Spooner Superintendent

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Research Program Manager (B)

Job Summary:

The Agricultural Research Stations in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is seeking a forward thinking leader to be the next Superintendent of our Spooner Agricultural Research Station.  Located in Northwestern Wisconsin, the Spooner Station serves UW faculty in seeking tomorrows answers on this unique soil type.  In this role, you will work closely with faculty, technicians and students to deliver impeccable and repeatable research outcomes.  The Superintendent is also responsible for the day to day cropping plans of the station and seeks to develop new ways that the station can serve our research teams and the public. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims

• Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program

• Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures

• Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information

• Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives

• Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

Department:

Spooner Agricultural Research Station

Compensation:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $72,000 to $92,000. However, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, or a closely related field.

• Experience managing agricultural or horticultural operations and applying research-based practices (e.g., Oversight of crop rotation schedules, irrigation systems, and pest management plans on a research farm)

• Experience applying leadership and team management skills that includes effort fostering collaboration and accountability (e.g., Supervising seasonal and full-time staff and coordinating daily field activities to meet research timelines)

• Experience providing effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to convey technical information clearly  (e.g., Preparing detailed reports for faculty and presenting findings at research meetings)

• Valid driver’s license meeting UW Risk Management standards

• Certified pesticide applicator (Must have certification at hire or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, or a related discipline (e.g., Masters in Soil Science with thesis research on nutrient management strategies)

• Experience supervising staff and coordinating research projects in an agricultural setting (e.g., Leading a team in implementing experimental plots and ensuring compliance with research protocols)

• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making, particularly in dynamic field environments (e.g., Quickly adjusting planting schedules due to unexpected weather conditions or equipment failure)

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soil Science or related field Required. 

• Masters Degree Preferred

How to Apply:

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:

Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background

Cover Letter (optional) - Refer to your related work experience

Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Contact Information:

Andrew Vaudt, HR Generalist (andrew.vaudt@wisc.edu)

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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