$76,000 - $90,000

Initial applicant review will begin on or around December 12th, 2022. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position is a 24-month contract and is eligible for full UC benefits.

This position, funded in part by the Build Back Better America initiative, will be part of a dynamic, successful team to build the future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The mission of our team and this program is to deliver research, education, and outreach programming that contributes substantively to inclusive regional economic development, solutions for a climate resilient future, technological innovation for all, and the future of our food system. The programmatic portfolio has a strong focus on equity and justice with attention to climate, water resources, and inclusive innovation. The incumbent will have opportunities for training and professional growth, connecting with peers and partners, as well as intellectual freedom in problem solving, creativity, and exploration of options. As part of the support team for the Fresno-Merced Future of Food Initiative, the Staff Director will have primary responsibility for supporting the research funding administration of the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge award for the Innovation Center in Research and Entrepreneurship in Agrifood Technology and Engineering (or iCREATE) project at UC Merced. UC Merced offers competitive benefits, substantial vacation and sick leave accrual, and consideration of individual needs. To learn more about the current work environment, visit citris.ucmerced.edu.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Under the direction of the Lead Principal Investigator and Faculty Director, the incumbent is responsible for project execution oversight and coordination to maximize effective project execution, not limited to project facilitation, partner coordination, and stakeholder engagement. The iCREATE Staff Director's primary focus will be to organize and facilitate iCREATE activities through collaboration with external partner coordination, including but not limited to the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), Cal State University, Fresno (Fresno State), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF). The Director will ensure successful program delivery and engagement with project partners, including the iCREATE Advisory Board and allied external partners. The Director will use their skills, knowledge, and experience to understand the program's needs and ensure all activities and efforts are aligned with the strategic goals. The Director will use program management concepts to resolve complex issues with political sensitivity, as well as exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results; serves as the subject matter expert for the program in support of the Faculty Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs and administers iCREATE project activities with complete responsibility for external administrative and programmatic content, including external project coordination and convening. Engages directly with project members, and future iCREATE 501c3 entity, to inform and facilitate partner coordination, agency engagement, and integration with academic Research & Development (R&D) and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) team.

• Manages stakeholder engagement, to include stakeholders external to iCREATE project membership (UC ANR, Fresno State, CDFA, and CVCF). Facilitates programmatic activity using effective communication to campus, regional, and international constituencies, such as to ensure transdisciplinary collaboration. Provides strategic guidance and input to leadership regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives, to ensure the perspectives and impact on key iCREATE partners are understood and addressed, to meaningfully incorporate stakeholders, and to respond to requests in a timely manner.

• Provides collaborative leadership and consultation, strategic planning, design, facilitation, and high-level project management on complex, multi-faceted challenges to achieve strategically aligned solutions. Serves on committees representing the program, participating in short- and long-term planning with internal and external partners. Serves as an advocate for strategic partnerships internally and externally.

• Develops unique solutions, working with senior leadership and/or their staff to address issues and implement solutions in alignment with the strategic goals of the iCREATE project. Participates in advanced strategic planning processes, including consultative engagement with Faculty Director, Senior Program Manager, and Staff Director in budgeting and accounting to support the financial administration of the program.

• Assesses iCREATE’s effectiveness, and recommends changes to iCREATE’s content, policies and procedures accordingly to ensure all funded activities are in alignment with iCREATE goals and strategic direction through formal and informal evaluation techniques.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and three years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in project management and execution, project facilitation, or a combination of education/experience as outlined. The candidate should possess actual work experience and possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. (Required)

• Advanced degree MBA. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated professional knowledge and operational expertise within designated area of program focus.

• Program planning, development, implementation, and leadership skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

• Ability to determine informational needs, to collect and analyze information, and to devise and develop statistical analyses and reports.

• Ability to develop and deliver both oral and written presentations.

• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources.

• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments. Ability to develop and implement funding strategies and programs.

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) “other”

Additional information? (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.