CONTEXT 
The University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships are a multi-college program of the University formed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1997. The West Central/Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (WC/SW Partnership) is led by a Board composed of citizen leaders and University of Minnesota faculty. The citizen-driven Board identifies research, education, and outreach projects aimed at improving economic, social, and environmental sustainability of West Central and Southwest Minnesota's agriculture, natural resources, energy, and tourism resources. It then links University faculty, students and other resources to its projects which are financed by state funds and other sources. Operating policies and statewide projects are coordinated among the five Partnerships by a Statewide Coordinating Committee composed of staff and citizens from each region, at-large citizen representatives, and representatives of three Partnership colleges. 

DESCRIPTION 
The Executive Director supports the WC/SW Partnership's Board of Directors and its research, education, and outreach projects. The Executive Director must have an understanding of university-based research, education, and outreach processes; a basic knowledge of agriculture, natural resources, tourism and/or sustainable development; an ability to lead a process of shared decision-making between local citizens and University faculty; and community engagement skills that build partnerships. This person must also have excellent communication skills and the managerial skills needed to oversee several projects at one time. The Director must be a catalyst and team builder who supports the University's community engagement mission. The primary geographic area served is the West Central and Southwest region of Minnesota. 

Foster teamwork that builds a partnership between the Board, citizens of West Central and Southwest Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota. 
Work as a team member with the Extension Regional Directors in Southwest Minnesota to build programmatic and community based synergies in research, education, and outreach. This includes working with the UM Morris campus, the Research and Outreach Centers and other U of M units located within the region. 
Builds Extension and UM campus relationship, including connecting students and faculty to community based projects and groups 
Work with the citizen-faculty Board, businesses, organizations, and agencies to convene and identify issues and opportunities to improve the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of West Central and Southwest Minnesota's agriculture, natural resources, and tourism resources, currently focusing on local foods, energy and water resources. 
Work with local stakeholders and University faculty to strategically design, implement and evaluate sustainable development research, education and outreach projects. 
Identify and recruit University faculty, system-wide, and other expertise to conduct research, education, and outreach projects recommended by the Board and workgroups. 
Provide administrative support to carry out the Partnership's work: supervise students and staff, develop contracts, monitor funds, provide oversight of funded projects to insure they accomplish goals and meet deadlines, provide staff support for meetings and other Partnership work. 
Maintain open communication between the WC/SW Partnership, the other four Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Statewide Coordinating Committee, the Statewide Director, the three Partnership colleges, and University faculty and administrators. 
Communicate project progress and outcomes to regional stakeholders and the media. 
Pursue external fundraising activities to include identifying and responding to funding opportunities, such as grants.  

Required: 
A master's degree. 
The equivalent of 3 full years of experience in research, education, and/or community engagement 
Demonstrated experience in facilitating, organizing and leading diverse groups through decision making and planning processes. 
Demonstrated strong skills and abilities in oral and written communication, leadership and team building 
Demonstrated ability to work with people and organizations that represent significant diversity in culture, values, education, occupation, and income 
Demonstrated ability to work in a university setting and in rural communities.
Demonstrated track record in grant writing and administration 
Demonstrated knowledge and community networking capacity in one or more of the WC/SW Partnership's focused areas of sustainable development--energy, local foods/agriculture and natural resources/water quality 

Preferred: 
One degree or at least 3 years of experience related to sustainable agriculture, natural resources, energy, sustainable community development, or related fields.  

Application Deadline:
February 1, 2012 
Initial application screening will take place immediately after this date. Position will remain open until filled. 

Location: To be determined by date of hire 

TO APPLY 
Please submit a cover letter and resume or vitae at
https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=100211 

Transcript(s) for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) and three names of professional references (including name and contact information) are also required to complete your application. To submit lists of professional references online, you can attach them to the "references" section of the "Required Documents". To submit your transcripts online, you can attach them to the "additional document" section of the "Optional Documents". 

