Program Leader, Community Economics

Working Title: Program Leader, Community Economics

Classification: Education Program Manager -2 (9342M2)

Program Area: Department of Community Development/Community Economics (CE)

Estimated Salary: $86,000 - $103,000, DOQ

Office Location: St Paul campus preferred (potentially Regional Extension Office TBD)

Reports to: Associate Dean and Department Head, Department of Community Development

Apply by: July 28, 2024

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Program Leader is responsible for the overall effort of the Community Economics team. They work with field- and campus-based faculty and staff to provide research-based educational programs that improve the ability of Minnesotans to lead, engage in public discussion, and improve the future of their communities. They lead and supervise Community Economics Extension Educators and other staff located throughout Minnesota and are responsible for ensuring that programs meet defined strategic goals, are research-informed, high quality, and impactful.

The Program Leader is responsible for program development and evaluation, resource management and development, the creation and maintenance of collaborations within and outside the University, scholarly activities related to the field, and management of budgets. The role requires the qualities and skills of a leader, manager, and scholar.

This is a full-time position reporting to the Associate Dean and Department Head of the Department of Community Development.

LOCATION OF POSITION

The Program Leader will be based on the St. Paul campus or in a Regional Extension Office (to be negotiated). Travel throughout the state is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Community EconomicsProgram Leadership (35%)

• Provide overall leadership for and management of the program planning and implementation process for the Community Economics team. The work of the Community Economics team may include community assessments, program design and development, piloting, delivery, teaching, and evaluation of non-credit educational programs and reporting of key outcomes and impacts.
• Ensure that programs align with goals, policies, and procedures of the University, the Extension mission and strategic priorities, and the priorities of the Department of Community Development.
• Ensure that programming supports the diversity and inclusion vision and agenda of Extension and Department of Community Development and is accessible and appropriate to new, diverse, and under-served populations.
• Oversee development of educational resources and to develop and implement effective communications, support consistent approaches to work, integrate programming priorities, and maintain uniform standards for performance.
• Actively participate on Extension and Departmental committees and teams as appropriate.
• Serve as a liaison to local, state and national networks to identify opportunities for collaboration, resource development, and program growth.
• Serve as member of the Department of Community Development Leadership team.

Community Economics Staff Management (35%)

• Lead a team of Community Economics Extension Educators and program staff who possess a diverse range of education, experience, skills, and research and programmatic interests.
• Provide leadership and direction to regular CE team meetings and training sessions.
• Manage the team in a manner that increases and encourages participation of diverse and underserved audiences in employment, program planning, and program attendance.
• Collaborate with Departmental leadership to attract, hire, supervise, develop, engage, and reward high performing employees.
• Coordinate the annual plan of work process for Community Economics, ensuring that the individual plans of educators adequately address department goals, meet ongoing needs, provide opportunities for the individual growth and development of educators and staff, and address emerging opportunities.

Resource Management and Development (15%)

• Lead and support a culture of educational entrepreneurship within Community Economics.
• Effectively manage the budget and resources of the Community Economics team.
• Apply for grants, develop contracts, and facilitate the development of resources that can support and/or grow Community Economics programming efforts
• o Cultivate a diverse portfolio of funding streams.
• o Manage relationships with the grants and contracting resources in Extension including the Extension grants staff, fiscal team, and development office.
• Work with Extension’s government relations, communications, and capital development efforts to facilitate resource development.

Internal and External Relations (15%)

• Work with the Extension communications staff to coordinate the marketing and communication efforts of Community Economics in conjunction with the Department of Community Development.
• Identify, build, and foster critical partnerships with individuals, foundations, organizations, and communities, to better inform and strengthen the Department of Community Development and the efforts of the Community Economics team.
• Build and strengthen relationships with Extension Specialists allied with the Department of Community Development and our collegiate departments on the twin cities campus and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at UMD and develop opportunities with other potential collegiate partners on any of the four University of Minnesota campuses.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

· Master's Degree (or equivalent or advanced degree) at the time of appointment. Degrees in education, economics, business, and social sciences such as public policy, planning, sociology, or related fields.

· Four years of post-baccalaureate professional experience in a community economic development related field. Relevant settings for this experience might come from higher education, adult education, Extension, state/regional/local government or development agencies, community, or interest-based organizations and/or foundations.

• Two years of demonstrated experience supervising professional staff
• Budget management experience.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively with individuals, organizations and communities representing new and diverse populations.
• Experience in the development of curriculum or adult education materials, adult pedagogy or similar areas in an adult, non-credit educational environment.
• Evidence of ability to implement and meet administrative responsibilities necessary for effective project, budget, grants and program management, implementation, and evaluation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a community economic development related field such as education, economics, business or public policy, planning, sociology, or related fields.
• Supervisory experience in a community economic development context. Relevant settings for this experience might come from higher education, adult education, Extension, state/regional/local government or development agencies, community, or interest-based organizations and/or foundations.
• Experience managing a team of professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals, organizations, and communities including experience with audiences from a variety of cultural, ethnic, language or literacy backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience providing leadership to multi-organizational projects, supporting teams, and developing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage conflict and effectively problem solve.
• Evidence of success in securing and administering grants and contracts.
• Experience working with rural, non-urban populations.
• Experience with Google tools as well as a range of qualitative and quantitative economic analysis and evaluation tools (e.g., Qualtrics, SPSS, etc.)

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming. Average travel will be approximately 200 miles per week in the first year and approximately 150 miles per week in subsequent years.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work, and Occasional overnight stays (12 to 15 per year).
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

ABOUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION

The Department of Community Development makes a difference by engaging Minnesotans to strengthen the social, civic, economic, and technological capacity of their communities. Faculty and staff of the department specialize in Community Economics (CE), Leadership and Civic Engagement (LCE) and Tourism. See more about the Department of Community Development at: https://extension.umn.edu/community-development

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension’s programming and employee engagement. Find further information at https://extension.umn.edu/

APPOINTMENT/SALARY/BENEFITS

1. Program leader positions have annual University academic professional appointments.

2. University of Minnesota appointment and benefits. Benefits package available https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M

3. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.

4. Salary commensurate with education and experience. The estimated salary range is $86,000 - $103,000 and will be negotiated at time of offer, along with office location.

TO APPLY

Please apply at: https://extension.umn.edu/about-extension/careers Job Opening ID: 362113

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions.

Please include the following attachments with your online application:

• · Cover letter

• · Resume or Vitae

• · A Diversity Statement- In 500 words or less, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives, and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your statement could include the following:

• o Personalized views and experiences

• o Topics through the lens of your own knowledge or experience

• o If you don’t have personal experience on a topic, reflect on why

• o Demonstrated learning and growth

Three professional references and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.

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

For questions about this position contact:

Stephen Jeanetta, Associate Dean, Department of Community Development, jeanetta@umn.edu.

For questions about applying online, contact:

Tiffany McMillan, Extension Human Resources, tiffmcm@umn.edu.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

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.

DIVERSITY

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value 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.