Assistant Director, Fullers Overlook

Penn State Outreach is seeking an Assistant Director for Fullers Overlook to lead the development and execution of on-site programming and support the day-to-day operations of the property. This is expected to be a fully in-person position at the property, located in Lackawanna County 20-minutes north of Scranton, with limited opportunities for remote work. Fullers Overlook is Penn State’s 355-acre living laboratory for accelerating solutions to persistent and urgent landscape-scale challenges in Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond.

Stewarded by Penn State Outreach, this student-centered, university-wide, place-based resource prepares students for future careers and supports a wide range of research and creative activities with an emphasis on resilient and regenerative landscapes. Fullers Overlook is home to collaborative programming that brings together faculty, students, staff, practitioners, and community members to discover, convene and serve. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• In partnership with faculty, create programming for Penn State students such as standalone, interdisciplinary, student field research experiences that include a weekend intensive, "Introduction to Field Research", and a summer long Productive Landscape Field Research program to introduce students to hands-on research activities early in their education.
• Develop a student internship program to provide hands-on learning opportunities related to the operations of Overlook.
• Work with Student Affairs, Campus Recreation, Colleges, Campuses as well as other outreach units to develop student programming focused on wellness, community building, team building, and leadership skills.
• Collaborate with other Outreach units to develop new Outreach programming at Overlook and execute this programming for external audiences – non-profits, local governments, school districts, businesses.
• Organize and run an annual public impact research symposium with posters and presentations, including the work of Overlook Fellows.
• Working with Outreach Communications and Marketing, promote Fullers Overlook activities through social media and Penn State News stories.
• Develop and collect content for an annual Outreach publication highlighting Overlook research and its impact.
• Create “Broader Impacts” communication training with internal and external partners to assist Overlook Fellows and others in relating the impact of their research to the public.
• Develop relationships with local community groups, non-profits, school districts, governments, businesses and immediate neighbors.
• Work with Senior Administrative Coordinator to develop programming for local community members and neighbors.
• Attend local government meetings as needed.
• Working with the Director and all staff, ensure the successful onboarding of Overlook as a Penn State Property addressing legal, operational, procedural and policy issues and compliance.
• Address major issues on the property and unique circumstances as they arise, collaborating with multiple Penn State units including OPP, EHS, Public Safety, Real Estate, OGC, Procurement, and others.
• Support strategic planning efforts and execute the strategic action plan to achieve goals.
• With the Director, develop priorities for long-term improvements to Fullers Overlook buildings and landscapes and work with architects, engineers, consultants, OPP and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor to execute improvements.
• Provide oversight of major construction and landscape projects as well as forestry and lake management plans at Overlook.
• Plan and manage budgets for programs and services to meet assigned income and program targets; identify and pursue funding opportunities
• Generate and prepare reports; gather and analyze data, and make data-informed recommendations
• Track enrollment, completion, and satisfaction metrics to evaluate program effectiveness
• Conduct needs assessments and market research to identify new program opportunities
• Develop proposals and negotiate contracts; administer program grants
• Supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management