Associate Director Of Program & Outreach Coordination (Ul477)

About the Job

Associate Director of Program & Outreach Coordination

The University of Minnesota Libraries invites applications for an Associate Director responsible for Program & Outreach Coordination for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Geospatial Information Network (BTAA-GIN). The Associate Director will work with the BTAA-GIN Program Team under the management and direction of the University of Minnesota Libraries, which holds responsibility for leading the BTAA-GIN.

About the BTAA-GIN Program

The BTAA-GIN is an innovative collaborative program that began in 2015 to provide discoverability, facilitate access, and connect scholars across the BTAA to geospatial data resources. The program created and maintains the BTAA Geoportal, hosts an annual GIS conference, and has established a collaborative network of geospatial library professionals across member institutions.

The dual mission of the BTAA-GIN is to support the geospatial research community by making resources easier to find while fostering connections among geospatial library professionals through our collaboration. We support the geospatial research community by building and maintaining a collective open-source spatial data infrastructure featuring metadata optimized for spatial discovery platforms. We foster connections by sharing expertise and utilizing collective resources while cultivating a culture of deep collaboration and interdependence. Our stated values include Collaboration & Connection; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility; and Stewardship and Sustainability.

What are we looking for?

The BTAA-GIN seeks a collaborative and communicative individual to join our growing team. Our network of participating institutions is expanding, and we are launching a new initiative to curate public geospatial data. As a result, our need for dedicated leadership in stakeholder coordination and engagement has increased. Furthermore, as we deepen our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, we must increase our efforts to proactively connect with our diverse community. This role will be pivotal in spearheading our outreach and engagement initiatives, coordinating program goals, and managing our team activities.

Context

The Program & Outreach Coordinator works with the BTAA-GIN Program Team, which is composed of library-affiliated staff from Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities. The Program & Outreach Coordinator receives guidance and oversight from the Program Director, but often operates independently to identify opportunities for operational improvements, explores better ways to effectively achieve Program goals, and solves complex problems requiring a systems thinking approach.

Responsibilities

Program Coordination (30%)

• Act as Program Coordinator in collaboration with Program Director, institutional partners, and graduate research assistants

• Encourage and foster collaboration to establish a strong partnership between the Program, Team Members, and stakeholders.

• Collaborate with Program Team members to further Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility goals related to geospatial data discovery, access, and research

• Coordinate and maintain overall program plan with milestones

• Work with Program Director to plan, prepare, and monitor program budgets

• Serve on Coordination Committee and Community Engagement Committee

• Coordinate activities and institutional goals of Team Members

• Create reports on progress of Program committees and working groups

• Develop training and instructional materials

• Issue regular general program status updates

Community Outreach and Engagement (25%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact representing the BTAA-GIN Program and BTAA Geoportal, attending to multiple populations with diverse interests and needs

• Extend the diversity and reach of the Program in terms of geospatial data collections that are currently underrepresented within existing academic geospatial networks

• Design and maintain a plan to promote educational program materials, including tutorials and research guides

• Develop and organize virtual events, including conferences, webinars, workshops, or presentations

• Serve as lead planner of the annual virtual BTAA GIS Conference

• Develop and maintain a consistent look and feel of online presence, including web site and social media communications

• Oversee the Program web presence and outreach materials

• Update website content as needed

• Create promotional materials to highlight Program progress and milestones

• Write outreach materials, including blog posts, newsletter articles

• Develop a plan to grow the user base for the BTAA Geoportal

Data Provider Engagement (20%)

• Design and maintain a communication plan with data providers, stakeholders, and data users.

• Participate in outreach and collaboration strategies with relevant academic and governmental bodies.

• Collaborate with the Geospatial Product Manager and the BTAA-GIN Program Team to develop and execute the Geodata Collection Curation Plan

• Communicate importance of quality metadata, data standards, and copyright issues to resource providers and users

Team Management (15%)

• Serve as primary point of contact for Team Members and prospective partners

• Lead and manage the onboarding and off-boarding of Team Members

• Plan and host regular Program Team meetings

Professional Development (10%)

• Continuously improve relevant skills through training, practice, research, and other learning opportunities

• Keeps current with relevant technologies, research, and trends in geospatial data infrastructures, including discovery applications for libraries

• Optional: membership in professional associations, service on University Libraries or other relevant committees.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: This is a full-time, 12-month, annual renewable academic professional position. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The hiring salary for this position starts at $72,000. The University offers excellent benefits: hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M. This position is eligible for flexible hours with a hybrid work environment based on departmental and operational needs.

Qualifications

Required:

• BA/BS plus at least six years of experience.

• Experience with program coordination.

• Experience with outreach and/or community engagement.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the benefits of diversity and inclusion throughout an organization.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Experience working both independently and in cooperation with colleagues in a service-oriented, collaborative environment.

Preferred:

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

• Experience developing training and instructional materials

• Strong documentation and writing skills

• Experience creating and delivering clear and effective oral presentations.

• Experience working with diverse groups of people.

• Demonstrated ability to plan and lead projects and manage workflows and diverse assignments.

• Experience with data management concepts and principles

• Knowledge of geospatial technologies and/or metadata principles

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format: (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.

• Cover Letter (identify cover letter with UL477).

TO APPLY: Enter the job id: 361821 in the "Search Jobs" box. You must address all required qualifications in either your cover letter or CV/Resume to be considered for the position. Submit a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three current professional references. Please identify your cover letter with UL477. Note: candidates will be notified before contacting references. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is closed.

VISA SPONSORSHIP: Visa sponsorship is NOT offered for this position. For further explanation please see TN Status.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).