Program Manager For Nc Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative

Posting Number:

PG193360EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Program Manager forNC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday; 8am-5pm

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI)

About the Department:

The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) supports wide-ranging research, education and training, and extension by creating an environment and culture in which such learning activities can thrive through the convergence of interdisciplinary collaborations. Headquartered in the new NC State University Plant Sciences Building (opening early 2022), this new research and application ecosystem combines world-class assets from across a wide spectrum of disciplines including plant sciences, engineering, economics, modeling, and data analytics. The N.C. PSI builds partnerships among academia, industry, and government to maximize understanding of the challenges and opportunities, and ensure rapid delivery of solutions.

Essential Job Duties:

The 2023-24 North Carolina legislative budget allocated both NC State University (NC State) and NC Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) recurring funds to deploy data Analytics Platforms for agriculture initiatives. In doing so, NC State and NC A&T will work with SAS Institute, Inc. (SAS) to develop a platform that leverages data collection, management, and analytics to improve agricultural systems and agricultural profitability for North Carolina stakeholders. Funds are to be used for software, equipment installation, cloud hosting, and technical support needed to create and maintain the platform. NC State and NC A&T will collaborate in the creation and use of these platforms as much as is practicable.
NC State has created the role of Program Manager to help achieve the objectives of the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative. The person in this position will be responsible for planning and strategy, resource allocation and management, and management of the portfolio of projects utilizing this platform. The Program Manager will also actively facilitate and seek out opportunities to strengthen collaboration between NC State and NC A&T, acting as the primary point of contact between projects utilizing the platform at the respective universities. Specific job duties are outlined as follows:
Essential Job Duties

This position will be broken down primarily in the following areas:

• Research project management and facilitation (50%)
• Technical strategy and leadership (20%)
• Leadership of the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative Steering Committee (10%)
• Budgeting, forecasting, and reporting (10%)
• University and external collaboration (10%)
• 
  

This position will be responsible for leading all NC State activities relative to the development and operations of the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative including:

1. Responsible for identifying, organizing, budgeting, and reporting on all research projects supported by the legislative funding across NC State for agriculture initiatives. This will involve organizing requests for proposal (RFP) processes, reviewing incoming proposals, and providing documentation and recommendations to the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative Steering Committee for selection. The Program Manager is expected to partner with a diverse group of stakeholders in RFP reviews and project prioritization. It will also entail building diverse teams of faculty investigators and facilitation of meetings and workshops on behalf of research groups to ensure the effective execution of all relevant research projects.
2. Chairmanship of the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative Steering Committee, which will provide recommendations and guidance on the software, equipment, cloud hosting and services, data protection, and technical support needed to create a robust computing environment that can provide value across research groups with varied technical expertise. The position will work with the committee to ensure that projects recommended for funding are aligned with those priorities. The committee will be composed of NC State faculty, OIT staff (e.g., Research Computing Architect and Solution Developer), CALS IT (e.g., Research Computing Manager), the Data Science Academy Director of Agricultural Analytics, and industry representation. The Program Manager will be responsible for compiling and reporting bi-annual updates on the activities and decisions of the Steering Committee to the associate dean of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (NCARS).
3. Use organizational skills and technical knowledge to identify, troubleshoot, and track potential gaps and redundancies (e.g., resource, personal, financial) that can affect the successful execution of the program. They will work with the relevant PI (Principal Investigator) to identify existing resources or define new resources needed to address these gaps. Use understanding of software development strategies to work with the technical support staff to define reasonable goals and strategies for executing the project. They will also work with the PIs to assess if the current structure of the NC Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative is suitable for their project.
4. Work with PI and technical staff of projects utilizing the platform to outline realistic budgets and identify the appropriate IT infrastructure needed to execute the goals of the project. As appropriate, partner with PIs on grant development, submission and support.
5. Serve as a coordinator between NC State and SAS representatives and experts involved in the Ag Data Analytics program or individual projects under execution at NC State. This will involve ensuring that all projects have the appropriate and timely support from SAS experts and that associated contracts are effectively developed, processed and executed in alignment with appropriate units within the university.
6. Serve as the coordinator between NC State and leadership at NC A&T responsible for implementing the Analytics Platform for agriculture initiatives at that university. This will involve a continual level of coordination between the two universities and bilateral communication of each university’s approaches and priorities. Where appropriate, this may involve managing joint projects between the two universities.
7. Assist in the preparation and reporting to the Joint legislative Education Oversight Committee as mandated under the conditions of the allotted budget.

Other Responsibilities:

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree; or Bachelor’s degree with zero – two years’ of relevant experience in a field of science, technology, or engineering with affinity for researchcyberinfrastructure and the use of data analytics; or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience. For management‐level roles, also include with the above requirements 1‐2 years of supervisory experience.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Experience in a field of science, technology or engineering with affinity for the use of research cyberinfrastructure and data analytics approaches.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills, must be able to work effectively among university leadership, faculty, students, technical staff, and external partners;
• Understanding of software development strategies;
• Excellent project management skills;
• Ability to work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals;
• Ability to prioritize multiple, complex projects;
• Ability to work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to accurately compile budgets and follow expenditures;
• Solid analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a university environment with faculty, students and staff;
• Experience building and supporting diverse interdisciplinary teams;
• Experience in research implementation and/or administration of research efforts;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification or demonstrated equivalent experience;
• Familiarity with regulatory standards: FERPA, FISMA/NIST 800-53, FEDRAMP, etc.;
• Familiar with research data and software development life cycles, Research Computing Systems design, Data analysis and visualization and High Performance Computing.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

• Valid Driver’s License and the abilty to obtain a NC Driver’s License within 60 days of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

The incumbent will need to drive independently to and from meetings on and off campus.Valid NC Driver's License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

04/19/2024

Anticipated Close Date:

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach a Cover Letter, CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Position Number:

00110765

Position Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

1.00

Appointment:

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events:

Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID:

113001 - Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI)

AA/EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.