Executive Director, NRULPC

The Executive Director of the Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center (NRULPC) engages and facilitates work and collaborations with Arizona natural resource users, landowners, non-profits, stakeholders, faculty and staff within Arizona Cooperative Extension, the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), the James E Rogers College of Law, and other colleges as appropriate, to set priorities for the NRULPC. The NRULPC supplies private landowners, public lands managers, and natural resource users with critical information and technical assistance when they face complex legal and policy issues. The position also engages with other colleges to promote student participation in the center activities. The Director should have experience with and/or a clear understanding of the role of Cooperative Extension in the Land Grant University mission and work collaboratively with Extension professionals when appropriate.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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1. Representation and Management of the NRULPC:

• Coordinates and attends in-person meetings, conferences, and workshops around the state of Arizona and the western U.S. with stakeholders at the local, regional and national levels as appropriate.
• The Executive Director, with the guidance of the Advisory Board, the AVP and Director of Extension, Dean of the College of Law, and the NRULPC Faculty and staff sets the Center’s agenda based on the needs of natural resource users in Arizona and the western U.S.

2. Mentorship and Staff Development:

• The Executive Director will provide strategic mentorship and professional development opportunities for center staff and affiliate faculty.

3. Collaboration and engagement:

• The Executive Director collaborates with stakeholders inside and outside the university to design and implement a consultative structure that ensures regular feedback and input and prepares quarterly reports to the advisory board.
• The Executive Director continues ongoing engagement with development teams in natural resource users organizations and state leaders.

4. Fundraising:

• The Director is responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising plan to ensure the NRULPC is self-sustaining.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and interest to effectively contribute to interdisciplinary teams.
• Evidence of strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with groups and individuals, public and private entities, and producers.
• Skills in effective and persuasive verbal and written communication and to be an effective collaborator.
• Knowledge of Arizona and Western U.S. agriculture and natural resource management, law, and policy.
• Knowledge of Arizona and Western U.S. agriculture and natural resource business communities.
• Able to secure extramural funding to support applied research and Extension programs.
• Combining science-based knowledge of natural resource management, law and policy, and economic analyses to promote responsible stewardship of natural resources.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• The Director should have experience with and/or a clear understanding of the role of Cooperative Extension in the Land Grant University mission and work collaboratively with Extension professionals when appropriate.
• Master’s degree and/or equivalent training and experience in fields closely related to natural resource management, law, and policy.
• Ph.D., J.D., and/or equivalent training and experience in fields closely related to natural resource management, law, and policy.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in:
  • Training students (i.e., the next generation of natural resource science professionals) to critically evaluate complex natural resource law and policy matters using a hands-on approach to learning.
  • Providing access to legal and technical support for individuals and businesses involved in natural resource management that may not have access due to economic, cultural, and/or social constructs.
• Experience working with both state and federal Government elected officials.
• Experience working with State and Federal Land Management agencies.