Supporting environmental research, education, and public understanding

TITLE: Operations Director

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

INCUMBENT: STATUS: Full Time (EXEMPT)

UPDATED: May 2021

BROAD FUNCTION: The Operations Director is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the Institute’s natural and managed land and facilities. A strong background in stewardship/land management is required. Additionally, the Operations Director will assist with educational programs within his/her realm of expertise. This is a management and hands-on position.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:

• Ensure the property is maintained in an ecologically functional condition.
• Ensure the facilities are maintained and a proactive plan is in place for continued efficient and cost-effective operations. 
• Oversee, produce, and manage an annual budget. 
• Assist with strategic plan formulation and evaluation, ensuring progress is achieved and goals are met.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The Operations Director is accountable to the Executive Director.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES:

• Provide direction and assistance to the Stewardship Coordinator in maintaining the natural areas and trails in compliance with the Institute’s Natural Area Management Plan.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to ensure the buildings and equipment are maintained and effectively managed.
• Keep the Executive Director updated on all property and facility issues.
• Ensure work is completed collaboratively with all departments to support effective operations.
• Seek outside funding opportunities to support stewardship efforts.
• Develop relationships with outside organizations and vendors to enhance and strengthen the Institute’s mission and vision.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to establish safety protocols to comply with Institute and government requirements and provide training for employees as needed.
• Work with the Stewardship Coordinator to develop and implement educational programming.
• Assist with environmental and safety training for staff and volunteers as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
• Degree in resource conservation, land management and/or biology with at least three years relevant experience.
• Strong understanding and experience with facility maintenance.
• Strong organizational and management abilities and oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Geographic Information Systems.
• Computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office and other appropriate software.
• Commitment to the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute mission and vision.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Operations Director is charged with the oversight and management of the Institute’s property and facilities, working collaboratively with staff and others to ensure goals are achieved. He/she is also responsible for hands-on assistance with land management efforts and occasionally facilities projects.

PLANNING & BUDGETING RESPONSIBILITY:

• Prepare and track a budget and operate within the framework of the approved budget.
• Initiate and follow through on all strategic planning efforts needed to successfully complete job responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: The Operations Director is responsible for supervision and management of the Stewardship Coordinator and Facilities Manager, volunteers, and contractors as needed.

Full Job Description

Interested applicants should submit their resume and a cover letter to:

[email protected]

Or-

Michelle Skedgell, Executive Director
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
701 W. Cloverdale Road
Hastings, MI 49058

https://ucnrs.org/search-for-the-executive-director-uc-natural-reserve-system/

Opportunity and Challenge Profile

In the late 1950s, a forward-thinking group of University of California (UC) scientists conceived of a network of natural California areas managed specifically for academic use. They were weary of seeing wildlands that had once served as outdoor laboratories be supplanted by urban development. They needed access to natural ecosystems, where their equipment would remain undisturbed and where they and their students could study plants, observe animals, and measure ecosystems over the long term.

In January 1965, seven University-owned sites became the system’s first Reserves. Today the UC Natural Reserve System (UC NRS) consists of 41 Reserves across the State, each anchored to one of the nine UC campuses that are not exclusively dedicated to health sciences. These Reserves encompass 47,000 acres owned by UC and provide access to millions of acres of biodiverse public lands. The Reserves are staffed by expert land managers, and they are available to students, teachers, and researchers from the UC and other research institutions.  In addition, the Reserves serve as outreach destinations for K-12 classes and members of the public volunteering and attending courses, workshops, and UC NRS events. No other university-operated network of field sites in the world can match the size, scope, and ecological diversity of the UC NRS.

The UC Natural Reserve System is led by the Executive Director, who reports to the systemwide Vice President for Research & Innovation at the University of California Office of the President.  The work of the UC NRS Reserves, individually and collectively, is significant.  Yet the UC NRS has the potential for more important positive impact at the local, state, national, and global levels, truly fulfilling the public mission of the UC System. At a time of unprecedented humanmade ecological destruction and climate change, global pandemics, and social and political unrest throughout the world, the Executive Director must fully recognize the potential of the UC NRS and drive the organization to address these current challenges and those to come. To that end, the University of California seeks an Executive Director to lead the UC NRS in its effort to drive existing excellent programs and to further define and develop new initiatives. To achieve these important goals, the next UC NRS Executive Director will address the following key opportunities and challenges:

• Lead the UC NRS community
• Develop and execute an actionable vision for the UC Natural Reserve System
• Serve as an effective leader for faculty, staff, and external constituents throughout the UC NRS and campus partners
• Effectively represent the organization as champion and advocate for the UC NRS within the UC Office of the President, federal and California government agencies, and other external partners
• Strategically manage the resources required to achieve the many ambitions and aspirations of the UC NRS

This profile, which was prepared by the Search Advisory Committee with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, provides context and background information as well as key opportunities and challenges related to the position. Additional information and desired qualifications and characteristics are listed in the official position description, which is provided in the appendix. All confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the parties listed on page 5 of this document.

About The University of California

The University of California opened its doors in 1869 with 10 faculty members and 38 students. Today, the UC system includes more than 280,000 students and more than 227,000 faculty and staff, with 2.0 million alumni living and working around the world.

The UC system comprises 10 university campuses, 5 medical centers, 3 national laboratories, 160 academic disciplines, 800 degree programs, and $46.3 billion contributed to the California economy. The University is governed by the 26-member Board of Regents, which exercises approval over university policies, financial affairs, tuition and fees. The Regents appoint the university president and its principal officers. The UC Academic Senate, representing UC faculty, is empowered by the Regents to decide academic policies, including approving courses and setting requirements for admission, certificates and degrees. The Academic Senate also advises the administration on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets.

The UC Office of the President is the systemwide headquarters of the University of California, managing its fiscal and business operations and supporting the academic and research missions across its campuses, national labs, and medical centers. The UC Office of the President coordinates activities that allow a complex and unique system to operate efficiently as one university, furthering its public interest, academic and research missions. It oversees and manages programs that serve the entire university system, allowing campuses to capture the savings and efficiencies that come from centralized operations. President Michael V. Drake assumed responsibilities in August 2020 as the 21st president of the University of California.

For more information, please see: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/

About The University of California Natural Reserve System

The UC Natural Reserves System (UC NRS) manages 41 staffed and supported sites throughout California that are administered by the UC System to operate as a network dedicated to university level research and teaching, and public service. Most of the state’s major habitat types are represented within the UC NRS, from coastal tidepools to inland deserts, and lush wetlands to redwood forests. No other network of field stations matches the size, scope, and ecological diversity of the UC NRS Reserves. The UC NRS Reserves serve as outdoor laboratories to field scientists: the Reserves are classrooms without walls for learning, and nature’s inspiration to all.

The mission of the UC Natural Reserve System is: to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. A group of UC scientists banded together to start a network of natural areas supported specifically for academic use in the 1950s, recognizing the need to preserve and protect natural sites and wildlands in California for serving as outdoor laboratories at a time when the State was rapidly urbanizing. In January 1965, the Regents of the University of California established the Natural Land and Water Reserves System, as the UC Natural Reserve System was first known. Seven University-owned sites became the system’s first Reserves. Today the UC NRS is the world’s largest university system of field stations, consisting of 41 Reserves across the State, encompassing 47,000 acres owned by the UC, providing access to millions of acres of public lands, and hosting more than 100,000 student and researcher visits each year. 

The UC NRS promotes and allows opportunities for research, teaching, and public service. Each Reserve is managed by a UC campus, with the Systemwide Office of the NRS at the UC Office of the President, part of the Research & Innovation unit of the division of Academic Affairs. For more information, please see: https://ucnrs.org/

Role of the Executive Director

Reporting to the Vice President, Research & Innovation (R&I), the Executive Director of the UC NRS has overall responsibility for strategic leadership, oversight, administration, systemwide programming, and development of the UC Natural Reserve System. The Executive Director provides this leadership in consultation with and as an ex-officio member of the President’s Universitywide NRS Advisory Committee. The Executive Director supervises the systemwide NRS staff and supports the efforts of numerous faculty and staff through the multi-campus, 41-Reserve system. The Executive Director provides representation, oversight, and accountability for the system to UC NRS stakeholders, both internal and external to the University, and to the public. This position is part of the Vice President’s cabinet.

Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Executive Director

Lead the UC NRS community

• Cultivate a culture of shared vision and collegiality across UC.
• Develop strategic partnerships internal and external to UC, especially with the government of the State of California.
• Deeply engage with the UC NRS community to fully understand the broad aspects of its operations, including programmatic, educational, infrastructure and diversity ambitions, and considerations for additional expansion, infrastructure, and funding.

Develop and execute an actionable vision for the UC Natural Reserve System

• Articulate the critical role the UC NRS can play in future research and needs around areas as varied as wildfires, climate change, and biodiversity through the UC NRS’ focus on facilitating teaching, research, and public service.
• Partner with UC NRS constituents in articulating the vision through formulating and implementing Universitywide programmatic, operational, and development plans for the UC NRS in conjunction with the Universitywide NRS Advisory Committee.
• Execute a cohesive, collective vision of the UC NRS, with the whole embodying more than the sum of its contributive parts.
• Develop a strategy to ensure continued stewardship of the land, safeguarding its resiliency in a changing future

Serve as an effective leader for faculty, staff, and external constituents throughout the UC NRS and campus partners

• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the UC NRS community and all of its programs.
• Develop team members and future talent committed to the UC NRS, including communicating broadly to team members, campus Reserve administrators, advisors, stakeholders, and potential stakeholders in both raising the profile of and creating cohesion and community with the UC NRS.
• Operate comfortably, and with attention to, both direct line and matrixed environments, including recognizing the different needs and personalities of the different Reserves and campuses that support them, promoting efficiency through common approaches, and visiting campuses and Reserves to learn how to do so.

Effectively represent the organization as champion and advocate for the UC NRS within the UC Office of the President, federal and California government agencies, and other external partners

• Demonstrate a passion for and excitement about the benefits, opportunities, and responsibilities of the UC NRS.
• Raise the UC NRS profile by widely communicating an exciting actionable vision, including to faculty, students, and staff within the University of California, as well as with partners or others who can see the benefit of and create benefit from use of the Reserves.
• Advocate for the UC NRS internally at the University of California, highlighting its unique position as one of few systemwide entities strategically connecting campuses and demonstrating the strength and power of the UC system as a whole.
• Work with external agencies including California State Parks and the National Park Service, land trusts, NGOs, and other natural resource-oriented agencies and organizations, as well as with federal, state and local government to increase visibility and support of the benefits of the UC NRS.

Strategically manage the resources required to achieve the many ambitions and aspirations of the UC NRS

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and resourcefulness to ensure the effective and efficient operations of a large-scale, diversified entity.
• Advocate for the financial needs of the UC NRS (Reserves, staff, and general support for central operations) in the context of the realities of the public funding of higher education.
• Identify and secure large grant funding for systemwide initiatives that advance the mission of the UC NRS.
• Initiate and execute fundraising campaigns, including the capital campaigns and state bond campaigns for UC NRS systemwide initiatives.

Qualifications, Education, and Special Conditions

Please see appendix for official job description details.

Compensation and Location

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications. This position is primarily located in Oakland, California. Extensive travel is required, as budget allows.

Inquiries, Nominations, and Application Information

Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: www.imsearch.com/7903. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, including describing your experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Appendix

Official UCOP Job Description:

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) seeks a strong and innovative leader for the systemwide office of the Natural Reserve System of the University of California. The mission of the UC Natural Reserve System (UC NRS) is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. Established by the Regents in 1965, the UC NRS is a unique assemblage of protected wildland sites throughout California. Its Reserves encompass nearly all of the state’s major ecosystems, preserved in as undisturbed a condition as possible to support University-level research and teaching programs. With 41 Reserves, field stations, and research centers and responsibility for more than 750,000 acres, as well as providing research access to several million acres of protected public lands, the UC NRS is the largest university-operated system of natural reserves in the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President, Research & Innovation (R&I), the Executive Director, UC NRS has overall responsibility for strategic leadership, oversight, administration, systemwide programming, and development of the Natural Reserve System. S/he provides this leadership in consultation with and as an ex-officio member of the President’s Universitywide NRS Advisory Committee. The Executive Director supervises the systemwide UC NRS staff and supports the efforts of numerous faculty and staff through the multi-campus, 41-reserve system. S/he provides representation, oversight, and accountability for the system to UC NRS stakeholders, both internal and external to the University, and to the public. The Executive Director interacts with and forms cooperative agreements and partnerships with state and federal agencies (including California State Parks and National Park Service), land trusts, NGOs, and other natural resource-oriented agencies and organizations at state, national, and international levels that manage natural areas or otherwise share UC NRS objectives. This position is part of the Vice President’s cabinet.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Required Qualifications

