Administrative Manager (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences)

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences is seeking an Administrative Manager for the Center for Water Policy. This role involves supporting the Director, managing administration, finances, and budgets, and positioning the Center as a leader in water policy solutions. The position emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students to address freshwater resource challenges. The job is located in Milwaukee, WI.
Administrative Manager (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences)

Position Number:

Introduction (Description of School/College/Dept/Program)

The School of Freshwater Sciences has a rich history of scientific discovery that has evolved over decades. Originally founded in 1966 as the Center for Great Lakes Studies on UWM’s main campus, it moved to the Great Lakes Research Facility in the Milwaukee Harbor District in 1973. For five decades, the school’s researchers have studied the Great Lakes and other large freshwater systems around the world, as well as inland waters, urban river systems, groundwater and more. Our research focus is on freshwater system dynamics, human and ecosystem health, the application of water technology to research questions, and water policy and economics. The pioneering graduate program began in 2009, evolving from decades of cutting-edge research conducted by UWM faculty at the Center for Great Lakes Studies and the Great Lakes WATER Institute. The undergraduate program launched in 2021 to expand our interdisciplinary approach and train students to meet the growing demand for water science professionals. In 2022 the school expanded to include atmospheric sciences to better integrate the study of freshwater, weather and climate. Currently the School of Freshwater Sciences offers PhDs, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in freshwater sciences and atmospheric science and educates more than 100 students annually. Our work informs policy, improves water management, and promotes the health and sustainability of freshwater systems worldwide. We are driven to make a difference for our waters because we care about them, the communities they’re in and the people who interact with them.

Center for Water Policy Description: The https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/ is to provide world class interdisciplinary solutions to resolve regional, national and international problems related to the protection, restoration and conservation of freshwater resources to ensure long term environmental health and quality of life. Established in 2011 through a $2.6 million Endowment from Lynde B. Uihlein, the Center builds on the research of the School of Freshwater Sciences, the Universities of Wisconsin, and networks and partnerships with top scholars, scientists, and policy institutions across the country and around the world.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director supports the Director of the Center for Water Policy. The Center brings together teams of faculty, postdocs, graduate and law students, and undergraduates to produce academic articles, reports, policy briefs and communications. The Center’s mission is to provide interdisciplinary solutions to resolve regional, national and international problems related to the protection, restoration and conservation of freshwater resources. The Assistant Director will provide support to the Director in positioning the Center for Water Policy, the School of Freshwater Sciences, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a national and international center of excellence in addressing water policy issues, research and innovation. The Assistant Director will be responsible for managing the administration, financials, budget and human resources for the Center, research and prepare materials for extramural support and sponsorships, coordinate communications and outreach, and contribute to collaborative research initiatives that promote science-based, sustainable water policies within the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Responsibilities: Program and strategy support – 20%

• Engages in planning and identifying water policy priorities with the Director to shape the Center for Water Policy’s strategic direction;

• Provides administrative and strategic support to the Advisory Board; and

• Manages process and distribution of awards for the Fellows, Water Policy Scholars, and other Center programs.

Administrative, development, financial and human resources management – 30%

• Assists with establishment of goals and priorities for the annual budget for all revenues and expenditures;

• Manages the Center budget, ensuring resources are allocated in a fashion that is aligned with the mission and goals of the Center and, in the case of grant or philanthropic support, complies with the grantor or donor intent;

• Assists the Director with supervising staff, including postdocs, student researchers and interns;

• Researches and prepares materials for extramural funding for the Center’s priorities, such as grant applications and reports;

• Prepares reports and assessments of all Center related activities for the Director;

• Prepares summaries of key center related activities suitable for campus/public viewing;

• Prepares required reports to government and private funders;

• Acts as liaison to UWM administration and human resources, including navigating UWM databases, processes, and compliance requirements;

• Helps develop processes and procedures to improve the Center; and

• Ensures that related policies, procedures and standards are maintained.

Outreach and communication – 10%

• Supervises communications fellow’s outreach to water policy community and support opportunities for the center to participate in public discussions and development of water policy;

• Supports collaborations with faculty and staff in the School of Freshwater Sciences and other public and private institutions, including coordinating with the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin; and

• Supports the Center’s leadership of the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network.

Research Mission – 35%

• Engages in high quality water policy research and writing; and

• Serves as more senior staff researcher to mentor research by others within the Center.

Other Duties as Assigned by the Director – 5%

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year of management, budget, or development experience

• Juris Doctorate

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of management, budget, or development experience

• Advanced degree relevant to position: MS, MBA , PhD

• Experience that demonstrates ability to support work environment that embraces people from all backgrounds, collaboration, ethical behavior, and team building

• Record of progressively responsible leadership and administrative experience, including personnel recruitment, employee management and budget preparation and management

• Engagement with donors through personal contact

• Experience with supporting grant writing and reporting

• Experience navigating complex institutional processes and databases to accomplish organizational priorities

• Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with multiple partners both academic and non-academic

• Demonstrated success in program management including carrying out coordinated organization, direction and implementation of projects and activities to achieve defined deliverables and outcomes

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with advisory boards and/or governance bodies

• Experience in water protection such as professional work, volunteering, or coursework

Application Instructions

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:

• A cover letter addressing your education/experience as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications

• A Resume/CV

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate’s application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Application Notes

For this position, applicants are required to apply online. UWM will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Additionally, applicants must complete all required fields and attach any required documents. The process is complete when the message “Your application has been submitted” is displayed and you receive a confirmation number.

Legal Notices

AA/EO Statement

UWM is an AA/EO employer: All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status.

Reasonable Accommodations

UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization

In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6083045

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