Associate Director

Division/College:
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Department: WRDC (Western Rural Development Center)

Position Overview

The Associate Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the mission of the WRDC by supporting day-to-day operations, promoting collaborative multistate projects and driving research and outreach efforts that strengthen rural development across the Western United States. The Associate Director will work closely with the WRDC Director to guide programmatic initiatives, identify research theme leaders, support grant projects, and facilitate integrated teams across research, education and extension functions.

A central responsibility of this position is to lead a regionally relevant extension program and establish a complementary research agenda that addresses pressing rural development challenges. The successful candidate will also engage with stakeholders, publish scholarly and extension materials, lead integrated research and Extension projects, and ensure that WRDC‑supported projects align with institutional and regional priorities. Duties may include:

• Support the WRDC Director with daily operations, oversee funded projects, manage budgets, track deliverables and prepare reports
• Lead integrated research and Extension initiatives focused on rural development in the Western U.S., ensuring quality, ethical standards and scholarly contributions
• Write and disseminate peer‑reviewed journal articles, curricula, Extension bulletins and educational resources; deliver workshops, webinars and community outreach activities
• Work with multidisciplinary and multistate teams, faculty and stakeholders to set priorities, develop coordinated initiatives and provide technical leadership
• Develop methods and guidelines for Extension programs, conduct and publish research, and support projects
• Represent WRDC on review panels and committees, peer‑review scholarly work, and supervise students or project staff as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience

• Two (2) years of research and/or Extension experience in rural development
• Experience with U.S. rural community development issues; demonstrated knowledge of issues facing U.S. rural community development issues may substitute for this experience

Required Education

Ph.D. in applied economics, rural sociology, political science or closely related field

Required Other

• Ability to travel
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including weekends and holidays
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet policy requirements for driving university‑owned vehicles

Additional Preferred

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated record of research and Extension achievement
• Experience serving as PI or Co‑PI on extramurally funded projects
• Knowledge of the U.S. land grant university system
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with constituents, clients and the general public

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

None

Degree Requirement

Listed degree qualification is required at time of application

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employee Category

Exempt

Pay Range

$86,153.60 or higher depending on experience

Type of Appointment

_of_Appointment

FTE

1.0

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Funding

This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy:
Uncertain

Accepted

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