DIRECTOR OF GREAT LAKES WATER STUDIES INSTITUTE

Summary

The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (WSI) was established in 2003 to “inspire lifelong stewardship of fresh water through education and partnership.”  The Director leads the implementation of this vision through the program missions of learning, convening, and collaboration.   WSI supports the mission and purposes of the College by serving as a focal point for professional and community education within the broad theme of water and by encouraging creative connections between individuals, organizations and communities.  The Director reports to the Vice President of Lifelong and Professional Learning (LPL), and contributes in identifying those opportunities and resources that enhance Northwestern Michigan College's (NMC) role in regional economic development and which positively reflect the value of the region's most distinctive natural asset.  The Director represents NMC’s commitment to outreach and community engagement by fully participating with other organizations in the fulfillment of its mission.  Project management experience including supervision, budget development, and administrative responsibilities are strongly preferred.  Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interpersonal skills are needed, along with strong presentation skills and the ability to be self-directed.  Ideally this individual will be comfortable with instructional and communication technology and be a lifelong learner.  The successful candidate will demonstrate an affinity for the mission and purpose of NMC and WSI and have a clear understanding about basic research methodology as it applies to the theme of water.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities Include the Following:
(other duties may be assigned)

Resource identification and development

• Lead the identification and development of a financial base appropriate for support of program operations, and with the long-range goal of promoting the Institute’s sustainability through an operating endowment. 
• Expand the resources for distinctive WSI projects such as the DTE Teacher Institute.
• Work with NMC units and external partners in the development, implementation, and management of grants and foundation requests.

Program development and advocacy

• Guide initiatives that fulfill the vision of WSI, particularly those that emphasize partnership-based approaches toward research projects, technology transfer and economic development activities, workforce development and professional development opportunities.
• Balance the activities of the Institute to reflect NMC’s strategic priorities as they apply to the business of water in the broadest sense, the interests of community stakeholders, and our role in regional, national, and bi-national conversations on water policy.

Strategic partnership development

• Strengthen our role as a neutral convener.
• Act to identify and constructively engage existing and new partners for the successful pursuit of WSI’s mission.  Examples of strategic partnerships include NMC units such as the academic departments, professional development units, libraries and institutional research.  Other examples include partnerships that allow community and citizen engagement; those that foster resource sharing in the non-profit sector; those that generate and create new regional resources such as those in the private and business sectors.

Collaboration within Lifelong and Professional Learning

• Join a team charged by the President to broadly represent learners in both formal and non-formal environments who meet their goals through many pathways.
• Engage and support the shared agenda of Lifelong and Professional Learning (LPL),and collaborate with the Vice President in the development of the LPL plan of work.

 

Education and/or Experience

REQUIRED
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a content area related to the purposes of the Institute
• Three to five years relevant professional experience

 

STRONGLY PREFERRED
• Master’s degree in a content area related to the purposes of the Institute
• Project management experience including supervision, budget development, and administrative responsibilities 
• Demonstrated and successful track record in resource development, fund raising, and grant writing for large projects and activities ($50,000 and up)
• Experience in the private sector including profit/loss experience
• Experience in preparation and delivery of formal presentations
• Comfortable working with both academic and private sectors
• Experience working with a diverse range of volunteers

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid unrestricted Michigan Drivers License

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises contractual employees, interns, and/or professional and support staff, with the number and type of staff varying over time depending on programs and services provided by the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.  Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.  Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.  Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. 

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.  Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.  Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

---

I have read this position description, and would like to view the
Critical Success Factors Form that I can save and complete before sending
to Human Resources:

Access Critical Success Factors Form

Northwestern Michigan College Is An Equal Opportunity Employer