The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) currently has an opening for the Regional Director of the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) and reports to the Director of the MN Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).  NCR-SARE is a well-established regional program that is part of the national Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).  NCR-SARE consists of two main programs, namely the Research and Education Program (R&E) and the Professional Development Program (PDP).  The Regional Director holds a key leadership position that is responsible for jointly coordinating a mission-oriented program with an annual budget of approximately $4 million and a staff of approximately 8 people.  This is a 100%, 12-month, annually renewable academic professional and administrative (P&A) appointment with full benefits package requiring a master’s degree. 

The Regional Director holds a key leadership position that is responsible for jointly coordinating a mission-oriented program with an annual budget of approximately $4 million and a staff of approximately 8 people. This position works closely with regional PDP Coordinator and the NCR-SARE Administrative Council (AC) which is designated in statute to include representatives from throughout the region. The AC works with the Regional Director and the PDP Coordinator to establish the programs and policies that are implemented by the Regional Director and staff. The Regional Director and the PDP Coordinator are the primary spokespeople for the SARE program in the North Central region.

The Regional Director is responsible for preparing and presenting an annual budget for review and approval by the AC. The Regional Director orchestrates the operating procedures needed to insure efficient and equitable administration of the region’s competitive grants programs and the communication and outreach activities. The Regional Director collaborates closely with the regional PDP Coordinator on administrative issues including submission of the annual funding request to NIFA and ongoing program evaluation. The Regional Director provides administrative leadership for the research and education program, supervises and evaluates the professional staff, represents and promotes the NCR-SARE program, and serves as the liaison to the national SARE office.

The core activity of the NCR-SARE program is administration of several competitive grants programs. In concert with the Administrative Council, the Regional Director oversees the competitive process including preparing the call for proposals, recruitment of reviewers, dissemination of proposals for review, collection of reviewers’ evaluations and presentation of these reviews to the full AC for funding decisions. The Regional Director has an active role in post-award grants management including finalizing award agreements, authorizing changes after grants are awarded and collection of project reports. The Regional Director also works with the Communications and Outreach staff to publicize the availability of grant funding and the results obtained from funded projects.

Nature of Appointment: This is a 100%, 12-month, annually renewable academic professional and administrative (P&A) appointment with full benefits package. Annual renewals are contingent upon a successful performance review, continuing need for the position, and availability of funds.

Qualifications

 Required

• Master’s degree in discipline related to sustainable agriculture or natural resources
• Significant professional experience (6 years or more) as an educator, researcher or administrator with a demonstrated knowledge of sustainable agriculture principles and practices and an understanding of current agriculture and natural resource issues, technology, practices, agencies and organizations
• Good communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to engaging with a wide range of stakeholders representing diverse interests and perspectives
• Strong administrative skills

Preferred

• A Ph.D in a related discipline
• Familiarity with SARE goals, objectives and operations- Knowledge in outcome assessment and program evaluation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated commitment in sustainable food production and farming systems
• Strong interpersonal skills

Application Process

Apply on line via the Employment System here: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=101349

Applications must include a CV (max 5 pages), a cover letter summarizing how your skills and abilities meet the qualifications for this position, a copy of highest degree/transcript. Applicants are also asked to request at least 2 letters of reference be sent to the address below prior to the application review date. Review of applications will begin May 1, 2012. Interviews will begin the week of June 18, 2012. Ms. Betty Davidson College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, 277 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108. The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Program Background

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SARE is a national program that supports and promotes sustainable food and fiber systems. SARE offers competitive grants and other educational endeavors to farmers and ranchers, scientists and researchers, educators, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other people and groups exploring sustainable agriculture. SARE is comprised of four separate regional programs.

NCR-SARE seeks to promote research, educational programs, and professional development that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of agricultural sustainability in north central region. The region is made up of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Five grant programs currently support this mission: the Research and Education Grant Program, the Professional Development Program, the Farmer/Grower Grant Program, the Graduate Student Program, and the Youth Educator Program. 

NCR-SARE offers competitive grants and other educational endeavors for farmers, scientists and researchers, educators, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other people and groups exploring sustainable agriculture. The PDP initiative provides professional development opportunities for Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate educator members of the north central agricultural community in sustainable agriculture concepts, practices, and systems. The program was initiated in 1994 to enhance the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, systems, and concepts throughout the region. It is authorized by Chapter 3 of Subtitle B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990.