Regional Coordinator (Director) of North Central SARE

The Regional Coordinator (Director) of North Central SARE provides support to organizational personnel, develops positive external relationships, oversees budget and budgeting process, leads management of administrative and outreach activities, and facilitates strategic planning about programs, policies, and procedures.

The North Central SARE Regional Coordinator (Director) is preferred to be a 12-month, 1.0 FTE position. The position is located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. Remote work may be possible following U of M's remote work policy, and is contingent on the candidate needs and U of M requirements.

The North Central SARE Regional Coordinator (Director) may hold an adjunct faculty appointment at a rank appropriate to the candidate's background and experience in a department aligned with their scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Support the NCR SARE staff team. Accountable for the supervision of staff, support the development of all staff, and foster a culture of shared leadership, continuous improvement, and professional fulfillment.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Administrative Council (AC), NIFA SARE Director, CFANS administration and staff to support SARE's goals, identify and address challenges, and document accomplishments.
• Provide strategic leadership in grant-making. Provide leadership through supporting the Associate Director and staff in grant-making operations, including the development and implementation of the application, review, award, reporting, and evaluation processes.
• Support NCR SARE's continued efforts to address diversity, equity, inclusion and justice throughout our organizational culture, operations, programs, and relationships.
• Assure organization-wide understanding of roles and responsibilities; facilitate development and implementation of improvements in processes and policies when needed; lead new recruitment/orientation, guidance, and support for AC members.
• Engage in relationship-building to strengthen connections with SARE's stakeholders throughout the North Central Region. Stay informed and connected to the portfolio of research, education, and innovation in sustainable agriculture throughout the North Central Region.
• Represent NCR SARE to other SARE regions, NIFA, U of M, and to a wide range of regional and national organizations that engage with, or could engage with, SARE programs. Ensure ongoing communication throughout the region, and nationally, about our programs, contributions, challenges, and lessons learned. Ensure transparency and accountability with stakeholders.
• Develop and manage contracts and agreements between NIFA and U of M by preparing funding applications, leading the oversight of awards, and working with staff to assure effective financial management, analysis of results, submission of reports, and compliance with USDA-NIFA and U of M policies.
• Advise and support contracts and relationships with the Professional Development Program staff, ensuring strong and positive collaboration with their work and the work of SARE State Coordinators.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a field related to SARE's mission.
• Five years of program leadership experience, including budget and personnel management.
• Experience conducting applied research and/or extension and outreach projects related to sustainable agriculture.
• Experience building, leading and/or sustaining diverse collaborative projects.
• Experience writing and reviewing grant proposals, and/or managing grant funding.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion including the ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals with diverse identities and underrepresented groups.
• Experience utilizing a diverse range of technologies (Google Suite, Zoom).

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or other terminal professional degree in a field related to SARE's mission.
• Experience and proficiency with spreadsheet, word processing, database, and other software.
• Commitment to positively engage a wide range of stakeholders with a diversity of perspectives.
• Experience working with a hybrid/remote team.
• Experience applying and interpreting applicable institutional, local, state, and federal regulations, and related standards, guidelines, and policies.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners and various stakeholders.

This position requires frequent travel among worksites including travel to offsite locations throughout the North Central Region. Occasional travel, nationally, will also be required.

College Overview
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 27 programs: 14 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in disciplines involving food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences. CFANS also has 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.
At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Department Overview
This position serves as the Regional Director of the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR SARE) and reports to the Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). 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). The NCR SARE program encourages sustainable farming and ranching practices that are productive, economically viable, environmentally sound and socially rewarding. NCR SARE consists of two main programs, namely the Research and Education Program (R&E) and the Professional Development Program (PDP). The R&E program offers competitive grants for research and extension activities conducted by scientists, educators, producers and expert organizations. The PDP provides training for agricultural professionals and maintains an active outreach presence in each state in the region. The states of the North Central region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. For more information, please visit the NCR SARE website at: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/.

Pay Range: $140,000 - $160,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online at http://employment.umn.edu/ (search for Job Opening 367430). To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Application deadline will be April 25, 2025.

Required application materials:

1. Cover letter. Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail. Describe your interest in the position, your relevant qualifications and experience. Provide an overview of, and your perspective on, sustainable agriculture.
2. Statement of experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Describe your experience working engaging and working with historically underserved agricultural communities and how you will integrate this experience at North Central SARE. (Diversity Statement)
3. Describe in your own words what attributes make an effective grantmaking program. Describe your experience writing and reviewing grant proposals, and/or managing grant funding, and how your approach to effective and impactful grantmaking.
4. Curriculum vita.
5. Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references that will be contacted if you are deemed a final candidate.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).