Water Resources Center Education and Outreach Manager

About the Job

Position Overview

The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center seeks applications for an Education and Outreach Manager to oversee the design and implementation of Center-wide educational and outreach programming. The position will report directly to the WRC Director and will allow the Center to invest in new strategic priorities in undergraduate and graduate water-resources education, workforce development, science communication, and applied research.

In particular, the Education and Outreach Manager will work with center leadership to design and implement the following initiatives:

* Design, develop and launch a new University-wide student fellowship and professional development program for undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers related to water science, management, or policy.

* Relaunch the Headwaters Lecture Series - a program that brings nationally-recognized water leaders to campus for a seminar and public programming.

* Revamp, administer, and teach an existing online University of Minnesota extension course designed to upskill watershed practitioners (Watershed Specialist Training course).

To execute these projects, we seek candidates with demonstrated experience in program management and the design and delivery of educational or outreach programming. We are looking for motivated and charismatic leaders who are excited to bring their own ideas and creativity to create high-quality, high-impact programs that appeal to university and external audiences.

In addition to the above programs, we imagine the Education and Outreach Manager will assume project or programmatic management responsibilities for new research or educational opportunities as they arise. This may include project management for applied water research, cultivation and development of new partnerships with non-profit organizations, state agencies, local units of government, or private sector firms. The Education and Outreach Manager will be expected to cultivate relationships with key water stakeholders in Minnesota and regionally and play a lead role in identifying promising new partnerships around applied research or education.

The candidate will be expected to provide leadership over multiple projects, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and diverse and distributed teams. Strong applicants will have demonstrated competencies in facilitation, program management, coordination and leadership of interdisciplinary teams, experience teaching or leading public educational programming, and prior supervisory experience. Some academic or professional experience in water resources management, policy, or practice in Minnesota is required.

Responsibilities

70% Educational and outreach program administration and leadership

* Research, design, and implement programming for water-related undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Minnesota.

* Identify professional development needs of students and develop programming to support workforce development and skill building that will help them advance careers in water policy or management.

* Design recruitment materials, advertise programs, and review applicants.

* Lead program reporting and assist with program evaluation and administration

* Build and maintain relationships with external partners to understand their workforce needs and serve as a liaison between partners and WRC staff and researchers to ensure educational programs are relevant and responsive.

* Develop educational materials for non-academic audiences including online publications, interactive e-learning modules, peer-to-peer extension education

* Review and revise existing watershed specialist training curriculum and adapt online content to contemporary water resource management contexts.

* Organize and facilitate seminars, workshops and other events for university and public audiences

* Coordinate with WRC communications, outreach, and administrative staff to ensure effective and efficient communication and administration of new initiatives and programs.

30% Project management for applied water research and policy analysis

* Prepare reports, factsheets, research summaries, and white papers that synthesize findings to provide accessible information and recommendations to state and local managers, as well as other stakeholders.

* Grant writing and submission, including assisting with researching, writing, revising, and submitting proposals; develop budgets, conduct literature reviews, coordinate materials for multi-state partnerships, and work with departmental staff to complete the grant proposal submission process

* Assist with grant management, which includes tracking project budgets, writing progress reports, ensuring project objectives (research, education and outreach) are accomplished, and setting up and attending regular meetings with team members

* Assign project workload and directives, develop project timelines, and coordinate project plans to ensure timely completion

* Mentor and…