Research Associate Program Director

The Great Basin Institute is a Reno, NV based interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West. With an $8 million annual budget, the Institute advances ecological literacy and habitat restoration through educational outreach and direct service programs. The Research Associate (RA) Program, seeks a Program Director who will be responsible for the overall growth and development of the RA Program, including project and partner development, RA recruitment and retention, facilitation of training and professional development opportunities, and RA management and administration. The RA Program Director is responsible for local, state and regional project initiatives, including compliance with and reporting on a national AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP) grant. The Director will also develop and maintain existing partner agency relationships through site visits, fiscal oversight, and contract management. Specific duties include:

1. Project Solicitation/Formulation – Seek-out new and expanded RA projects; agency/partner work plan review; grant writing and project SOW formulation; contract/agreement development, review, documentation, and management
2. Recruitment and Hiring – develop recruitment and hiring strategies, as well as position descriptions; schedule and conduct interviews and reference checks; review and approve all RA personnel paperwork (new hire, renewal, benefit, and end of term)
3. Project Management – develop and/or facilitate job hazards analysis (JHA) and/or risk management procedures; establish and communicate RA roles, expectations, and work schedule; facilitate RA orientation and evaluations
4. Project Logistics – gather, purchase, rent or otherwise acquire and inventory all necessary field and office equipment, PPE, uniform(s), cell phone(s), and credit card(s); conduct appropriate background checks
5. Program Administration and Internal Financial Reporting – ensure weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly personnel and financial paperwork is completed and submitted on-time and in compliance with GBI and AmeriCorps requirements and procedures; review and approve payroll and project billing paperwork; maintain RA contact lists
6. Outreach – contribute articles for quarterly newsletters and recruitment materials; maintain and update RA profiles and project status on GBI website; submit press releases and success stories to local news outlets and AmeriCorps
7. Reporting – review and provide feedback on quarterly RA reports; review and author partner agency and grant reports in accordance with stated schedules
8. Training – schedule/facilitate training and professional development opportunities including but not limited to regional quarterly workshops

Location and Timeline:
• GBI Headquarters in Reno, NV
• Annual contract, with potential for extension pending performance review
• Start Date: April or May (upon availability)
• Full time, a minimum of 40 hours per week

Compensation:
• Rate of Pay: DOE
• Paid Health/Dental Coverage
• Personal Leave benefits
• 401(k) option

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to biology, restoration ecology, environmental studies/science, natural resource management, environmental policy, cultural resource studies, or related field;
• Experience with project management including scheduling, logistics, personnel management, staff recruitment and retention, and training;
• Knowledge and experience utilizing the Microsoft Office suite of programs (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Project) to manage, present and track Program information;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Strongly developed organizational skills and ability to self-motivate;
• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic office environment;
• Ability to pass an FBI criminal background and National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) check.
• Applicants with advanced degrees and/or additional experience related to the following are highly encouraged to apply:
o marketing, advertising, public relations, or promotional materials
o accounting or fiscal compliance for grants and/or contracts
o operations of Great Basin Institute or similarly-sized non-profit organization
o AmeriCorps or other national service program requirements (as a member or program staff)

How to Apply

Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, at bwalden(at)thegreatbasininstitute.org.