Job Information
University of Massachusetts Amherst Program & Professional Development Manager - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) in Amherst, Massachusetts
Program & Professional Development Manager - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE)
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/822/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=517702&lJobSourceTypeID=801&sLanguage=en-us) Job no: 517702
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department:Center for Agriculture
Union:PSU
Categories: Administrative & Office Support, Program Administration/Management, Agriculture/Extension, College of Natural Sciences
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE)
The Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) at UMass Amherst is a major educational outreach and applied research center of the university. Its component units include UMass Extension, (with programs in agriculture, youth development, nutrition education for low-income audiences, and clean energy), Mass. Agricultural Experiment Station (a funder of faculty research), the UMass Cranberry Station (the only research and educational institution devoted to cranberry production), the Water Resources Research Center, and four education and research farms located in western Massachusetts. CAFE employs about 150 people, funds research by about 65 faculty members, sponsors 17 CAFE Extension Faculty located within six academic departments and has community-based participants in each region of the Commonwealth.
Job Summary
Provide administrative, communication, educational, and organizational development support to professional educational staff in the programs and units of CAFE and members of the CAFE Extension Faculty. As a key member of the CAFE management team, the Program & Professional Development Manager will be responsible for supporting staff and faculty to develop online, on-campus and field-based educational programs, events, and materials and to navigate relevant systems within CAFE, colleges, and the University as a whole. This position is located on the UMass Amherst campus.
Essential Functions
Support faculty and staff to assist them in producing events such as public and internal meetings, workshops, and training. Events will be held both in-person and online.
Work with faculty and staff to increase their competence utilizing online learning platforms and tools. Assist in developing, managing, and delivering online educational resources. Foster linkages with other similar colleges and university-based resources.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify, locate, and perform outreach to potential audiences who have not been previously served by CAFE programs, with a special focus on underserved groups and locations.
Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion of faculty, staff, and participants with varied backgrounds, experience, and racial and ethnic representation.
Lead comprehensive efforts to provide orientation to recently hired staff and CAFE Extension Faculty.
Work with directors of CAFE programs and units to identify and define priorities for programs and professional development within their areas. Assist faculty and staff to develop new program opportunities for participants by conducting market research and assisting them to reach out to potential stakeholders and participants.
Train and assist faculty and staff in communication methods and appropriate branding. Provide support for electronic and hard copy mailings, web content development and analysis of effectiveness.
Act as a resource for faculty and staff when completing their day-to-day work.
Other Functions
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
In the performance of work, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction.
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS (College of Natural Sciences) community and across the campus in support of the University’s and Dean’s strategic priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Bachelor’s degree.
Three (3) years of program support experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience supporting professional development of others.
Demonstrated experience organizing complex meetings and events.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite, online collaboration tools, and cloud-based services.
Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students.
Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout Massachusetts as required.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Master’s degree in communications, business administration, education, organizational development, or related field.
Demonstrated experience and success in assisting employees to learn and use new IT resources.
Knowledge of and experience in higher education working environments.
Prior professional work experience at UMass Amherst. Knowledge of UMass Amherst online systems for IT (Information Technology), travel, and purchasing.
Previous professional experience in team-based, shared leadership environments .
Previous experience organizing and facilitating online events with significant public participation.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
This role will require some travel throughout Massachusetts as required.
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (37.5 hours/ week).
This role may require some work during weekends or evenings.
Salary Information
Level 25
PSU Hiring Ranges (https://www.umass.edu/humres/psu-salary-ranges)
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, Diversity Statement (see below) and contact information for three (3) professional references. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to the application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. http://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion .
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Advertised: Feb 2 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: