UC NRS Executive Director |
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https://ucnrs.org/search-for-the-executive-director-uc-natural-reserve-system/ Opportunity and Challenge ProfileIn the late 1950s, a forward-thinking group of University of California (UC) scientists conceived of a network of natural California areas managed specifically for academic use. They were weary of seeing wildlands that had once served as outdoor laboratories be supplanted by urban development. They needed access to natural ecosystems, where their equipment would remain undisturbed and where they and their students could study plants, observe animals, and measure ecosystems over the long term. In January 1965, seven University-owned sites became the system’s first Reserves. Today the UC Natural Reserve System (UC NRS) consists of 41 Reserves across the State, each anchored to one of the nine UC campuses that are not exclusively dedicated to health sciences. These Reserves encompass 47,000 acres owned by UC and provide access to millions of acres of biodiverse public lands. The Reserves are staffed by expert land managers, and they are available to students, teachers, and researchers from the UC and other research institutions. In addition, the Reserves serve as outreach destinations for K-12 classes and members of the public volunteering and attending courses, workshops, and UC NRS events. No other university-operated network of field sites in the world can match the size, scope, and ecological diversity of the UC NRS. The UC Natural Reserve System is led by the Executive Director, who reports to the systemwide Vice President for Research & Innovation at the University of California Office of the President. The work of the UC NRS Reserves, individually and collectively, is significant. Yet the UC NRS has the potential for more important positive impact at the local, state, national, and global levels, truly fulfilling the public mission of the UC System. At a time of unprecedented humanmade ecological destruction and climate change, global pandemics, and social and political unrest throughout the world, the Executive Director must fully recognize the potential of the UC NRS and drive the organization to address these current challenges and those to come. To that end, the University of California seeks an Executive Director to lead the UC NRS in its effort to drive existing excellent programs and to further define and develop new initiatives. To achieve these important goals, the next UC NRS Executive Director will address the following key opportunities and challenges:
This profile, which was prepared by the Search Advisory Committee with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, provides context and background information as well as key opportunities and challenges related to the position. Additional information and desired qualifications and characteristics are listed in the official position description, which is provided in the appendix. All confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the parties listed on page 5 of this document. About The University of CaliforniaThe University of California opened its doors in 1869 with 10 faculty members and 38 students. Today, the UC system includes more than 280,000 students and more than 227,000 faculty and staff, with 2.0 million alumni living and working around the world. The UC system comprises 10 university campuses, 5 medical centers, 3 national laboratories, 160 academic disciplines, 800 degree programs, and $46.3 billion contributed to the California economy. The University is governed by the 26-member Board of Regents, which exercises approval over university policies, financial affairs, tuition and fees. The Regents appoint the university president and its principal officers. The UC Academic Senate, representing UC faculty, is empowered by the Regents to decide academic policies, including approving courses and setting requirements for admission, certificates and degrees. The Academic Senate also advises the administration on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets. The UC Office of the President is the systemwide headquarters of the University of California, managing its fiscal and business operations and supporting the academic and research missions across its campuses, national labs, and medical centers. The UC Office of the President coordinates activities that allow a complex and unique system to operate efficiently as one university, furthering its public interest, academic and research missions. It oversees and manages programs that serve the entire university system, allowing campuses to capture the savings and efficiencies that come from centralized operations. President Michael V. Drake assumed responsibilities in August 2020 as the 21st president of the University of California. For more information, please see: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/ About The University of California Natural Reserve SystemThe UC Natural Reserves System (UC NRS) manages 41 staffed and supported sites throughout California that are administered by the UC System to operate as a network dedicated to university level research and teaching, and public service. Most of the state’s major habitat types are represented within the UC NRS, from coastal tidepools to inland deserts, and lush wetlands to redwood forests. No other network of field stations matches the size, scope, and ecological diversity of the UC NRS Reserves. The UC NRS Reserves serve as outdoor laboratories to field scientists: the Reserves are