Position Title: Program Operations Director

Employee Classification: Program Operations Director

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 304500-NM DEPT OF VOC AG OF NM DEPT EDUC

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate on education & experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  We are searching for a dynamic person to provide advanced professional/technical leadership, consultation, and expertise within Agriculture Education area of focus, and administrative and functional management of the program's activities and staff.

Classification Summary:
Manages and coordinates a major program or set of programs established to address a key area of specialized need within the University and the community. Provides advanced professional/technical leadership, consultation, and expertise within the program's area of focus, and administrative and functional management of the program's activities and staff. Sets strategic direction, develops and implements work scope; establishes funding, and provides operational planning, budgeting, and assessment.

Classification Standard Duties:
Programs are usually self-funded and/or grant-funded from a major funding source or series of funding sources. Directs and coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of a comprehensive University program. Programs managed are of key operational impact, both within and external to the University, and are typically revenue-generating and/or grant-funded from a major funding source. Establishes and implements short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness and effects improvement changes. Serves as a principal point of collaboration, leadership, and expertise to constituencies on professional and operational matters pertaining to the mission, goals, objectives, and work scope of the program. Designs, implements, and evaluates organization to effectively accomplish the program goals;Provides advanced technical leadership and direction to staff, University constituencies and community organizations and representatives within a broadly specified area of professional expertise. Identifies and solicits local, state, federal, and/or international funding sources for programs; provides leadership in planning, development, and implementation of strategies and initiatives for generating program resources. Represents the university to various institutional divisions as well as to external entities:the media, governmental agencies, prospective funding agencies and others. Develops and manages annual budgets. Recommends and participates in the development of University policies and procedures and may serve on planning and policy-making committees. Oversees all facets of the daily operations of the organizational unit, ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations. Oversees the supervision of personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion and enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Eight (8) years of increasingly progressive management experience in one or more areas that report to this position.; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methods, and techniques within a prescribed area of professional specialty. Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques. Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.; SKILLS:Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management. Program planning, development, implementation, and leadership skills. Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. Strategic planning skills. Employee development and performance management skills.; ABILITIES:Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial and operational data and prepare business reports, projections, and recommendations. Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex partnership/organizational structure. Ability to provide technical guidance and leadership to professional staff and clientele in the field. Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. Ability to develop and implement funding strategies and programs. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Manages the Agriculture Education programs established to address areas of specialized need within New Mexico. Provides advanced professional/technical leadership, consultation, and expertise within Agriculture Education area of focus, and administrative and functional management of the program's activities and staff. Sets strategic direction of curriculum used in Agriculture Education, develops and implements professional development to improve Agriculture Teacher knowledge; and provides operational planning, and assessments.
-Provide on-site technical assistance, evaluations, and on-going remote assistance to New Mexico schools with agricultural education programs and teachers.
-Develop curriculum, instructional resources, and associated resources for middle school, junior high, and high school agricultural teachers.
-Facilitate, assist, and deliver professional development for Agriculture Education teachers virtually and at conferenced, workshops, and other events.
-Lead collaboration, manage and support major organizational initiatives and work streams as required, which may include leading cross-functional teams to address emerging needs; designing and implementing new processes or systems; or supporting division led initiatives.
- Implement agricultural educator recruitment and retention initiatives including conferences, attendance at career fairs, presentation of workshops, and other activities to reach potential future agricultural educators.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position
This position will require travel both in and out of state. Will require working evenings and weekends as needed.

Department Contact:  Gary Aycock, 575-646-3036, rga@nmsu.edu,

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.