Job Description

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA WEBLINK:

The University of Maine seeks a forward-looking Director of the Darling Marine Center, a shore-front campus in Walpole, Maine, with teaching, research, and outreach facilities. This full-time administrator will report to the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. The successful candidate, with appropriate qualifications, may be eligible for tenure in an academic unit.

The Director will be the overall facility leader, responsible for all administrative and management aspects of the Center’s programs and operations. The Director will have support from the Dean’s office and from on-site financial, facility management, programming and communication, maintenance, custodial, kitchen, and housing support staff. The Director will:

* Work with University of Maine academic and research units in supporting a robust schedule of courses and other academic programming (e.g. internships)

* In conjunction with the Dean, work with the Vice President of Research and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation and Engagement to strengthen, foster, and grow on-site research, industrial cooperation, and business incubation partnerships

* Ensure sound fiscal management of the Darling Marine Center, through close collaboration with the College financial office

* Develop new and enhance existing revenue streams including through academic programming, corporate partnerships, or research opportunities both within and outside UMaine Lead and supervise the Darling Marine Center’s operations, including overseeing human resources, facility management, and safety

* Work with the College, local support groups, and the University of Maine Foundation to develop a fundraising program to enhance private funding and endowments to ensure the sustainability of the Darling Marine Center

* Engage with mid-coast Maine communities, agencies and other groups to develop programming activities that fit within the Center’s mission

* Promote collaboration among faculty and staff, delegate responsibility when appropriate, and make timely decisions

* Develop and maintain goodwill for the Center among various support and clientele groups, local agencies, and consumers, and

* Develop stakeholder advisory committees to guide programming, planning, and strategic visioning for the center

* Develop and maintain professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect

* Build productive relationships with internal and external constituencies

* Utilize coaching and mentoring methods which provide an environment that is anticipatory, supportive, and encourages constructive feedback on performance

* Commit to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve, and recommending possible alternatives for a situation

* Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned

The Darling Marine Center ( was established in 1965 as part of a gift from Ira C. Darling. It is the University of Maine’s marine laboratory, and its mission is to connect people to the ocean by generating and sharing knowledge of coastal and marine ecosystems and the human communities that are part of them. Operating year-round to facilitate research, education, community and industry engagement, the Darling Marine Center serves the marine interests of UMaine, the State of Maine, and visiting students and researchers from around the world. Located on the scenic Damariscotta River estuary in midcoast Maine (~ 1 hour from Portland), the Darling Marine Center provides easy access to diverse estuarine and intertidal habitats and the open waters of the Gulf of Maine. 

The Darling Marine Center currently has a year-round population of ~ 40 faculty, staff and graduate students, and 25 permanent buildings totaling more than 100,000 ft2 of space. With housing for over 40 students and visitors, academic programs range from weekend- to semester-long experiences. The campus encompasses 182 acres including more than a mile of shoreline. The property’s expansive fields, forest, and waterfront showcase the best of rural Maine while offering state-of-the-art research facilities in an ideal location with easy access to the Damariscotta River and Gulf of Maine.

The Darling Marine Center owns and operates a commercial grade pier. In addition to a 42’ oceanographic research vessel, the DMC owns and operates several small vessels suitable for sea sampling, SCUBA-based underwater research, and estuarine oceanography.

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.

Employees in the University of Maine System are required to comply with UMS COVID protocols which currently include, but are not limited to, being vaccinated, obtaining a qualified vaccination exemption, and/or participating in regular COVID testing. Further information can be found on our Together for Maine website.

Qualifications:

Required:

* Appropriate professional degree in an area broadly related to the marine sciences (Ph.D. required for those who wish to be considered for tenure)

* At least five years of professional experience in an academic setting

* Budget, facility, and personnel management experience

* Ability and desire to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team

* Ability to engage with industry partners and business incubation

* Commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the institution

* Excellent written and verbal communications skills

* Demonstrated experience of grant writing and fundraising

* Evidence of successful community engagement 

Preferred:

* A strong record of scholarly achievements

* Experience facilitating post-secondary academic programming

* Familiarity with both field and laboratory settings

Other Information:

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) Statement of administrative experience and philosophy that integrates principles and plans for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion

3.) a resume/curriculum vitae

4.) contact information for three professional references

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Search Timeline is as follows:

Review of applications to begin: March 20, 2023

Screening interviews to begin no earlier than: March 30, 2023

On-site interviews to begin no earlier than: April 15, 2023

Tentative start date: July 1, 2023

For questions about the search, please contact Christopher Gerbi (christopher.gerbi@maine.edu or 207.581.2153).

Appropriate background checks are required.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5748 Boudreau Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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