Director of the Darling Marine Center (id:82894)

The University of Maine seeks a forward-looking Director of the Darling Marine Center, a shore-front campus in Walpole, Maine, with teaching, research, and outreach facilities. The Director will report to the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. The successful candidate, with appropriate qualifications, may be eligible for tenure in an academic unit.

 

The Director will be the overall facility leader, responsible for all administrative and management aspects of the Center’s programs and operations. The Director will have support from the Dean’s office and from on-site financial, facility management, programming and communication, maintenance, custodial, kitchen, and housing support staff.  The Director will:

 

• work with University of Maine academic and research units in supporting a robust schedule of courses and other academic programming (e.g. internships)
• in conjunction with the Dean, work with the Vice President of Research and Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development to strengthen, foster, and grow on-site research, industrial cooperation, and business incubation partnerships
• ensure sound fiscal management of the Darling Marine Center, through close collaboration with the College financial office
• develop new and enhance existing revenue streams including through academic programming, corporate partnerships, or research opportunities both within and outside UMaine
• lead and supervise the Darling Marine Center’s operations, including overseeing human resources, facility management, and safety
• work with the College, local support groups, and the University of Maine Foundation to develop a fundraising program to enhance private funding and endowments to ensure the sustainability of the Darling Marine Center
• engage with mid-coast Maine communities, agencies and other groups to develop programming activities that fit within the Center’s mission
• promote collaboration among faculty and staff, delegate responsibility when appropriate, and make timely decisions
• develop and maintain goodwill for the Center among various support and clientele groups, local agencies, and consumers, and
• develop stakeholder advisory committees to guide programming, planning, and strategic visioning for the center

 

 

The Director may contribute to the teaching and research mission of the University as completion of the above duties permit. We anticipate the initial salary for this position to be $120,000 to $160,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 

 

The Darling Marine Center (http://dmc.umaine.edu) was established in 1965 as part of a gift from Ira C. Darling.  It is the University of Maine’s marine laboratory, and its mission is to connect people to the ocean by generating and sharing knowledge of coastal and marine ecosystems and the human communities that are part of them. Operating year-round to facilitate research, education, community and industry engagement, the Darling Marine Center serves the marine interests of UMaine, the State of Maine, and visiting students and researchers from around the world. Located on the scenic Damariscotta River estuary in midcoast Maine (~ 1 hour from Portland), the Darling Marine Center provides easy access to diverse estuarine and intertidal habitats and the open waters of the Gulf of Maine. 

 

The Darling Marine Center currently has a year-round population of ~ 40 faculty, staff and graduate students, and 25 permanent buildings totaling more than 100,000 ft2 of space. With housing for over 40 students and visitors, academic programs range from weekend- to semester-long experiences. The campus encompasses 182 acres including more than a mile of shoreline. The property’s expansive fields, forest, and waterfront showcase the best of rural Maine while offering state-of-the-art research facilities in an ideal location with easy access to the Damariscotta River and Gulf of Maine.

 

 

The Darling Marine Center owns and operates a commercial grade pier. In addition to a 42’ oceanographic research vessel, the DMC owns and operates several small vessels suitable for sea sampling, SCUBA-based underwater research, and estuarine oceanography.

 

Qualifications:

Required:

 

• Appropriate professional degree in an area broadly related to the marine sciences 
• At least five years of professional experience in an academic setting
• Budget, facility, and personnel management experience
• Ability and desire to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to engage with industry partners and business incubation
• Commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the institution
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Demonstrated experience of grant writing and fundraising
• Evidence of successful community engagement 

 

Preferred:

 

• PhD in an area broadly related to the marine sciences 
• A strong record of scholarly achievements
• Experience facilitating post-secondary academic programming  
• Familiarity with both field and laboratory settings

 

Other Information:

 

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
3.) contact information for three professional references
4.) Statement of administrative experience and philosophy that integrates principles and plans for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion

 

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

 

Materials received after the initial review date of November 6, 2023, will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.  

 

For questions about the search, please contact Christopher Gerbi (christopher.gerbi@maine.edu or 207.581.2153.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

 

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

 

Length:

Fiscal Year (12 Months)

 

Required Documents:

Cover Letter, Professional Philosophy Statement, References, Resume/CV