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Director, Center for Grassland Studies (0.40 FTE; Open to IANR Faculty Only)

Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources · Lincoln, NE · 1 mo ago
OTHRFull-time

0.40 FTE position open to IANR faculty only. Located in Lincoln, NE.

About the Role

The Director of the Center for Grassland Studies (CGS) oversees all CGS programs and supervises CGS staff. Key responsibilities include administering the Grassland Systems undergraduate degree program in cooperation with the Grassland Systems curriculum committee, contributing academic units (Agronomy/Horticulture, School of Natural Resources, Animal Science, and Agricultural Economics), and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). The role involves coordination of teaching, advising, recruiting, scholarships, assessment, curriculum development, and bulletin updates for the Grassland Systems major.

Outreach and extension activities include programmatic and administrative support for the Nebraska Grazing Conference, the GRAS 490 Grassland Seminar and Leu Lecture, management of the CGS website, newsletter, and social media, and engagement with stakeholders through the CGS Citizens Advisory Council and outreach events.

The Director promotes grassland research by developing grant proposals, encouraging research at IANR’s grassland properties, awarding the Arthur W. Sampson Graduate Fellowship, and administering NU Foundation Funds for grassland-related activities. The role also includes managing IANR properties assigned to CGS, coordinating with state and federal agencies and adjacent landowners, and integrating these properties into CGS’s teaching, research, and outreach missions.

The Director will position CGS as:

  • The University of Nebraska’s convenor for grassland systems expertise and collaboration.
  • A catalyst for interdisciplinary research and innovation.
  • A trusted source of science-based solutions for grassland and grazing systems.
  • A leader in grassland workforce development and student success.
  • A connector of CGS strengths, stakeholder needs, and societal impact.

The person hired will retain 60% of their current position and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee all CGS programs and supervise CGS staff.
  • Administer the Grassland Systems undergraduate degree program in collaboration with academic units and CASNR.
  • Coordinate teaching, advising, recruiting, scholarships, assessment, and curriculum updates for the Grassland Systems major.
  • Provide programmatic and administrative support for the Nebraska Grazing Conference, GRAS 490 Grassland Seminar, and Leu Lecture.
  • Manage the CGS website, newsletter, and social media.
  • Engage stakeholders through the CGS Citizens Advisory Council and outreach events.
  • Promote grassland research by developing grant proposals and encouraging research at IANR grassland properties.
  • Administer the Arthur W. Sampson Graduate Fellowship and NU Foundation Funds for grassland-related activities.
  • Manage IANR properties assigned to CGS, coordinating with agencies and landowners to align with long-term management objectives.
  • Integrate IANR grassland properties into CGS’s teaching, research, and outreach missions.

Requirements

  • Must currently hold a full-time associate professor or professor position within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • Demonstrated programming (research, teaching, and/or Extension) aligned with grassland systems.

Preferred Qualifications

  • A champion for integrating research, Extension, and teaching to advance the land-grant mission.
  • Ability to build trust and foster shared ownership across departments, schools, centers, disciplines, and stakeholder groups.
  • Proven success leading collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Strategic vision for the future of grassland systems and Nebraska’s leadership role in addressing emerging challenges.
  • Ability to convene faculty, staff, students, agencies, industry, producers, and partners around shared priorities.
  • Commitment to student success, workforce development, and experiential learning.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to elevate visibility, strengthen partnerships, and articulate the value of grasslands to diverse audiences.
  • Experience developing external partnerships and identifying opportunities for investment and growth.
  • Collaborative leadership style that values multiple perspectives and fosters innovation.

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