NREEC Seeking Director Agriculture Operations

Position Title                                                                                                                                     

Director Agriculture Operations

 

Job Description 

Research, Extension, and education center directors report to the CAFNR Associate Dean for Research and Director of the AES. Center directors play a key role, individually and as a group, in CAFNR’s research, education and Extension and engagement missions.

Northern REEC (NREEC) is composed of three farms, the Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Farm (1,390 acres in Novelty, MO), Cornett Farm (1,200 acres in Linnaeus MO), and Thompson Farm (1,600 acres in Spickard, MO) located in northern Missouri. The Center farms total more than 4,000 acres that serve as field laboratories for the University of Missouri’s researchers, and host thousands of visitors each year for Extension and outreach activities. This Research, Education and Extension center serves North Missouri. Research is conducted on agronomic and forage crops beef cattle, and natural resource utilization and weather, all important to the region. The Center provides education and outreach programs and Center faculty provide formal educational opportunities to local, including nontraditional, students and regular courses to MU students via online platforms enhancing the learning experience of each by bringing real-world applied research to the classroom. The Center is a key link between the MU campus and residents of North Missouri.

Responsibilities and Duties

Research, Extension, and education center directors report to the CAFNR Associate Dean for Research and Director of the AES. Center directors play a key role, individually and as a group, in CAFNR’s research, education and Extension and engagement missions. Center directors have strategic involvement in planning, budget, facilities, outreach, education, and research. Center directors are expected to support faculty and programs, promoting the highest quality research, demonstration, educational and Extension programs, and public service at their respective center. Moreover, center directors are key participants maintaining external relations between the university and agricultural and natural resource community, including fund raising, alumni relations, economic development, and community relations. Each director must be effective in representing their Center, College and University with internal and external stakeholders. They are expected to be strong representatives of CAFNR and MU within their community. Center directors have accountability for their centers’ sound management of resources: fiscal, facilities, and human resources.

This position will oversee and guide the day-to-day operations that will include but not be limited to the following:

• Supervise farm managers; interview, select, and evaluate performance of support staff. Ensure that faculty and staff needs are met for successful research, education, and Extension programs.
• Provide supervision and evaluation of resident faculty jointly with Division Directors
• Engage research center faculty and staff in discussions of all important issues, assuring a positive, high-quality working environment, convening strategic, intellectual discussions about future directions of the center and its programs.
• Create and implement a strategy to unite REEC with a shared vision. Establish a common set of values that reflect the UMCREEC community, while identifying goals that will unite the faculty and staff. The plan must be in concert with the MU and CAFNR strategic plans.
• Work with the CAFNR advancement office to create a strategy for targeted gifts and donations.
• Coordinate activities of the units making up the REEC to assure efficiency of operations.
• Work closely with campus faculty and stakeholders to ensure that facilities and resources are available that advance the research, education, and Extension missions of the University.
• In cooperation with MU Extension, coordinate and conduct Field Days, workshops, training sessions, tours, and other events in support of agricultural producers and educational programs about food, agriculture and natural resources; Develop community relationships and partnerships by actively pursuing events to encourage community interactions and involvement to enhance Center visibility and presence at functions throughout Missouri; Work with CAFNR Communications to successfully disseminate information through various formats including social media.
• Assist the University with student recruitment in their region (E.g., Career Exploration Days, alumni relations)
• Manage operating budgets; Plan and prioritize activities fulfill the missions of the Center while remaining fiscally responsible; Identify and support capital needs.
• Work closely with state and regional commodity groups and other state agricultural agencies in cooperation with the AES Director to bring financial and other resource support to Center programs and facilities.
• Help establish collaborations with other colleges at MU or other universities and private sector (e.g., public-private partnership) to enhance the mission of the Center
• Organize and nominate members for an advisory committee (10-12 members) that acts as an advocacy group for the Center, MU and CAFNR, in general (Note: Appointments will be made by the AES Director) and serve as an ex-officio non-voting member on the committee
• The successful candidate will have the option to conduct their own research, Extension, and educational projects from extramurally funded sources.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with expertise in the problems of and potential for Missouri agriculture and appreciation for the contribution of the REEC to educational opportunities for MU students. This person will be responsible for building and growing a cohesive team who will be responsible for the success of the REEC.

Salary Range: $71,900 - $145,044

GGS: 013

University Title: Director Agriculture Operations

Shift Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; some evenings and weekends may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

A Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

A Ph.D. in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Supervisory experience preferred.

Closing Date

Review of applications will begin as they are received and continue to be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application Procedure

Please submit a resume including a letter of application explaining suitability with qualifications sought, and contact information for at least 3 references. Applications should be submitted at the following website: https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/staff Job ID 38225

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to
Human Resource Services
at

(573) 882-7976 or muhrs@missouri.edu.

Benefits Eligible

This position is eligible for university benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on university benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefit

Diversity Commitment