Principal Agent and Assistant Director
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Principal Agent and Assistant Director
Working Title: Assistant Director and State Program Leader for Family & Consumer Sciences
Position Number: 1 0 3 3 2 2
Category Status: 12 Month Tenure Faculty
Unit: University of Maryland Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences
Location: Symons Hall, College Park, Maryland
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The University of Maryland Extension (UME), within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, (AGNR) seeks a nationally recognized leader in Extension, outreach, and scholarship to serve as Assistant Director and Program Leader (AD/PL) for Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS). This position provides leadership and direction for UME’s FCS programs and faculty across the state. UME’s FCS program strives to advance health and socioeconomic development of individuals, families, communities, and organizations in Maryland through education, research, and outreach programs. The FCS works with youth, families, and communities to prevent and manage chronic diseases through healthy food and physical activity choices, handling food safely, teaching financial and health insurance literacy, addressing mental health needs, and creating safe and healthy places to live, work, play, and learn.
UME has four major program areas: Agriculture and Food Systems, 4-H Youth Development, Environment & Natural Resources and Sea Grant, and FCS. UME faculty and staff are located at offices in 23 counties and Baltimore City, the 4-H State office, SNAP-Ed State office, and five research and education centers. This position collaborates with Program Leaders, the Assistant Director of Program and Organizational Development, and the Assistant Director of Operations. At the local level, the position works with Area/City Extension directors. The position reports to the UME Associate Dean/Associate Director.
Duties and Responsibilities:
This AD/PL provides leadership and an expansive vision for innovation and excellence of interdisciplinary FCS programs. Responsibilities include identifying emerging issues, prioritizing programs, developing and maintaining university-wide and external partnerships, securing and managing resources for extension education and applied research projects, ensuring innovative and impactful program implementation, and advancing health equity and wellbeing.
Major responsibilities include:
• Providing leadership and oversight of FCS Extension programs, scholarship, and applied research projects.
• Securing and managing internal and external funding to support FCS extension programs and research projects.
• Providing direction for FCS programs including needs assessment, program planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of outcomes.
• Developing and maintaining external partnerships with multiple organizations and agencies such as academic institutions, local/state/federal agencies, industry groups, and non-profit organizations.
• Providing leadership and program evaluation to faculty in long-range planning, reporting, professional development and grants.
• Mentoring faculty to ensure clarity of expectations for Extension programming, scholarship, service and teaching, providing opportunity for success as an Extension Educator, while also instilling professional confidence and pride.
• Providing leadership, promotional guidance, and coaching to tenure track and professional track faculty.
• Conducting annual program and faculty evaluations, including approval of individual Extension plans and delivery of annual faculty reviews to county and state faculty and staff as needed.
• Providing annual reports on programs and impacts for Federal agencies and other organizations as appropriate.
• Facilitating collaboration among UME nutrition and health programs at county and state levels: including EFNEP, Maryland SNAP-Ed, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 4-H Healthy Living.
• Serving as a member of the UME administrative team, which includes program leaders in Agriculture and Food Systems, 4-H Youth Development, and Environment and Natural Resources.
• Assisting in recruitment, hiring and retention of faculty in critical areas of need for Extension while fostering a thriving environment in support of AGNR’s strategic values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect.
Required Qualifications:
• Candidates must have an earned doctorate degree, and must be able to be tenured in a department as a Professor, or tenured in Extension as a Principal Agent. At least one graduate degree, preferably doctorate, must be in a Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences/Human Ecology field of study or closely related area.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within Extension with significant recognition within a field of specialization.
• Outstanding record of research-based Extension/engagement programming.
• A demonstrated understanding and application of the Land Grant mission.
• Evidence in successful grant and contract acquisition and management for interdisciplinary approaches.
• Excellent scholarly work as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the UME’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect strategic plan.
• Evidence of leadership, teamwork, collaboration, excellence in human relationship skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Computer skills necessary for budget and administrative program management.
• Personal transportation and valid driver’s license required. Ability to travel statewide and nationally as needed.
• Evidence of capacity to build UME Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect capacity through Extension program model.
• This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check and University of Maryland Background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.
Salary & Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience. The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.
Applications: All candidates must apply online at https://ejobs.umd.edu. A complete application packet includes a cover letter, resume or CV, copies of transcripts and three (3) professional references, including names, mailing address, telephone numbers and an e-mail address.
Physical Demands: This is primarily an office position, but travel throughout the state to attend meetings and events is expected. This position frequently presents information through vocal and written communication. The ability to express or exchange ideas vocally is important. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations. There are times when extensive viewing a computer terminal and reading is required as part of the position duties.
Closing Date: For best consideration, complete application by January 30, 2023. Position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.
Vaccine Protocol
The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMD, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The
University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.