Executive Director, Sustainable Development Partnership, Minnesota Extension

In Minnesota, the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships focus on sustainable development in agriculture, natural resources and tourism. Each Extension partnership consists of a strong, engaged board representing community and University stakeholders. An opening for the Executive Director for the West Central/Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership is recently available.

Sustainable Development Partnership, Minnesota Extension

Location to be determined by time of appointment

Deadline: 2012/02/01

Essential Job Functions: work with Extension Regional Directors and others to develop programmatic and community-based partnerships in research, education, and outreach; work with the citizen-faculty Board, businesses, organizations, and agencies to improve the sustainability of West Central and Southwest Minnesota's agriculture, natural resources, and tourism; involve UM students and faculty in community based projects and groups; provide administrative support through student and staff supervision, contract development, budgeting, securing external funding and grants, and project oversight; maintain open communication between the WC/SW Partnership, the other four Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Statewide Coordinating Committee, the Statewide Director, the three Partnership colleges, and University faculty and administrators; and publicize and share project progress and outcomes within the community

Minimum Qualifications:

1. master's degree

2.  equivalent of 3 full years of experience in research, education, and/or community engagement 

3. Demonstrated experience in facilitating, organizing and leading diverse groups through decision making and planning processes

4. Demonstrated strong skills and abilities in oral and written communication, leadership and team building 

5. Demonstrated ability to work with people and organizations that represent significant diversity in culture, values, education, occupation, and income 

6. Demonstrated ability to work in a university setting and in rural communities

7. Demonstrated track record in grant writing and administration

8. Demonstrated knowledge and community networking capacity in one or more of the WC/SW Partnership's focused areas of sustainable development--energy, local foods/agriculture and natural resources/water quality 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. One degree or at least 3 years of experience related to sustainable agriculture, natural resources, energy, sustainable community development, or related fields

Application: Applications must include a cover letter, resume or vitae, transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), and names and contact information of three professional references. Applications must be submitted online here.

References my be submitted online as attachments in the "references" section of "Required Documents". Transcripts may be attached to the "additional document" section of "Optional Documents". 

Hard copies of transcripts for all college work that cannot be submitted online should be sent to: 

For questions, please contact Naaz Babvani, Extension Human Resources, Telephone: 612-624-7791.

For more information, visit: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp