Director of National Center for Water Quality Research

Description

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Director of the National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) provides strategic leadership and direction for the nationally and internationally recognized center in its work to collect, analyze, and disseminate research about the water quality of Lake Erie, its tributaries, and the Great Lakes overall. The Director of the NCWQR will hold academic rank commensurate with experience in the academic department most closely aligned with their area of expertise. As an administrative appointment, this position is not eligible for tenure.

Supervision Received

The Director of the NCWQR reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Supervision Exercised

The Director of the NCWQR supervises all NCWQR staff, including research scientists, post-doctoral researchers, field and lab technicians, and student workers and interns.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision:

• Develop a 5-year strategic plan to outline the future of the National Center for Water Quality research in alignment with the lab’s history and Heidelberg University’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Identify new and emerging areas of research and revenue generation for the NCWQR, including opportunities for commercialization and revenue generating products and services, on a national and global scale.
• Develop strategic private, public, and higher education partnerships to advance the mission and vision of the NCWQR.
• Reposition the NCWQR within Heidelberg University to build stronger partnerships across the institution.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment of NCWQR practices to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify and pursue research partnerships to expand the reach, impact, and profile of the NCWQR.
  
  

Grant And Resource Management

• Identify local, state, federal, and international funding sources.
• Secure ongoing funding for the NCWQR, which is 100% soft money funded.
• Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and private grant regulations and reporting protocols.
• Oversee multiple grants simultaneously from federal, state, local, and private funders.
• Develop and manage the NCWQR budget in compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies.
• Hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Ensure proper gift stewardship and donor relations.
  
  

Education

• Support undergraduate education through student internships, research projects.
• Build external partnerships to advance the educational mission of the NCWQR and support undergraduate and graduate education at Heidelberg University.
• Counsel and support academic departments seeking to incorporate Water Quality into their curricula.
• Identify ways to incorporate faculty and students from across Heidelberg University into the operations of the NCWQR to support undergraduate education.
• Communicate with both scientific and non-scientific audiences about the NCWQR’s research and findings.
• Collaborate with academic departments to develop and grow institutional water resources curriculum and research opportunities at Heidelberg University.
  
  

Requirements

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education And Professional Experience

• Ph.D. in a Water Quality Related Field such as Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Geology, or Hydrology.
• 3-5 years’ experience as a research scientist in a research lab environment.
• Experience supervising and managing staff.
• Experience in grant writing and grant management.
• Experience with budget development and budget management.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• 5 years of demonstrated progressive responsibility within a research lab.
• Experience managing simultaneous federal, state, and local grants from multiple funding agencies.
• A history of successful grant writing and grant management as a P.I. or Co-P.I.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with both scientific and non-scientific audiences through publications, presentations, and other methods.
  
  

Core Values And Personal Attributes

• Core values – models leadership values of integrity, honesty, humility, transparency, respectfulness, diversity, caring, loyalty and accountability in all work.
• Intellectual dynamism – demonstrates mental sharpness, capability and agility.
• Self-knowledge – gains insight from successes and mistakes.
• Personal learning – seeks feedback and counsel to improve managerial behavior.
• Peer relationships – encourages collaboration and cooperation across the organization.
• Teamwork – performs most effectively as a hard-working member of a team.
• Constituency focus – completes work to meet constituencies’ expectations and requirements.
• Community focus – brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy to the campus and town.
  
  

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong strategic and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and / or weekends as needed.
  
  

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Knowledge of operation and use of various office equipment including, but not limited to: personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software, integrated database software, fax machine, copier, telephone, scanner, and printers. Employee in this position must have a valid Ohio driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use arms, hands and fingers to operate and manipulate equipment generally found in an office setting. The employee may be frequently required to be mobile, communicate, and hear. The employee may occasionally be subject to a variety of outdoor environmental conditions including heat, cold, and precipitation.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Mental demands include varied degrees of occasional stress while performing job duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office setting, and educational facilities including sports and entertainment venues, all of which may be indoor or outdoor. The noise level in the work environment will range from moderately quiet to occasionally loud.