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The Itasca Biological Station & Laboratories of the University of Minnesota (UMN) is located in Clearwater County at the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is near the meeting point of the three largest North American Biomes -- the needle-leaved Coniferous Biome reaching north to the arctic, the broad-leaved Deciduous Biome stretching east to the Atlantic, and the Prairie Biome stretching westward to the Rockies. At this ecotone, and approximately midway between the equator and the North Pole, Itasca is an ideal place to study and teach the diversity of North American ecosystems. Itasca State Park receives over 600,000 visitors per year, with a high percentage of overnight stays, so the field station is also an ideal place for engaging the public.

This field station is a part of The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) at the UMN. In order to achieve inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff, CBS is committed to the foundational scientific practice of examining assumptions and biases. The CBS community believes that community self-awareness, active institutional efforts, and individual advocacy will help remove barriers for the success of all community members across differences, including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and socioeconomic status or background. The Associate Director at Itasca will lead with this commitment.

Job Description: Associate Director

Essential Functions

45% Administrative and Leadership 

• Compile Itasca’s progress metrics, budget requirements, and staffing needs and, in conjunction with the Station Director, communicate them to leaders in CBS and the greater University community.
• Partner with the Itasca Director to create staffing, maintenance, and outreach plans that align CBS’s diversity equity and inclusion goals and the station’s budgets
• Lead, mentor, and manage a variety of different team members in human resources, finance, operations, and undergraduate summer student assistants

â‹35% Curriculum, Teaching, Outreach

• Field course coordination (working with Director) – Curricular decisions, Director of Undergraduate Studies outreach, recruitment, learning outcomes, pre-requisites, student experiences, student services oversight
• Onboard students and faculty as a Living Learning Community
• Work with the Director to develop creative strategies to foster the College of Biological Sciences diversity and inclusion goals (e.g. working with the Operations Associate to enhance e-presence, developing diverse partnerships, etc.)
• In time, develop and teach (or co-teach) a field course that matches discipline
• With an eye on equity, diversity and inclusion, invite University and community stakeholders to develop and lead programming that enhances researchers’ opportunities, student experiences, and regional connections with Itasca
• Promote, develop and coordinate regular seminar series, research meetings, and targeted collaborations with multicultural organizations

20% Research Coordination 

• Coordinate researchers, proposal reviews, site usage, and reporting metrics, with help of station scientists
• Manage regular seminar series, research meetings, and targeted collaborations
• Collaborate with other scientists in research and research community-building 

Required Qualifications:

This job requires either 1) working in-person at the Station year-round (no Station housing offered), or 2) residing on-site at the Station during the summer season (mid-May through mid-September, Station housing offered) and working on the St. Paul campus for the remainder of the year. When living on-site, you may be required to assist users after hours.

• Ph.D. in biology, ecology or related scientific field with field-based experience or a Masters with substantial experience in the required areas 
• A commitment to public outreach and the ability to build diverse community partnerships and inclusive educational programs
• Excellent communication skills and experience effectively working with researchers, and students from diverse backgrounds
• Familiarity with operations at a remote field station
• A record of working autonomously and providing leadership and direction remotely 

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing and updating educational programs 
• History of managing team member performance, development, and retention in a manner that respects individual differences
• Experience teaching college-level students
• Strong familiarity with creating and managing organizational budgets

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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