Associate Director - Itasca Biological Station (University of Minnesota)

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.

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

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 

Black Rock Forest (BRF) is a growing environmental non-profit organization with programs in
research, education, and conservation and is seeking a Director of Education. The organization’s
facilities, including offices, labs, classrooms, and a lodge, are located in the 3,920-acre Forest of
the same name in Cornwall, NY. BRF has a staff of 15 and functions as a biological field station
with 26 miles of hiking trails and another 17 miles of gated forest roads.

Position Summary:
The Director of Education at Black Rock Forest will be responsible for bringing state of the art
educational programming to K-16 students, teachers, and the general public to foster scientific
inquiry. The Director of Education will work closely with the Executive Director, Science and
Conservation staff, and Consortium Members to strengthen the organization and advance the
mission of advancing scientific understanding of the natural world through research, education,
and conservation programs.

Job Description:
• Manage the Education Program including participating in strategic planning, supervising
staff, managing budgets, and overseeing classroom and laboratory space.
• Serve as program-level liaison between Black Rock Forest and the institutional members
of the Black Rock Forest Consortium.
• Collaborate with teachers, researchers, program staff, and consortium members to
develop new activities and curricula including use of the recently renovated Moretti
Education Center.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead forest explorations and lab investigations in science and related
disciplines for groups of students from elementary school age to college
• Support logistics for school groups and public education visits, including adherence to
appropriate policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all educational programs promote cultural competence, diversity, equity, and
inclusion
• Manage online access to forest data and curricular materials (e.g., Peck Stacpoole Online
Education Collection)
• Maintain physical educational resources including field equipment and lab spaces in the
Moretti Education Center, overseeing purchasing as needed
• Support integration of technological advances in education including the use of
smartphone app innovations and digital data collection tools
• Support community science activities in the Forest for students and the public
• Leverage operational budget by writing grants and seeking funds to expand the BRF
education programs.
• Occasional travel to New York City and throughout the Hudson Valley for meetings and
events, as well as some work on evenings and weekends, is required.

Qualifications & Experience:
• Bachelor’s and graduate degrees, preferably in environment-related sciences and/or
education, especially STEM/STEAM education.
• Significant training and teaching experience in a range of K-12 educational settings in
disciplines related to the biological and physical sciences.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience with promoting diversity, equity, and
inclusion in teaching and in organizations.
• Experience designing hands-on and inquiry-based learning activities, includingexperiential and transdisciplinary education, with a view to adapting for different age-groups and audiences, including youth of color, immigrants and underserved youth.

• Proven superior communication skills (written, oral, digital) for a wide range of age-
levels.

• Creative, dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and willing to work with a variety of
audiences.
• Experience in the use of technologies for teaching and learning including video
production and editing.
• Knowledge of the Hudson Highlands’ ecology, forest ecosystems, history, and
conservation desired, though not essential.
• Willingness to work and hike outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Additional Information:
At Black Rock Forest we value diversity, in our ecosystems and in our organization. We are
committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and in our science, education, and
conservation. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented group members as we
seek to diversify and strengthen our organization, science, and society.

Application Materials:
(Any questions please contact Susanne Vondrak at offic[email protected])
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information of three professional references
• Statement of Educational Philosophy (max. 2 pages)
• Recommended:
• Forest-related lesson plan that you have used and/or created, and a written reflection
on the lesson activity. OR:
• Brief video (max. 10 min) of sample teaching (outdoor or indoor forest-related
lesson) and written reflection on the activity.

Application Deadline: Monday December 19, 2022 5pm EST
Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 per year plus competitive health and retirement benefits
Start Date: January 2023 or later
Driver’s license necessary

The successful candidate will have a strong background in the natural sciences and experience in

teaching for diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor settings, providing programs for a variety of age-
groups from K-12 to adult audiences. The candidate should also have experience supervising staff and/or

interns and managing programs ranging from day trips to summer camps. Experience in environmental
and/or educational research is preferable but not required. In addition to direct teaching, the candidate
will serve as program-level liaison between Black Rock Forest (BRF) and the institutional members of the
Black Rock Forest Consortium. They will work closely with BRF’s research and conservation staff to bring
state of the art programming to the varied constituent audiences of Black Rock Forest. The candidate
should be creative, dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and willing to work with a variety of audiences
including teachers, researchers, and conservationists to develop and implement relevant programming in
the 3,920-acre forest.