• Outstanding leadership qualities, including a high degree of integrity, long-term vision, and commitment to the UC NRS mission, in upholding the University’s role as a guardian of the public trust with respect to the Natural Reserve System.
• Significant knowledge and current understanding of emerging issues and trends in natural resource management, ecosystem science, and environmental laws and policies.
• Working knowledge of policy, business management and the ability to connect and collaborate with funding agencies, government organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
• Demonstrated organizational leadership and people management experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in close collaboration with a team of professionals, fostering a positive, supportive, respectful, and collegial work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with constituents from a variety of backgrounds and training (including faculty, administrators, state and federal governmental agencies, NGOs, land trusts, conservation organizations, foundations, private donors, external advisory board and the public).
• Excellent oral and written communication, negotiation, and presentation skills to represent the UC NRS effectively to a wide variety of audiences, convey complex information, influence outcomes, and tactfully work with complex situations and ideas.
• Experience with fundraising and other university development activities, including relevant foundations, working with oversight boards, University campus development offices and officers, state government funding opportunities, and a demonstrable record of accomplishment in fund development.
• Demonstrated engagement and achievements with issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a faculty member of a research university.

Education

• Ph.D. in the environmental, physical, biological or related sciences, with advanced knowledge of and experience in performing and managing field sciences and field research, or an equivalent level of education and relevant management experience.

Special Conditions

• Must pass a background check.

Executive Officer 

Posted Date: May 25, 2021 

Job Type: Full-time, non-federal 

Application Deadline: June 15, 2021 

Compensation: IS-14 ($122,530 per year plus benefits plan including: annual and sick leave, group  health insurance, retirement and saving plans 

Location: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Edgewater, Maryland) 

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) invites applications for an Executive Officer.  SERC is a research institute of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to ecological and environmental  research and education. Located on a 2,650-acre campus of forests, farmlands and wetlands and 15  

miles of shoreline of Chesapeake Bay. SERC is based in Edgewater, Maryland, 25 miles from the central  Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and 5 miles from Annapolis. 

The SERC campus consists of an array of historic and modern buildings, including a large modern  laboratory building, wet lab, dock and other facilities for environmental research and education. Staff  include approximately 110 employees, 40 interns, and 500 volunteers. A 40-person, centrally managed  maintenance and security staff are on site. SERC receives 15,000 visitors annually, including 6,000 school children on field trips. See www.serc.si.edu 

We seek to fill this key position with a person of integrity, empathy, and energy with a management  style that is analytical and especially collaborative. 

To apply: 

Submit applications by email to: [email protected] 

Applications must consist of: 

1) Resume 

2) Cover Letter with brief description of experience in supervision, administration and  management of a scientific research and education organization such as a governmental agency,  university facility, or non-governmental organization (or similar), including: 

• Operations and administration oversight, compliance, and staff supervision. • Budget and Finance 

• Human Resource Management 

• Teamwork and Advising Management 

• Science Programs 

• Public Engagement Programs 

Key Responsibilities: 

This position is responsible for the management and oversight of SERC operations, including  administrative services and support systems. The position reports to the Director and is responsible for  all support activities, including budget and financial planning and management; procurement and 

contracting oversight; human resources management; facilities, security, safety and occupational health  support; travel policy implementation and compliance, and oversight of information management  technology systems. SERC’s programs are funded by a mixture of federal appropriations and  Smithsonian Trust funds, but a major source of funding is from extramural grants and contracts. Major  activities of the Executive Officer include: 

• Is the key member of the SERC Directorate to oversee finance, administration and operational  compliance with Smithsonian guidelines and central services.  

• Is a member of the Director’s cabinet that also includes the Associate Director for Research,  Assistant Director for Public Engagement, Development Officer, and Communications Officer.  • Advises the Director on organizational management and administration. 

• Serves as liaison between SERC and the Smithsonian’s central offices (e.g. finances, human  resources, facilities, security, IT/computer services, purchasing, grants and contracts).  • Serves as SERC’s EEO advisor responsible for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access  policies at the Center. 

• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and procedures in the day-to-day  management of SERC.  

Education/Experience Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree in science or business administration PLUS either 5 years of specialized and  progressive experience OR an MBA and 3 years of specialized and progressive experience in  administration of operations of a science-related research or education organization.  

Specialized experience is defined as: administration and management of a scientific research and  education organization to review, analyze and supervise staff for unit operations; and/or direct financial  management; and/or human resources analysis and oversight; and/or liaison and advising senior  management. 

Progressive experience is defined as significantly increasing levels of management oversight and  responsibility. 

The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of non discrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression,  sexual orientation, age, religion, marital/parental/caregiver status, and disability. The SERC  community recognizes the value of diversity in promoting innovative science and creative solutions,  and we strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each  applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this  position. Competitive candidates will have many, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications  and experiences.