Community Tourism Development Specialist

The University of Minnesota (UMN) Tourism Center, housed in UMN Extension’s Department of Community Development, is hiring a Community Tourism Development (CTD) Specialist to lead the CTD work portfolio at the Tourism Center, in collaboration with colleagues across the Department, Extension, and the UMN system, as well as external partners. The position will report to the Tourism Center director and will collaborate with colleagues to fulfill the missions of the Tourism Center, the Department of Community Development and the University of Minnesota Extension.

The CTD Specialist will join a high-impact and high-performance team passionate about communities and the tourism industry. The CTD Specialist will be expected to enhance and expand an Extension Tourism program recognized nationally and in Minnesota for its leadership in tourism programming, community coaching, and applied tourism research.

The Specialist will design, develop, and deliver research-based CTD programs and community coaching. This position will develop and lead an Area of Excellence (AoE) in CTD, a resource hub for Department staff that houses expertise and tools used to develop and support programs that serve communities. The CTD Specialist will develop, implement and share applied research on CTD that informs program development and contributes to successful and sustainable CTD work in Minnesota.

The Specialist will also build strong relationships with communities, stakeholders, and industry experts across Minnesota.

• Contribute to implementing the Tourism Center  strategic plan by assuming leadership of the CTD work portfolio at the Tourism Center.
  
  Responsibilities include:
  
  Revamping existing programs to offer greater flexibility and coaching opportunities to meet communities’ needs Creating and delivering research-based educational programs, in collaboration with colleagues, to support community tourism development in Minnesota Initiating, leading, and contributing to CTD programs and projects that meet the needs of Minnesota communities

Develop and lead the Area of Excellence (AoE) in CTD in collaboration with department colleagues, with support from the Tourism Center Director. This AoE will ensure Educators in the department are more attuned to communities’ CTD needs and better equipped to leverage CTD for community economic development, particularly in small rural communities. Contribute to other AoEs in Extension’s Department of Community Development as appropriate, e.g., placemaking, entrepreneurship, etc.

Collaborate with supervisor to establish, evaluate, and report on annual work goals, activities, impacts and outcomes that align with program-area priorities and demonstrate progress on required criteria associated with promotion in academic rank.

• Assume leadership of applied research related to CTD, by responding to communities’ inquiries, initiating, designing and implementing projects, and disseminating project results.. Given time, updating the Community Tourism Development Manual. Develop and secure funds and resources to support applied scholarship on CTD, through grants, fee-for-service, third party reimbursement and other means, in collaboration with faculties, Extension Educators, and partners. Collaborate with colleagues on the design, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of applied CTD research, with communication of findings tailored to be appropriate to the audience.

• Build and maintain effective relationships across the University of Minnesota and with public agencies, regional & economic development organizations, philanthropic organizations, communities, and other partners to stay informed and relevant, to leverage resources, and to strategically pursue external opportunities. Connect with Extension professionals working in tourism across the country, primarily through the National Extension Tourism Network. Support the Tourism Center Director in public relations and marketing for the Center.
  
  Utilize annual budget allocation to continue professional development via conferences, self- directed study, and other appropriate means of maintaining a high level of expertise.

• Master’s degree, at time of application, in tourism, community development, or a related field. Two years of professional experience in designing, developing and delivering programming and community coaching on CTD. Ability to apply research to program design, delivery and evaluation. Proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, communities, colleagues, partners, and participants. Experience in applying for external resources to support programs and applied research, including grants, fee-for-service, third party reimbursement and other means.
  
  Ability to design, implement and report on…