Job Description:
● Plan, coordinate, and lead as needed forest explorations and lab investigations in science and related
disciplines for groups of students from elementary school age to college
● Liaise with program staff at consortium member institutions, including visiting schools, meeting with
educators, and presenting to groups
● Collaborate with teachers to develop new activities and curricula for consortium member use
including use of recently renovated Moretti Education Center
● Support logistics for school groups and public education visits, including adherence to appropriate
policies and procedures
● Connect Black Rock Forest research and conservation programs to education programs
● Track forest visits and curate data collected on school group visits, and make these data readily
available to consortium audiences
● Manage online access to forest data and curricular materials (e.g., Peck Stacpoole Online Education
Collection)
● Maintain physical educational resources including field equipment and lab spaces in the Moretti
Education Center, overseeing purchasing as needed
● Support integration of technological advances in education including the use of smartphone app
innovations and digital data collection tools
● Support community science activities in the Forest for students and the public
● Recruit and supervise education interns
● Participate in grant writing to expand the BRF education team and programs
● Ensure that all educational programs promote cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion

Qualifications and Experience of the Successful Candidate
● Bachelor’s and graduate degrees, preferably in environment-related sciences and/or education,
especially STEM/STEAM education
● Significant training and teaching experience in a range of K-12 educational settings in disciplines
related to ecology and forest ecosystems
● Experience designing hands-on and inquiry-based learning activities, including experiential and
transdisciplinary education, with a view to adapting for different age-groups and audiences, including
youth of color, immigrants and underserved youth
● Demonstrated cultural competence and experience with promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in
teaching and in organizations
● Knowledge of field equipment and methods, data collection and analysis
● Proven superior communication skills (written, oral, digital) for a wide range of age-levels
● Experience in the use of technologies for teaching and learning including video production and editing
● Knowledge of the Hudson Highlands’ ecology, history, and conservation desired, though not essential

Application Materials: Send the following to Susanne Vondrak at [email protected]:
● Cover letter + Resume + Names of Three References
● Statement of Educational Philosophy (max. 2 pages)

 Recommended:
• Forest-related lesson plan that you have used and/or created, and a written reflection on the
lesson activity. OR:
• Brief video (max. 10 min) of sample teaching (outdoor or indoor forest-related lesson) and
written reflection on the activity.

Application Deadline: Rolling until the position is filled

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Start Date: Fall 2022 or later

Driver’s license necessary

The Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center (SDCC) is a not-for-profit lodging and event venue
in Ajo, Arizona, located on the historic Curley School campus. Housed in the former elementary
school, the SDCC welcomes groups for conferences, workshops, retreats, reunions, and
weddings, as well as individual travelers. In addition, we host community events and the Sonoran
Arts Residency, which draws visual and performing artists from across the country and around
the globe. The SDCC is a supporting not-for-profit of the International Sonoran Desert Alliance
(ISDA), a 29-year-old organization devoted to preserving and enriching the environment, culture,
and economy of the Sonoran Desert.

Since opening in 2015 we have hosted thousands of individuals and dozens of groups, earned a
5-star rating and an annual Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, and played a vital role in the
ongoing revitalization of this former copper mining town. Our staff has grown from two people
to a team of 15. We aren’t simply an inn; we are a destination, a gathering place, and a
centerpiece of Ajo’s growing creative economy. We’ve been covered in newspapers, radio and
TV in Arizona, as well as in national and international publications, including The Atlantic and
National Geographic Traveler.

The Director oversees all aspects of operation for the SDCC, guides the evolution of the property
and the business, and plays a key role in the development of the culture and economy of Ajo. We
are seeking someone professional, energetic, entrepreneurial, articulate, proactive, and
organized, with management, customer service and/or hospitality experience, a knack for team
building, and a passion for the Sonoran Desert region.

Responsibilities
The SDCC Director has a broad and diverse set of responsibilities – all aspects of running the
business are in their hands, and they are the public face of the operation. It is a hands-on
leadership position that requires an experienced professional who is comfortable managing a
budget, creating unforgettable experiences for guests, representing Ajo at national conferences...
and rolling up their sleeves to unclog a toilet when needed. We’ve divided the key responsibilities
into five categories:

1. Operations
● Oversee the daily functioning of the Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center
facilities, including guest rooms, meeting rooms, commercial kitchen, artisan’s
shop, and courtyard spaces;
● Implement and update systems and policies to ensure efficient, effective, and safe
use of all SDCC spaces;
● Hire and oversee/manage office, housekeeping, and overnight staff (team is
currently around 15 people). This is a structure that can evolve;
● Collaborate with ISDA on the care of the historic buildings and grounds;
● Collaborate with ISDA on the ongoing development of/improvements to SDCC
facilities, including additional guest rooms and outdoor areas.
● Oversee purchasing of all needed supplies for the operation of the business;

2. Marketing and Outreach
● Lead marketing and outreach efforts to ensure consistent bookings and
profitability of the SDCC;
● Target groups for retreats, conferences, workshops, etc., with a goal of developing
lasting partnerships and recurring events;
● Tap into existing and new networks to increase visibility of the SDCC;
● Partner with local organizations and leaders to create, promote and manage
events;
● Manage website, print, and social media marketing efforts.

3. Special Programs
● Serve as the host and ambassador for group events, including speaking before
groups, welcoming guests to meals, and giving tours of Ajo to guests;
● Develop and implement mission-driven events and residencies (arts, desert
scholarship, international border, local foods, etc.);
● Design and implement a menu of educational and cultural offerings for SDCC
guests that draws on local entrepreneurs and resources;
● Promote the commercial kitchen for a variety of uses including catering, cooking
classes/demonstrations, micro entrepreneurs, and special events.

4. Budget and Financial Management
● In collaboration with ISDA leadership and the SDCC board, develop and manage
the annual budget, ensuring that the operation remains sustainable;
● Review financial reports and present them to the SDCC board quarterly;
● Review and approve all payables and receivables for the ISDA bookkeeper;
● Oversee payroll, including bonuses, pay increases and paid time off;
● Make decisions on large expenses based on cash flow and occupancy rates.

5. Collaborate with ISDA on advancing the broader organizational mission and vision
● Support fundraising and development efforts;
● Provide physical space and logistical support for large ISDA events, including the
biennial Tri-National Sonoran Desert Symposium;
● Work with other local organizations and individuals to provide programming and
needed resources to the Ajo community (in the past this has included providing
free meeting space, serving free or reduced-cost meals, hosting guests of the
community);
● Represent ISDA and SDCC at local, regional, and national conferences and events;
● Promote local entrepreneurs, job training, and micro enterprise.

Qualifications
● Excellent customer service skills - warm, welcoming, and professional;
● Experience in hospitality, community development, creative placemaking, marketing,
and/or related fields;
● Expertise managing a diverse staff team and fostering a healthy, positive, safe work
environment;
● Strong administrative skills;
● Knowledge of Ajo (businesses, tourist attractions, resources, history) or willingness to
learn;
● A passion for being a part of the development and growth of Ajo as a destination for
tourism, culture, and educational events;
● Excellent on-the-spot problem-solving skills;
● Strong computer skills - proficient in basic platforms like Microsoft Office, Google Suite,
and various social media platforms, and able to quickly learn (and teach) new platforms
such as QuickBooks, online property management software and various financial systems;
● Strong systems thinker;
● Flexible hours. Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed, during peak
season;

● Ability to multitask;

● Experience as a small business owner preferred;
● Spanish language skills are not required, but a big plus.

Terms
● Full-time position, starting training (some may be remote) as soon as possible;
● Employee status Exempt;
● Strong preference for an in-person start date no later than November 1, 2022;
● Salary range is $55,000-65,000/year, with opportunity for performance-based incentives;
● Benefits package includes health insurance with vision and dental options, 4 weeks paid
vacation, and opportunity for extended leave during the hot summer months;
● Unique perks including 10 free nights at the SDCC annually for friends and family; the use
of an SDCC golf cart; and delicious free meals at SDCC events;
● Reports to the Executive Director of ISDA and the SDCC Board.
● We plan to have the successful candidate in place by November first. Interviews will begin
September first. This position will remain open until filled.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] For
candidates who are re-locating to Ajo for this position, temporary housing may be available on
the SDCC property.

The Sonoran Desert Inn and Conference Center is a supporting not-for-profit of the International
Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA). The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of ISDA is to provide
a fair and equal employment opportunity for all job applicants regardless of race, color, religion,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability, or any other protected
characteristic as established by law. ISDA hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of
their qualifications for the job to be filled.