personal cell phone that can be used, as needed, for work purposes and published in the Extension public staff directory.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time working on computer
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Experience with University of Minnesota Extension or similar programs
• Demonstrated ability to respond to a changing environment and meet deadlines
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Strong creative problem-solving skills