Job Title: Director, Research Center/Institute
Location: Ecological Restoration Inst.
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 605013
Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Special Information

Incumbent is not eligible for layoff or recall statusThis position requires frequent travel. Hours of work may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Furlough/Pay Reduction Program

Northern Arizona University has implemented a salary reduction with personal flex time program in fiscal year 2021, as a result of COVID-19. It is possible for this position to be subject to this program. Details can be found on the HR website.

Job Description
Primary Function/Purpose of Position

The ERI seeks a professional with interdisciplinary experience to serve as Director of Policy and Communications. The Director will be responsible for planning and directing all aspects of government relations, public policy analysis, social science knowledge development and application, and communication services. The Director also ensures compliance with federal and state reporting.

The successful candidate will be passionate about advancing science-based forest restoration, is familiar with policy and legislative processes, enjoys working with diverse stakeholders including elected officials, is familiar with and appreciates the language of science, and is dedicated to assisting ERI professional staff communicate new knowledge to strategic audiences.

The director will report to the Executive Director (ED) of the Ecological Restoration Institute.

This position is grant funded and is subject to the availability of funds. This position has been funded continuously since 1999.

Special Information

The Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) is nationally recognized as an objective leader in primary and secondary ecological and social science, scholarship, information transfer, collaborative efforts, and policy analysis. Recently, the ERI expanded its focus to include forest operations and biomass utilization, and technical assistance to tribes. The ERI contributes to NAU’s vision to create a better Arizona and nation through its commitment to collaborative partnerships with communities, businesses, populations and decision makers that help lead the way to improving: the health and resiliency of forests and associated ecosystem services; forest ecosystem resiliency in the face of climate change; watershed function; and, the quality of life in rural communities.

Position Responsibilities

Government Relations and Policy

Work with the executive director (ED) to secure annual federal appropriations authorized by the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act (PL108-317). Coordinate federal appropriations strategy with the other Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes (SWERI) established by PL108-317. Congress established SWERI in 2004 to bridge knowledge developed at universities to the diverse land managers and stakeholders who influence ecological restoration. Coordinate in cooperation with the ED and ERI staff, the preparation of an annual program of work for federal appropriations, final reports, and compliance with meeting deliverables. Assist the ED and NAU to obtain and retain state funding from the Technology and Research Initiative Fund.Analyze and respond to federal, tribal, and state policies related to forest restoration and fire.Represent the ERI at local, state, tribal, regional and national level to achieve the ERI’s vision, mission, values and goals within the framework of NAU’s strategic plan.Coordinate activities with Northern Arizona University External Affairs and Partnerships staff.

Direct Human Dimensions (Social Sciences) Program

Supervise staff to research, analyze, apply, and communicate cutting edge knowledge in the social sciences. Areas of focus include collaboration, co-production of science, surveys, and economic analyses. Social science activities serve the goal of accelerating the pace and scale of forest restoration to improve forest health and to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire to communities and rural economies. Initiate subcontracts for work that is performed by staff external to the ERI.

Communications

Supervise the planning, initiation, production and delivery of communication products for ERI stakeholders. These products include: white papers, working papers, fact sheets, social media and web-based information. Assist the ED and Knowledge Specialists with media outreach.

Administration

Work with the ED and the management team to achieve the goals of ERI and to lead staff.Supervise staff in the Policy and Communications unit.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Geography, Environmental Studies, the social sciences or a field pertinent to this position and 10 years of directly related work experience in government relations, policy or pertinent to this position, ORMaster’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Geography, Environmental Studies, the social sciences or a field pertinent to this position and 5 years of directly related work experience in government relations, policy or pertinent to this position, ORAny equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience working with Congress, federal land management agencies, and the federal budget and appropriations process.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Effective communication skills in writing and presentations.
• Interest and facility working across biophysical and social science disciplines.
• Comfort learning and communicating about diverse subjects with diverse audiences and the media.
• Ability to think and act strategically across multiple scales and different organizations to advance ecological restoration at the landscape scale.
• Familiarity with collaboration and collaborative processes.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of, and experience with, Congressional budgeting and appropriation processes.
• Proven record of success achieving outcomes in legislative processes.
• Ability to think and act strategically internally and externally to achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrated experience taking initiative to solve problems and working independently.
• Ability to work in a team setting managing multiple tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of collaborative processes in landscape restoration and the logic that supports them.
• Ability to understand and adapt communication for different audiences.
• Demonstrated success managing large projects to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain attention to details.
• Knowledge of, experience with, and commitment to working in a culturally diverse environment with people from different backgrounds.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Demonstrated facilitation skills.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus and NAU-Fort Defiance as these campuses have on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

**The starting salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected applicant balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website.

NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.

Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service.

Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of employment. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of employment.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years.

Application Deadline

August 10, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.