Extension Youth and Families Unit Director

DESCRIPTION

Washington State University and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) seeks a Director of WSU Extension’s Youth and Families Unit (Y&F).  This is a permanent, 12-month, full-time, career track continuous or tenured/tenure-track position (depending on background).  Appointment is at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with a negotiable location based in Washington State.

THE OPPORTUNITY

CAHNRS seeks a candidate to provide leadership to the statewide Youth and Families Program Unit of approximately 23 faculty and 63 staff conducting applied research and programming related to nutrition and food safety; individual and family development; and health, wellness, and prevention.  The Extension Youth and Families Program Unit meets community needs by providing community-based programs, conducting applied research, and collaborating with others to create an environment where individuals can thrive in richly diverse communities.  The unit generates and manages over $5 million in annual extramural expenditures.  This position offers an opportunity to develop and implement a strategic vision with the program in order to build its capacity and to increase its impact.  This will involve collaboration and integration with other units within the university and CAHNRS, while expanding partnerships with counties, tribes, agencies, and other entities across the state and nation. The successful candidate is expected to engage in an active, research-based Extension program commensurate with this leadership role. 

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY

This position is responsible to the CAHNRS Associate Dean and Director of Extension and works collaboratively with the County Directors and Extension faculty and staff across the state and on WSU campuses.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership in furthering, articulating, and implementing a compelling vision for Y&F through effective research, academic, and Extension programming. This vision should be based upon the land-grant mission and in line with strategic university and college goals, disciplinary need, and prioritized needs of major stakeholders, including state and federal partners and funding
• Develop partnerships and relationships with units and colleges outside of CAHNRS to forward the interest of Y&F, particularly around health Extension.
• Represent the vision, interests, and activities of Y&F to internal and external constituencies, including relevant stakeholder groups, to facilitate collaboration and achieve the
• Create a positive, collaborative, and collegial environment for Y&F faculty and staff.
• Transact official unit business and work collaboratively with deans, other administrators, and stakeholders, and actively participate with the CAHNRS Leadership Team and the Extension Administrative and Leadership Teams.
• Strengthen communication and collaboration within Y&F and across CAHNRS administration and chairs/directors to support Y&F faculty and staff, and jointly advance research, academic, and Extension priorities.
• Be an effective advocate for Y&F to enhance and improve the Y&F infrastructure and program support through a portfolio of internal and external funding
• Provide leadership in the formation and execution of departmental policies, hold meetings with all available members of the faculty on matters of policy, and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures applicable to Y&F.
• Execute day-to-day operating decisions, and the exercise of leadership responsibilities.
• Conduct annual reviews of faculty and staff and make recommendations to the CAHNRS Dean for appointments, promotions, and salaries of members of the unit.
• Establish collaborative Extension, research, or scholarly activities and programs.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Extension Director, CAHNRS Dean, and WSU Provost.
• Additional guidelines on the duties and responsibilities of chairs and directors is available in the Faculty Manual and in the Provost Guidelines on the Duties and Responsibilities of Chairs and Directors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned Master’s degree in human development, psychology, sociology, prevention science, social work, public health, family and consumer sciences, evaluation, or other related field by the time of hire.
• Six years of related community, county, or regional-based Extension experience.
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills, as evidenced by successful performance in personnel management; budget and fiscal management; strategic planning; evaluation; and critical decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding and fostering social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to work with a variety of diverse individuals and communities.
• Record of scholarly achievement appropriate for an appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in a career track or tenured/tenure-track position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• D. in human development, psychology, sociology, prevention science, social work, public health, family and consumer sciences, evaluation, or related field.
• Demonstrated Extension leadership experience with diverse audiences and constituents.
• Evidence of effective communication and collaboration skills with academic professionals, support staff, and diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated history of securing grants and contracts that build capacity and provide direct delivery of contracted services.
• Ability to take on new responsibilities and work effectively in an environment of change.
• Experience leading and motivating geographically dispersed, interdisciplinary and/or multi-agency teams in the development, delivery, and management of programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Land Grant University system, philosophy and mission; as well as a vision of future Extension needs and the ability to communicate on these matters.

JOB EXPECTATIONS

• Reliable transportation for year-round travel is required. Mileage will be reimbursed for work-related travel at the approved state rate if using a private vehicle.  While using a private or WSU motor pool vehicle for official business, have current automobile liability insurance (meeting the requirements described in RCW46.30.020 and RCW 46.29.090) and possess a valid driver's license.
• This position will lead Extension multi-disciplinary teams across the state of Washington.
• Extension faculty members are hired into the organization. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.
• The candidate will understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check and verification of COVID vaccination status per Washington State mandate.

SALARY

Salary is commensurate with available funding and the candidate’s academic and professional qualifications.  View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application screening begins June 16, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.  Apply at https://hrs.wsu.edu/jobs/.  Applications must include the following materials:

• Cover letter addressing how your experience meets the required and preferred qualifications for the position,
• Current Curriculum Vitae,
• Statement on contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to the university, college, and program unit mission and vision, and
• Names and contact information for four professional references.

For questions about the position, contact Matt Bumpus, Search Committee Chair at mbumpus@wsu.edu or 509.432.3671.

WSU EXTENSION

With 39 county Extension offices and 1 tribal location throughout the state, WSU Extension is the front door to the University.  Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life.  Extension collaborates with communities and industries to create a culture of life-long learning and is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high-quality and evidence-based, unbiased educational programs.  To learn more about WSU Extension, visit: https://extension.wsu.edu/about-extension/

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES

The College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 12 academic units, 3 Extension program units, 4 research and extension centers distributed across the state, 13 subject matter centers, and 1 tribal and 39 county Extension offices.   CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience.   Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems.  CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe.  For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1890 as Washington’s original land-grant university, Washington State University is a comprehensive land-grant university with teaching, research, and Extension missions, and one of two research universities in Washington State. WSU is organized into 11 academic colleges, the Honors College and the Graduate School.  It has an enrollment of more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students on five campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett) with approximately 21,000 students located on the main campus in Pullman, WA.  Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county, and online degree programs are offered worldwide.  Additional information about WSU's statewide locations can be found at https://wsu.edu/about/statewide/. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all.  Further information about WSU can be found at www.wsu.edu and https://wsu.edu/about/facts/.

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

In accordance with Washington State Governor's Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, you must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire.  People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series.  Full vaccination status or an approved accommodation will be verified prior to your first day of work.  Should you not be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation you will not be able to start employment with WSU. Information regarding vaccine verification and/or requesting a medical/religious accommodation is available at https://hrs.wsu.edu/covid-19/vax-verification/.  Please contact HRS at hrs@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521 if you have questions.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER.  Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.  WSU is committed to excellence through diversity and faculty-friendly policies including a partner accommodation program and a NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant see http://www.advance.wsu.edu.  WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens.  All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.  To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521(v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.