classrooms without walls for learning, and nature’s inspiration to all. The mission of the UC Natural Reserve System is: to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. A group of UC scientists banded together to start a network of natural areas supported specifically for academic use in the 1950s, recognizing the need to preserve and protect natural sites and wildlands in California for serving as outdoor laboratories at a time when the State was rapidly urbanizing. In January 1965, the Regents of the University of California established the Natural Land and Water Reserves System, as the UC Natural Reserve System was first known. Seven University-owned sites became the system’s first Reserves. Today the UC NRS is the world’s largest university system of field stations, consisting of 41 Reserves across the State, encompassing 47,000 acres owned by the UC, providing access to millions of acres of public lands, and hosting more than 100,000 student and researcher visits each year. The UC NRS promotes and allows opportunities for research, teaching, and public service. Each Reserve is managed by a UC campus, with the Systemwide Office of the NRS at the UC Office of the President, part of the Research & Innovation unit of the division of Academic Affairs. For more information, please see: https://ucnrs.org/ Role of the Executive DirectorReporting to the Vice President, Research & Innovation (R&I), the Executive Director of the UC NRS has overall responsibility for strategic leadership, oversight, administration, systemwide programming, and development of the UC Natural Reserve System. The Executive Director provides this leadership in consultation with and as an ex-officio member of the President’s Universitywide NRS Advisory Committee. The Executive Director supervises the systemwide NRS staff and supports the efforts of numerous faculty and staff through the multi-campus, 41-Reserve system. The Executive Director provides representation, oversight, and accountability for the system to UC NRS stakeholders, both internal and external to the University, and to the public. This position is part of the Vice President’s cabinet. Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Executive DirectorLead the UC NRS community
Develop and execute an actionable vision for the UC Natural Reserve System
Serve as an effective leader for faculty, staff, and external constituents throughout the UC NRS and campus partners
Effectively represent the organization as champion and advocate for the UC NRS within the UC Office of the President, federal and California government agencies, and other external partners
Strategically manage the resources required to achieve the many ambitions and aspirations of the UC NRS
Qualifications, Education, and Special ConditionsPlease see appendix for official job description details. Compensation and LocationSalary will be competitive and commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications. This position is primarily located in Oakland, California. Extensive travel is required, as budget allows. Inquiries, Nominations, and Application InformationInquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: www.imsearch.com/7903. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, including describing your experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. AppendixOfficial UCOP Job Description:DEPARTMENT OVERVIEWThe University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) seeks a strong and innovative leader for the systemwide office of the Natural Reserve System of the University of California. The mission of the UC Natural Reserve System (UC NRS) is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. Established by the Regents in 1965, the UC NRS is a unique assemblage of protected wildland sites throughout California. Its Reserves encompass nearly all of the state’s major ecosystems, preserved in as undisturbed a condition as possible to support University-level research and teaching programs. With 41 Reserves, field stations, and research centers and responsibility for more than 750,000 acres, as well as providing research access to several million acres of protected public lands, the UC NRS is the largest university-operated system of natural reserves in the world. POSITION SUMMARYReporting to the Vice President, Research & Innovation (R&I), the Executive Director, UC NRS has overall responsibility for strategic leadership, oversight, administration, systemwide programming, and development of the Natural Reserve System. S/he provides this leadership in consultation with and as an ex-officio member of the President’s Universitywide NRS Advisory Committee. The Executive Director supervises the systemwide UC NRS staff and supports the efforts of numerous faculty and staff through the multi-campus, 41-reserve system. S/he provides representation, oversight, and accountability for the system to UC NRS stakeholders, both internal and external to the University, and to the public. The Executive Director interacts with and forms cooperative agreements and partnerships with state and federal agencies (including California State Parks and National Park Service), land trusts, NGOs, and other natural resource-oriented agencies and organizations at state, national, and international levels that manage natural areas or otherwise share UC NRS objectives. This position is part of the Vice President’s cabinet. RESPONSIBILITIES
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Education
Special Conditions
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