Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
| Working Title | 30-25 Colorado Water Center Associate Director |
|---|---|
| Position Location | Fort Collins, CO |
| Work Location | Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work |
| Research Professional Position | No |
| Posting Number | 202500863AP |
| Position Type | Admin Professional/ Research Professional |
| Classification Title | Management I |
| Number of Vacancies | 1 |
| Work Hours/Week | 40 |
| Proposed Annual Salary Range | $95,000 – $115,000, commensurate with education and experience. |
| Employee Benefits | Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.Review our detailed benefits information here.Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in! |
| Desired Start Date | |
| Position End Date (if temporary) | |
| To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on | 07/14/2025 |
| Description of Work Unit | The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE) was organized in 2006 to advance CSU’s engagement and outreach missions. OEE includes CSU Extension, CSU Extended Campus (including CSU Online), the Colorado Water Center and a variety of vibrant programs that engage the teaching, research, extension, and service missions of Colorado State University. The Vice President for Engagement and Extension (VPEE) is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE works collaboratively across all Colleges and offices on campus, and has strong engagement programs throughout Colorado, the Western US and globally. At any given time, OEE includes over 400 employees. The total of budgets is approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. Annually, CSU Extended Campus garners enrollments of over 10,000 learners and CSU Extension delivers approximately 500,000 educational contacts.The Colorado Water Center (CoWC) serves as a hub for water-related research, engagement, outreach, and education. Established as one of the 54 Water Resources Research Institutes created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, the CoWC, serves as a convener of critical conversations addressing the complex water challenges faced in Colorado and beyond. CoWC is dedicated to bridging gaps between communities, scientists, policymakers, and educators, aiming to convene diverse voices in water management and elevate sustainable practices, leveraging expertise from across Colorado’s higher education system to address evolving water challenges. The Center is headquartered at CSU’s Fort Collins, Colorado campus, with specialists working throughout the state and partners across the country and world. Visit the CoWC website for additional information: watercenter.colostate.edu.We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually. |
| Position Summary | The Associate Director serves in a leadership position with the Colorado Water Center (CoWC), which fulfills an important role in higher education throughout Colorado and beyond. In this capacity, the Associate Director assists in leading and ensuring execution of CoWC’s research and education programs, outreach activities, communications, and operations to advance the Center’s mission and goals.The Associate Director defines and implements water-related initiatives in concert with CoWC’s Director. The Associate Director works with the Center’s senior research scientists, CSU Extension water specialists, and water experts to advance knowledge and solutions to priority water challenges. They are responsible for bringing together interdisciplinary teams to successfully compete for external grant funding, and providing administrative direction for the Colorado Water Center. |
| Required Job Qualifications | Master’s degree in a water-related field.Minimum eight years of experience in program administration and management, including leading multi-entity collaborative water-related projects and programs, coordinating teams, providing effective follow-up and evaluation of success, and developing and implementing administrative processes, policies, and procedures.Minimum five years of supervisory and personnel management experience (for teams of two or more), including hiring, training and coaching, performance evaluation, professional development, conflict management, and fostering positive work environments.Minimum five years of experience working in interdisciplinary environments focused on water or related natural resource research, education, and outreach, with proven ability to build strong internal and external relationships that support organizational goals.Demonstrated success in resource generation (grants, contracts, partnership agreements, user fees) and program-level budget development and management.Ability to communicate as demonstrated through application materials and experience in public speaking/presentation and writing skills and/or working as part of a group or team.Willing and able to travel throughout Colorado, U.S., and internationally. Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Colorado Water Center will not sponsor a visa for this position. |
| Preferred Job Qualifications | Experience with bringing together diverse water stakeholders and perspectives with a demonstrated ability to encourage, facilitate, and develop consensus among opposing constituencies.Experience with the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational and/or workforce development programming.Ability to recognize opportunities and generate buy-in to guide organizational change and support opportunities for extending the work of universities in communities.Demonstrated understanding of Colorado and Western U.S. water systems, complex issues, and key stakeholders.Knowledge of the Land-Grant Institution system. |
Essential Duties
| Job Duty Category | Program Leadership |
|---|---|
| Duty/Responsibility | Identify community needs, develop strategy, and manage CoWC education/workforce, community engagement, and research programs in partnership with communities and CSU faculty and extension, measuring progress against metrics and deliverables.Sustainably increase impact/expand existing education and engagement initiatives of the CoWC such as Water Literate Leaders of Northern Colorado, Colorado Project WET, CoWC CSU courses, the Sustainable Interdisciplinary Water Minor, and stakeholder engagement on water quality issues.Build teams of staff and partners to efficiently and successfully deliver programs and projects.Lead interdisciplinary programs, initiatives and special projects that advance solutions to priority water challenges and support the efforts of CoWC’s senior research staff, regional water specialists, and campus partners.Continually tie programmatic milestones to CoWC’s mission and goals.Ensure capacity and resources exist (either internal to CoWC or through partnerships) to achieve program goals.Track ROI and use this information to communicate CoWC’s success to internal and external audiences and make recommendations for improvements. |
| Percentage Of Time | 35% |
| Job Duty Category | Campus and Community Engagement |
|---|---|
| Duty/Responsibility | Engage directly and frequently with Colorado communities, water stakeholders, decision-makers, and industry partners to identify and understand water education, workforce development, research, and policy needs; build external relationships, trust, and partnerships to increase CoWC’s impact in communities across the state.Build and foster connections with faculty, staff, and students across the CSU community, including on-campus colleges and departments, CSU Spur, Global, and other campuses, Colorado’s institutions of higher education, and other U.S. land-grant colleges and universities. o Facilitate connections and interdisciplinary teaming to develop and coordinate water-related research. o Strengthen water education/workforce programming at CSU and in partnership with other educational institutions to meet student and workforce needs. o Facilitate integration and expansion of CoWC programs within OEE, including water education and workforce programming for Extension and CSU Online.Establish external and internal partnerships and activities that capitalize on CoWC’s expertise and lead to ongoing dialogue and funding opportunities.Co-lead CoWC’s Faculty Advisory Committee and External Advisory Committee.Serve on internal and external committees and boards that align with CoWC’s mission and goals.Represent CoWC at water-related conferences, meetings, and events.Increase visibility of the Colorado Water Center & CSU water-related initiatives through marketing and communications in collaboration with OEE. |
| Percentage Of Time | 35% |
| Job Duty Category | Administration and Supervision |
|---|---|
| Duty/Responsibility | Advance CoWC’s strategic vision and implement identified priorities in partnership with CoWC’s Director.Oversee the unit’s education/workforce, stakeholder engagement, and communications program staff.Develop and strengthen internal infrastructure, operations, and processes.Support CoWC’s grant programs, including oversight of request for proposals, proposal reviews, communication with project investigators, reporting, and impact assessment.Provide general Colorado Water Center administrative support including but not limited to budget planning and oversight.Serve on the CoWC Leadership Team. |
| Percentage Of Time | 30% |
Application Details
| Special Instructions to Applicants | For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, July 14, 2025. Please submit the following to apply:ResumeCover LetterSpecial Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office at HR_TA@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Julee Stephenson at Julee.Stephenson@colostate.edu.CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. |
|---|---|
| Conditions of Employment | Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel – Willing and able to travel throughout Colorado, U.S., and internationally. |
| Search Contact | Julee Stephenson at Julee.Stephenson@colostate.edu |
| EEO | Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. |
| Background Check Policy Statement | Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so. |
References Requested
References Requested
| Minimum Requested | 4 |
|---|---|
| Maximum Requested | 4 |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Special Required Documentation
Optional Documents