Hard copies of transcripts for all college work that cannot be submitted online should be sent to: 
Naaz Babvani 
Extension Human Resources 
260 Coffey Hall 
1420 Eckles Avenue 
University of Minnesota 
St. Paul, MN 55108 
babva001@umn.edu 
Telephone: 612-624-3717 
Fax: 612-624-7749 

K Strategies is an award-winning public affairs firm in Uptown Dallas recognized for our success in developing effective and influential diversity, public involvement and public relations programs.  We are currently seeking to fill a part-time internship position.

Job Description:

K Strategies has a dynamic, innovative and fast-paced work environment, and our intern will learn the ins-and-outs of working for a full-service public affairs firm. The intern will assist with event and public meeting coordination and execution, social media, advertising and collateral design, media relations and communications programs, public relations, diversity business programs and client projects. The intern will also be responsible for answering phones, internet research, creating Excel spreadsheets and other administrative tasks.

Job Requirements:

Some criteria we are looking for in applicants include:

·         Working toward an degree in public relations, communications, public affairs or marketing or recently graduated

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills (writing samples required)

·         Exceptional graphic design skills (samples required)

·         Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

·         Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator)

·         Experience using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

·         Understanding of AP and Chicago writing styles

·         Outgoing personality, confident and great people skills

·         Ability to take direction and thrive in a team environment

·         Strong organizational and time-management skills

·         Ability to occasionally work evenings to assist with special events

·         Available a minimum of 20 hours per week

Application Instructions: Please submit cover letter (including current compensation) and resume along with design and writing samples showcasing your talents to info@kstrategies.com.  Submissions without writing and design samples will not be reviewed.

K Strategies is an award-winning public affairs firm in Uptown Dallas recognized for our success in developing effective and influential diversity, public involvement and public relations programs. We are currently seeking a talented professional with experience in the areas of public involvement and/or public relations.

Job Description:

K Strategies has a dynamic, innovative and fast-paced work environment, and this position will enable the candidate to understand the ins-and-outs of working for a full-service public affairs firm. Responsibilities of the candidate may consist of the following:

Assist in directing and managing public involvement projects including:

·         Creating public involvement/public relations plans and strategy

·         Planning and coordinating public meeting, ground breakings and special events

·         Developing, designing and writing newsletters and marketing collateral

·         Creating stakeholder databases

·         Participating in and leading meetings with owner, clients and subconsultants

·         Handling correspondence with public, public officials and community groups

·         Staying updated on community issues in project areas

Assist in directing and managing public relations projects including:

·         Creating comprehensive public relations plans

·         Writing press releases

·         Developing media kits

·         Designing signage, flyers, invitations, door hangers and other marketing collateral

·         Developing, designing and writing newsletters

·         Developing websites

·         Managing social media programs

·         Coordinating special events (ground breakings, grand openings, etc.)

·         Managing media relations and developing media lists

·         Assisting with crisis communications

Job Requirements:

Criteria we are looking for in applicants include:

·         3-7 years of full-time employment experience in public involvement, public relations or related areas in a professional setting dealing with clients and C-level executives

·         Bachelor's degree (or higher) in public relations, advertising, marketing, business or related field

·         Excellent writing, communications and presentation skills (writing samples required)

·         Exceptional graphic design skills (design samples required)

·         Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

·         Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator)

·         Proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

·         Understanding of AP and Chicago writing styles

·         Outgoing personality, confident and great people skills

·         Detail oriented and strong organizational and time-management skills

·         Sharp, quick and critical thinking skills

·         Ability to occasionally work evenings and/or weekends to assist with public meetings and special events

·         Strong and established community relationships in the Dallas/Fort Worth area

·         Experience in media relations

·         Experience in the transportation and/or construction industries

Application Instructions: Please submit cover letter of why you are a great candidate for the position (including current compensation) and resume along with design and writing samples showcasing your talents to info@kstrategies.com.  Submissions without writing and design samples will not be reviewed.

community outreach, community involvement and public information