Director of Strategic Outreach

This position provides leadership and management for developing and carrying out a strategic outreach program for CFANS by building new and maintaining existing partnerships and programs, with an emphasis on 1) middle and early high school audiences, and 2) new and diverse communities with less traditional exposure to CFANS-related pathways. Additionally, the role is responsible for sustaining existing partnerships and for developing and implementing outreach strategies that support informing future students about CFANS opportunities. Salary range for this position is $70,500 - $75,000.

The position will work closely with strategic University and collegiate partners, such as CFANS academic departments, UMN Office of Admissions, CFANS Office of Inclusive Excellence, CFANS Alumni and Constituent Relations, and CFANS Communications and Marketing to collaborate and align goals. The position works closely with CFANS Undergraduate Student Services and reports to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.

40% Community Outreach and Engagement

* Develop and implement an annual outreach and engagement strategic plan which identifies new and continued partnerships, relationship development goals, and plans to meet programmatic targets.
* Continue to identify and connect with middle and early high-school efforts happening currently within CFANS, including the maintenance of a list of on campus engagement activities from CFANS departments and close collaboration with departmental staff conducting outreach.
* Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with individuals, organizations, school and community partners to increase awareness and career opportunities in agriculture, food, and natural resource education (formal and nonformal)
* Partner with the CFANS Office of Inclusive Excellence to strategically support their outreach programs specifically for youth from marginalized and underrepresented communities who represent multiple dimensions of diversity.
* Develop resources for communities and teachers to engage with and assess opportunities within CFANS, such as guest lectures, campus visits, and workshops.
* Serve as a resource within CFANS for staff, faculty, students and students to connect and engage with one another, as well as community partners.

35% Undergraduate Outreach and Admissions Strategy

* Assist the Associate and Assistant Deans on the development and adjustment of undergraduate enrollment goals, and development and annual review of a strategic plan to achieve those goals.
* Create and administer a collaborative relationship for data sharing purposes with the UMN Office of Admissions through regular collaboration with the CFANS Freshman Admissions Counselor, and attendance at regular UMN Admissions meetings.
* Provide direct supervision and management of staff which may include Greater Minnesota outreach personnel, and additional future roles related to CFANS outreach and engagement.
* Track engagement contacts and determine ways to connect youth outreach programming initiatives into the overall recruitment strategy.
* Collaborate to achieve maximum impact of recruitment efforts of CFANS (e.g., Ag & Food Day; State FFA Convention; UMN Fall & Winter Invitational events; Minnesota Youth Institute, Science of Ag Challenge, and STEM Exploration Day) and o-campus (e.g., 4-H - Arts-In, Farm Fest, State Fair exhibition; career and college fairs, high school class presentations, youth events such as FFA, 4-H, Scouting organizations) events.
* Collaborate across system campuses to jointly support recruitment efforts to AFNR programs at Crookston and Twin Cities

15% Program Evaluation, Funding, & Research

* Analyze admission data to determine effectiveness of outreach strategies and potential future markets.
* Work with the Associate Dean to develop staffing models that provide effective support to successfully implement a comprehensive outreach strategy.
* Serve as a faculty resource to develop engagement-focused grant proposals and broader impact collaborations to generate funds to support programmatic goals and efforts.
* Collect data from collaborative grant projects and conduct analysis for program evaluation.
* Contribute to the development of relevant reports and publications.

10% Professional Development & Service

* Engage actively with diversity, equity, and inclusion work, training, certificates, and other opportunities.
* Serve on Student Services, College, and University-wide committees as requested or needed.
* Participate in College recruitment, outreach, orientation and transition programs, career services, student engagement, and commencement events.
* Professionally and positively represent the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

Required:
* Bachelor degree with at least six years of relevant experience in outreach and community engagement in an academic setting, or a master's degree with at least four years of relevant experience
* Demonstrated capacity to develop productive relationships with prospective students, parents, staff, faculty and key external stakeholders across urban, suburban, and rural populations.
* Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and success engaging with underserved students and communities.
* Capacity for creative problem solving, planning and forecasting, strategic goal setting and organizational leadership.
* Strong experience in event creation, development, and implementation.
* Exhibits strong communication and writing skills.
* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and develop inclusive and culturally responsive working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
* Demonstrate being self-directed, professional, responsible, and willing to learn.
* Ability to travel locally and regionally, and work some evenings and weekends.
* Outstanding time management skills with the ability to balance many job functions and competing demands
with grace and sensitivity.

Preferred:
* Familiarity with the University of Minnesota.
* Familiarity with University recruitment and admissions processes
* Familiarity with food, agriculture, or environmental science elds.
* Experience with program evaluation and/or social science research.
* Experience creating and executing marketing and communication strategies - including electronic, print, web, and social media
* Supervisory experience of full-time employees

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is built of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.
Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may
be the right candidate for this role. At this time, the university's employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their preferred name and/or pronouns within their attached application materials.

Pay Range: $70,500 - $75,000 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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

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.

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).