NATURE AND PURPOSE

Academic Coordinators are appointees who administer academic programs that provide service closely related to the teaching or research mission of the University. This service may be provided to academic departments, to organized research units, to students, or to the general public. Determination of the appropriate level for an appointment for an Academic Coordinator shall take into consideration such factors as program scope and complexity. The duties of an Academic Coordinator are primarily administrative. Individuals in an Academic Coordinator title who are assigned research or instructional duties are required to hold a dual title.

The Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS), a unit of the Institute of the Environment (IE), is a leader in the interdisciplinary study of critical water issues. This Academic Coordinator II will serve as Deputy Director of CWS. Under the general direction of the Center Faculty Director, working with the Institute of the Environment staff, the Deputy Director is responsible for the leadership and management of CWS. Areas of responsibility consist of Planning, Operations, Administration, Programs, and Facilities that support the CWS mission, including: Research Administration, Information Technology, Strategic and Budget Planning, Fiscal Oversight, Compliance and Risk Management, Human Resources and Personnel Management, Communication and Outreach, and Facilities Maintenance. The Deputy Director may instigate and manage a variety of complex multidisciplinary science and policy research projects involving personnel from departments and schools across the campus and funding from multiple project sponsors. With the Faculty Director, the Deputy Director may pursue funding opportunities to support areas in need of additional resources. Finally, the Deputy Director acts as a CWS representative on campus and beyond.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Coordination of Academic Programs (85%):

The Deputy Director reports to the Faculty Director, whose responsibility is overall center vision, strategy, and development. The Deputy Director provides operational, strategic, and administrative leadership for CWS, a program with a broad, interdisciplinary scope that involves faculty from multiple colleges and schools at UC Davis, other UC campuses, and public and private agencies. Primary responsibilities include administrative oversight, management, and development and coordination of complex research and outreach programs. The Deputy Director primarily fulfills their responsibilities independently but is also part of a collaborative executive leadership team with the Faculty Director and IE leadership.

Planning, Leadership and Research (35%)

Strategic and Budget Planning 
Assist the Faculty Director in setting strategic and budgetary objectives for the Center, developing an agenda to achieve those objectives, and maintaining progress on the agenda. Provide short- and long-term tactical planning and implementation to foster the successful development and execution of CWS projects; communication and cooperation with faculty in program areas; development of interdisciplinary collaborations; and initiation of programs that develop new directions. Formulate and negotiate budgets with appropriate campus and system-wide entities, in consultation with the Faculty Director.

CWS Operational Oversight
Assess CWS through data collection on CWS activities, including grant funding, publications, research, classes, and public engagement, to evaluate programs and direction to retain CWS’s position as a leader in watershed science. Use this information to prepare annual and other periodic reports and to prepare the Faculty Director for mission-critical meetings involving CWS. Make modest updates of the Center's organizational structure to maintain entrepreneurial nimbleness of CWS. Advise the Faculty Director on institutional developments, including the UC Davis Institute of the Environment, the Office of Research, and Safety Services. Provide direction for all CWS staff and academic personnel. Manage conflict resolution and team building. Develop short- and long-term staffing plans. Collaborate with the Faculty Director in seeking external funding through grants, contracts, and individual donors. Assist College and University fund development efforts to support CWS.

CWS Community Oversight
Maintain a positive, cooperative, and supportive environment consistent with UC Davis Principles of Community; provide leadership in a high-performance, challenging environment. Be a leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at CWS.

Administration and Supervision (35%)

Programmatic Administration 
Collaborate with CWS researchers in developing and supporting broad, interdisciplinary applied research proposals and projects that encompass several colleges and schools within the UC campuses. The support can include identifying potential funding and contracting opportunities, convening potential faculty and staff researchers, and providing administrative and programmatic support, guidance, and continuity for research teams. Maintain positive working relationships with administrative staff at IE, Office of Research, Office of the Provost, Office of the Chancellor, and other campus partners. Deputize for Faculty Director as needed.

Oversight
Oversee Center budgets, personnel, finances, facilities, and associated programs and projects, in coordination with IE staff. Manage personnel functions including workload, performance, recruitment, selection, training, mentoring, assignments, and performance standards in compliance with contracts and UC policies. 
Work with CWS personnel, regulatory agencies, and campus administration to ensure projects are in compliance with federal, state, and university standards.

Outreach (15%)

Oversee outreach planning and activities to make CWS research accessible and useful to internal and external constituencies, including campus and UC administration, media, current and potential funders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the general public. Foster and maintains positive, constructive relationships with these constituencies to create funding opportunities and increase the impact of CWS projects. Draft, review and edit a biannual newsletter and other communications, as appropriate.

Supervise and assist communications staff maintaining CWS website and social media content. Identify and develop grant applications and other funding opportunities for outreach.

II. Professional Competence (10%):

Participate in professional activities as needed, including attending conferences, webinars, and lectures, in research disciplines, project management, organizational leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Deputy Director provides intellectual leadership to drive or support research and education activities that further the research/outreach/engagement mission of the Center and the University. The Deputy Director will master new skills as necessary, including webpage creation, self-publishing programs, project management, and UC systems.

III. University and Professional Service (5%):

Participate in the administration of CWS, IE, and the University through appropriate roles in governance and policy formulation, as appropriate. Represents the University with external agencies and organizations serving on taskforces and committees, especially in areas related to the Center's expertise or involvement.

Department: https://watershed.ucdavis.edu/

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Masters degree in environmental sciences, natural sciences, water resources engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex organizations in an academic setting or comparative equivalent experience in an organization that has research and outreach missions.
• Experience obtaining funds for organizational/programmatic needs, including extramural funding from private sources, state or federal agencies.
• Experience developing media products, including authorship and editing of blogs, articles, interviews, advertisements and/or multimedia projects.
• Experience in developing, supporting, and implementing programs that foster diversity, equality, inclusion, and justice.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Familiarity with sampling, collecting, and monitoring techniques in natural systems.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• PhD or equivalent combination of education and experience in environmental sciences, natural sciences, water resources engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of financial oversight and management including monitoring of core organizational/programmatic budgets in the public section or non-profit sectors.
• Experience in organizational operations and/or facilities management.
• Ability to present scientific information to a variety of groups, including campus administrators, faculty, students, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Engagement with scientific or professional communities through societies or networks.
• Experience cultivating productive relationships with lawmakers or agency representatives.
• Experience working for/with non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
• Experience in academic program development, skill in scientific and public communications.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06832