Position Details Position Information Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26032 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Darrin Boss dboss@montana.edu 406-994-7766 Classification Title Managing Director Working Title Deputy Director of Western SARE Brief Position Overview This position provides oversight of Chapter 1 WSARE programs, establishes and maintains relationships with WSARE partners, supervises some WSARE staff and supports the Director of WSARE operationally and in their absence. Position Number 4C0131 Department Western SARE Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 0.75 - 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $85,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement Western SARE is one of four regions organized under the national SARE (www.sare.org), a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to advance American agricultural sustainability through innovations that improve profitability, environmental stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and impactful outreach education. The Western SARE region encompasses 13 western states, as well as American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia and Guam. Duties and Responsibilities Supervise the WSARE Chapter 1 programs (Research and Education, Framer/Rancher, Professional + Producer, and Graduate Student) + Manage Graduate Student grants: + Read and sort proposal applications. + Advise in the formation of the Technical Review Panels. + Compile all recommendations of the Technical Review Panel using a scoring system. + Write summary review reports for the WASARE Administrative Council’s (AC) assignation of awards. + Provide feedback of submitted proposals. + Read and provide written feedback of awardees’ annual progress report. + Summarize the annual progress reports and impact of the awarded projects. + Present findings (technical recommendations, progress reports, and impacts) to the WSARE AC members and USDA officials, and in WSARE meetings (at least three per year). + Summarize the progress and impact of the WSARE Chapter 1 awarded projects in an annual report to USDA - NIFA . + Conduct WSARE programs evaluation. + Provide guidance to Western SARE PIs regarding Institutional Review Board ( IRB ) approval, and review and process about 12-15 requests for IRB per year for six competitive Western SARE grant programs. + Develop Call for Proposals for special grant programs addressing the mandate of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture ( NIFA ), Western SARE’s sponsor agency. Communicate and collaborate with SARE partners, in the service of the WSARE mission + Establish a monthly communication newsletter between the WSARE AC and the Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 teams. + Supervise the organization of the winter and summer WSARE AC meetings, as well as the Technical Review meetings. + Provide timely information about submitted and funded proposals to facilitate informed decisions of the AC. + Collaborate with the WSARE Communications and Outreach team and Chapter 3 staff to publicize research-based results, develop professional development programs, and assist potential applicants with grant submissions. + Represent and promote the Western SARE program at the local, regional, and national level in regional and national meetings on-site and/or online. + Outreach to underrepresented agricultural stakeholders in the Western U.S. through site visits. + Conduct webinars to assist WSARE clients in proposal submission. Supervise and support WSARE operations + Support the Regional Director in leading WSARE operations. + Provide backup to the Regional Director as needed and lead the WSARE team in the Regional Director’s absence. + Supervise staff: + Directly supervise the Program Coordinator II. + Indirectly supervise the Program Manager and Fiscal Manager in collaboration with the Regional Director. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills + Doctorate in relevant field. + Documented experience conducting research in Agriculture or Natural Resources with extensive grant development, budgeting, and management experience. + Experience working with agricultural producers. + Experience supervising people. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills + Experience working with various groups of people including public, faculty, staff, students and federal agencies. + Grant proposal review experience. The Successful Candidate Will + Excellent communication skills and people skills. + Communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Position Special Requirements/Additional Information Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.) This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on July 24, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Special Instructions EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.