Director, Western Rural Development Center
This is a 12-month, tenure-eligible administrative position, with a faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in an academic department appropriate to the disciplinary background of the successful candidate.
USDA CSREES
Logan, UT
Deadline: 2004/07/21
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Position Title: Director, Western Rural Development Center
Job # #2-107-04
Description: This is a 12-month, tenure-eligible administrative position, with a faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in an academic department appropriate to the disciplinary background of the successful candidate. As one of four USDA-sponsored regional rural development centers in the country, WRDC works with cooperating Land Grant Universities in 13 Western states and four Pacific territories to promote extension programs and research designed to strengthen rural communities, businesses and families. The Center facilitates collaborative research and outreach projects involving university personnel, policy makers, elected officials, and other community leaders and citizens to identify key issues shaping the future of rural regions of the West, and to organize projects that respond to those issues. The Center is a federally-funded organization hosted by Utah State University. The annual budget provided to the Center by USDA is approximately $350,000; Utah State University provides office facilities and some additional operating funds to supplement this federal allocation. Current Center staffing includes the Director, a full-time Staff Assistant, a full-time Writer/Editor, and a part-time Senior Research Associate. The Director works closely with a Board of Directors representing regional Land Grant Universities as well as a Steering Committee comprised of extension professionals, academic researchers, and others representing a range of rural development agencies and interests to define Center goals and identify key project priorities.
Responsibilities: This is primarily an administrative appointment, with responsibilities focused on management of the Center's budget, staff, programs and activities. The Director is also expected to maintain a record of scholarly research and extension contributions consistent with an academic appointment at Utah State University, centering around activities that advance the mission of the Center. Specific responsibilities including:
Budget planning, budget management and preparation of budget reports and annual progress reports as required by USDA.
Effective supervision of WRDC staff.
Promotion of the Center's mission and program through interaction with and dissemination of information to university-based extension specialists and researchers, policy makers, public agencies, clientele groups, and funding organizations.
Collaboration with the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee in defining Center goals and project priorities and in reporting Center activities and accomplishments.
Cooperation with directors of other regional rural development centers and USDA specialists at the national level to define common goals and pursue joint initiatives.
Effective interaction with rural development interest groups and organizations in the West that exist outside of the Land Grant system, including other academic institutions, state agencies, non-governmental organizations, etc.
Generation of extramuralfunding through grants, contracts, and development efforts to support programs consistent with the WRDC mission and program priorities.
Fostering multi-state rural development extension and research programs in the Western region.
Facilitating collaborative relationships between Land Grant programs and other organizations involved in various rural development research and extension activities.
Qualifications: PhD in agricultural economics, rural sociology, or a closely-related field, with primary emphasis on rural economic and/or community development. A strong record of scholarly productivity in research and extension/outreach sufficient to merit appointment with tenure in an appropriate academic department is required. Preference will be given to candidates with proven experience in collaboration and partnership facilitation; experienced leadership in interdisciplinary programs; administrative experience in management of budgets, accounts, and staff; an established record of success in securing extramural funding; knowledge of the USDA/Land Grant system; familiarity with a variety of organizations engaged in rural development activities; and ability to effectively articulate rural development needs and priorities to Experiment Station and Extension Directors, faculty, policy makers, funding agencies, media, and other collaborators. Experience with rural development issues affecting the Western region is desirable.
Rank and Salary: This is a 12-month tenured position at the rank of associate or full professor. Salary is competitive and negotiable.
Application Review: Review of applications will begin 26 March 2004; position will remain open until filled.
Starting Date: July 1, 2004 or as negotiated.
Apply: Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, and names and contact information for at least three references to:
Professor Richard Krannich
WRDC Search Committee Chair
Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
0730 Old Main Hill
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-0730
Phone: (435) 797-1241; Fax: (435) 797-1240; E-mail: richard.krannich@usu.edu
Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, sensitive to the needs of dual-career applicants. The University was recently chosen as a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Gender Equity Program recipient, and is dedicated to recruiting stellar candidates from a diverse pool including women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. USU is a Carnegie Doctoral Extensive (Research I) institution with a growing enrollment of over 20,000 students. It is located in Logan, a city of 43,000 at the center of a broader community of 100,000. Located in a picturesque mountain valley in Northern Utah with outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities, Logan is approximately 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. USU offers competitive salaries and outstanding medical, retirement and professional benefits (see http://personnel.usu.edu for details).
