Assistant Director, Family & Consumer Sciences

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES (Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty)

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and Eastern Shore (UMES), invite applications and nominations for the position of Assistant Director, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) for the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE). The Assistant Director is administratively responsible to the MCE Associate Dean & Associate Director and must understand and be committed to the Cooperative Extension and Land-Grant University mission and to the family and consumer sciences program.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership to develop innovative and dynamic programs that will lead the nation in addressing urban and suburban audiences while maintaining traditional rural programming.
• Provide overall statewide leadership, personnel management and direction to family & consumer sciences (FCS) faculty, staff and programs in family financial management, nutrition and health, and the emerging area of healthy homes/home environment.
• Coordinate capacity development through in-service & other professional development training, and through the acquisition and management of grants, donations, and other resources to support family and consumer sciences programs.
• Collaborate with MCE administrative team, including MCE Associate Dean & Associate Director, Assistant Directors of 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture & Natural Resources; Coordinator, Sea Grant Extension, the 1890 Extension Administrator for MCE, and program leadership.
• Work with Regional Extension Directors and MCE faculty at county/city (24 program units), regional centers and state levels to plan, implement, evaluate and report on successful MCE programs.
• Provide leadership and support to FCS program planning process emphasizing needs assessment, evaluation, and state wide outcomes; coordinate core curricula, publications & evaluation planning processes; develop and manage linkages between Extension specialists and educators.
• Develop and maintain working relationship with College of AGNR faculty, including extension specialists, FSNE and EFNEP employees, and faculty in other university departments to develop and expand FCS programming.
• Develop and maintain linkages with relevant individuals, agencies, organizations, and other university units, the State of MD and nationally to enhance Extension’s educational mission in family and consumer sciences.
• Contribute to the establishment, interpretation and communication of AGNR and MCE policies; integrate MCE and University diversity and affirmative action guidelines into all FCS program efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in Family Studies, Human Development, Financial Planning/Consumer Economics, Nutrition, Food Science, Administration, Education, Public Health or a related discipline. At least one degree in one of the above areas is preferred.
• Must be able to qualify for tenure at the associate or full professor level in an appropriate university department.
• Experience in program management/administrative functions and in the program development process, including strategic planning and evaluation as well as innovative, dynamic and novel program development. Minimum of five years experience in Cooperative Extension work and relevant regional, statewide or national administrative experience.
• A successful record of teaching, research and/or outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a leader and team member.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to communicate effectively and to motivate diverse constituencies at all levels. 

Salary/Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.

Application:

A complete application packet includes a current, signed curriculum vitae, official transcripts, three professional references (minimum), including name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address, and a statement of interest & philosophy of family and consumer sciences programs as related to outreach education. Send this information to:

MCE Family & Consumer Sciences Search Committee

c/o Ms. Barbara Duncan

Director of Human Resources Management

1119 Symons Hall

University of Maryland

College Park, MD 20742-5551

Telephone inquiries may be directed to: Lisa Lachenmayr, Search Committee Chair, 410.715.6903.

Closing Date:

Application packet should be submitted by May 30, 2008 or until a suitable candidate is selected.

Minorities and Women are Encouraged to Apply

The University of Maryland is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer