Assistant Director and Program Leader, Environmental & Natural Resource Programs

Job Details

Organization's Summary Statement:

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) seeks applicants for the Assistant Director and Program Leader position for Environmental & Natural Resources (ENR). This is a tenured administrative position as Principal Agent (parallel to professor)/Professor and Assistant Director in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at the University of Maryland. The University of Maryland, College Park, is one of the nation’s top 20 public research universities with a world-class reputation. It is a leading Land-Grant institution that provides teaching, research, and extension to all Marylanders and beyond.

This position provides leadership and direction as Program Leader for the UME within a broad array of ENR program areas (collectively UME ENR Programs). Duties include identifying issues, problems, and solutions related to terrestrial, aquatic, and coastal ecosystems and their natural resources. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational and outreach programs that address the statewide needs of UME and the public stakeholders and organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Leadership, coordination, and oversight of UME ENR programs and applied research projects that include but are not limited to watershed management, natural and built landscapes, wildlife and fisheries management, aquaculture, forest resources, water use, quality and conservation, climate change, invasive species, outdoor recreation, waterway and land-use planning, seafood safety, environmental education, energy conservation and other related areas per UME and AGNR strategic plans.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching for faculty in planning, implementing, and evaluating research-based extension programs.
- Provide leadership to faculty in long-range planning, writing, reporting, professional development, and grant management.
- Secure funding and support faculty and staff in acquiring and managing extramural funds from local, regional, state, and federal agencies, industry groups, foundations, and other appropriate sources.
- Provide leadership and guidance to UME ENR program teams.
- Mentor faculty to set clear expectations for Extension programming, scholarship, and service, and offer support for success, including promotion and/or tenure.
- Recruit, mentor, and evaluate ENR faculty, including the review of Individual Extension Plans and performance evaluations.
- Work collaboratively with UME Programs (i.e., Agriculture and Food Systems, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences), departments, colleges, and universities to develop partnerships and interdisciplinary programs.
- Serve as an active and collaborative member of the UME senior leadership team, with a diverse portfolio of duties as assigned, including contributions to leadership meetings, strategic planning, programming, and training.
- Work with Maryland Sea Grant leadership to coordinate Maryland Sea Grant Extension faculty programming, goals, and outcome measurement, and to promote collaboration and partnerships.
- Provide oversight for the development, allocation, management, and reporting of funds supporting the UME ENR Program, including those sourced from federal and state agencies and private industry partners such as USDA NIFA (RREA), the Maryland Departments of Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
- Provide detailed annual reports to the Associate Dean and Associate Director for Extension and to the Assistant Director of Evaluation and Analysis for local, state, and national stakeholders.
- Present information on outcomes and impacts of UME ENR programs to AGNR College and University administration, and key program stakeholders.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials:

Applications should include a complete curriculum vitae, the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references, and a letter of interest. It is recommended within your letter of interest that you highlight your thoughts about advancing the ENR program and provide brief examples of leadership successes that are not evident in your CV. Applications and nominations should be addressed to Dr. Jeff Howard, Chair, Search Committee. An electronic application is required and must be submitted through UMD Jobs. Applications will be kept confidential.

Please note that you may upload multiple documents within the same upload field when submitting your application.

Best Consideration Date: 5/22/2026

Posting Close Date: n/a

Open Until Filled: Yes

Requirements

Qualifications:
Required –
- Candidates must have an earned doctorate degree (Ph.D.) with at least one degree in environmental science, natural resources, wildlife or forest resources, fisheries, marine science, or a related field, nationally and internationally recognized for accomplishments in applied research and/or extension within a field of specialization, and be qualified to be tenured at the rank of Principal Agent (parallel to professor) or professor at UMD.
- A demonstrated understanding of the field of the ENR program area and Land Grant missions.
Administrative/managerial experience.
- Evidence of leadership, demonstrated ability to work with faculty, staff, administration, stakeholders, and/or other clientele, success in securing and managing interdisciplinary extramurally funded programs, excellence in human relationship skills, and excellent communication skills are essential.
- A demonstrated ability to conduct budget and administrative program management.
- Personal transportation and a valid driver’s license are required. The ability to travel statewide and nationally as needed is expected for this position.
- This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.

Preferences –
- Applied research records are recognized within a field of specialization.
- Seven years of University experience in the fields of Environmental and Natural Resources.
- Demonstrated success in obtaining external funding opportunities in support of teaching, research and/or extension activities

Physical Demands of the Position:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
- This position frequently presents information through verbal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
- The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set up and teardown of research machinery, project displays, tables, and chairs will be necessary at many teaching sites.
- This position requires the employee to work outdoors, participating in field events, delivering programs, and teaching at events. This may occur during very hot and/or inclement weather.
- Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations.
 

Contact Information