director of the williston research education center (wrec)
Job ID - 2956654
Business Unit - North Dakota State University
Location - Williston
Posted - 04/02/2025
Full/Part Time - Full-Time
Department - AES Williston R/E Ctr
Close Date - Open Until Filled
Description & Details: The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) is currently conducting a search for the Director of the Williston Research Extension Center (WREC).
The Director will have administrative responsibility for pursuing excellence in agricultural research and educational programs for the WREC, located near Williston, ND. The Director will provide leadership, supervision and performance evaluations for Center staff, and facilitate collaboration among the Center staff and other research and Extension professionals in the NDSU system, as well as agencies, organizations, and entities that aid agriculture, energy resources, related industries, or economic activities in the region. The Director will manage the Center’s budget and coordinate budget development in conjunction with the Assistant Director for Field Operations, the WREC advisory board and State Board of Agricultural Research and Education. The Director will provide leadership in obtaining external, competitively funded research and/or educational awards, and develop collaborative projects important to the well-being of rural communities, agricultural production systems and natural resources in northwestern North Dakota. Research effort focuses on dryland and irrigated crop production practices, crop germplasm evaluation and improvement, plant disease control and management, evaluation of new agricultural technologies, cropping systems and crop rotation research, and foundation seedstocks production. This individual will report to the Assistant Director for Field Operations. This is a joint position between Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) and Extension.
About the Center:
The WREC, established in 1907 and relocated to the present site in 1954, is an 800-acre semi-arid farm located in northwest North Dakota near the city of Williston. In 2001, an additional 160 acres were purchased in the Nesson Valley and an irrigated research and development project was established. The WREC scientists and Extension specialists conduct research in areas such as crop variety evaluation, herbicide performance and other cultural management research, cropping systems, regenerative agriculture, soil health, and soil and water conservation practices. The WREC staff includes several M.S. and Ph.D. scientists. The main dryland crops in the MonDak region are spring wheat, durum wheat, canola, and lentil. Barley, oat, safflower, field pea, chickpea, flax, sunflower, corn, alfalfa, soybean, and potato are grown as cash crops or for livestock feed. The MonDak region represents both western ND and eastern Montana.
About Williston, ND:
Williston is a city in and the county seat of Williams County, North Dakota, United States. The 2020 census gave its population as 29,160, making Williston the sixth-largest city in North Dakota. The city's population nearly doubled between 2010 and 2020, due largely to the North Dakota oil boom. For more information please visit https://www.visitwilliston.com/visit/.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned M.S. in an agricultural discipline closely aligned with the Center’s research programs from an accredited institution.
- Three years of documented experience in planning, designing, and implementing research or extension programs in a related field that is aligned with the mission of the center such as cropping systems, agronomy, plant pathology, animal science, soil science and natural resource management, precision agriculture, agricultural economics, livestock production systems, sustainable agriculture, or other closely related fields.
- Demonstrated ability and skills in people management, leadership, team building, effective delegation, and conflict management and resolution.
- Demonstrated experience managing and supervising employees in a collegial fashion.
- Demonstrated abilities in fiscal management and budgeting.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with diverse agricultural clientele, agri-business, community groups, and local and state policy makers.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with scientists, agricultural producers, and other clientele associated with agriculture and natural resources.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Earned Ph.D. in an agricultural discipline closely aligned with the Center’s research programs from an accredited institution.
- Significant experience and accomplishments in research and extension programming in an area related to applicable research needs for northwestern North Dakota.
- Demonstrated experience with dryland crop, irrigation, and/or livestock production systems.
- Extensive and documented experience as a leader of multidisciplinary research and outreach programs and a record of accomplishment leading multidisciplinary teams and groups.
- Demonstrated and effective use of agricultural technology.
- Demonstrated success in obtaining extramural funding, and/or experience developing strong collaborative research and/or Extension with other scientists, research extension centers and/or agencies and organizations.
- Significant record of creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurial approach to support research, extension, or outreach programming.
- Ability to work across distance to accomplish research and extension mission with main station and other research extension centers.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and experience with management of projects and resources.
- Demonstrated experience or knowledge of crop-based seedstock production practices.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Special Instructions to applicants:
Applications are accepted online only at https://jobs.ndsu.edu. Create an account, search for opening, and create and submit your application when prompted. Interested applicants should submit the following: 1.) Cover letter (two pages maximum), 2.) Curriculum vitae, 3.) Leadership statement (two pages maximum), and 4.) Names and contact information (telephone numbers, postal address, email address) of three professional references.
Screening will begin 4/30/35
Direct questions to:
Chris Augustin, Search Committee Chair
Director, Dickinson Research Extension Center
701-456-1103
Chris.augustin@ndsu.edu
NDSU OFFERS EXCELLENT BENEFITS!
Full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
- Health Insurance coverage with 100% of the premium paid for by NDSU for Single or Family Plan
- Option of a PPO/Basic Plan or High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account
- Benefits begin the first of the month following date of hire
- Wellness benefits are included for healthy lifestyle participation
- Superb Retirement Plan
- Employer Contributions range from 7.5% - 12.26% based on position
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Tuition Waivers for Employee (three classes per calendar year)
- Tuitions Waivers for Spouse/Partner & Dependents (eligible for 50% waiver)
- Paid Leave – including Annual leave, Sick Leave and 10 paid Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Optional benefits include: Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-term care insurance, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care) and Supplemental Retirement Plans
- More Detailed Information Here: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
EO/AA Statement:
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.
Diversity Statement:
NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.