ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / BIOLOGICAL STATION OPERATIONS, S-3601

Central Michigan University
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Job Description

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / BIOLOGICAL STATION OPERATIONS

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering a broadly diverse and inclusive campus that respects all social identities, experiences, and perspectives. In an effort to further this initiative, we are especially interested in candidates who will advance and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for every member of our university community.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

Position Information

Position Information

 

Posting Number S-3601
Position Number 72600
Type of Recruitment External
Position Title ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / BIOLOGICAL STATION OPERATIONS
Position Summary The Associate Director of the Beaver Island Biological Station Operations reports to the CMU Biological Station (CMUBS) director and administers all aspects of marketing, public relations, operations, and budgeting for the CMUBS on Beaver Island. The associate director works closely with the CMUBS director to enable the research and education mission of the station while identifying and engaging external partners. The associate director manages the CMUBS budget in coordination with the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Dean’s office, and works with external vendors, contractors, and internal CMU units as needed to maintain and upgrade the physical plant. The associate director also assists the CSE dean, CMUBS director, and CMU Advancement staff in obtaining financial support for CMUBS from individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position is responsible for daily on-site operations of CMUBS during the summer season (April through September), including providing logistical support for classes, conferences, events, and the residential research experiences for faculty and staff while acting as a liaison between CMUBS and Beaver Island Community. During the off-season (October through March), this position is responsible for planning the next field season, including budgeting, event marketing and planning, scheduling, ordering supplies, hiring, and coordinating staff.
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree related to biology, environmental studies, marketing, public relations, business administration, and/or finance or a combination of education and experience that equates to four years.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability to reside on Beaver Island in the months of April through September (housing provided at CMUBS).
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with donors, students, staff, faculty, and the public including the Beaver Island community.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and initiate and complete tasks independently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and online applications.
Ability to meet travel requirements from CMU to CMUBS, including air, ferry, and vehicle travel.
Must be willing to work evening and/or weekend hours, as necessary.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree, preferably in biology, environmental studies, business administration, or related field.
Experience working at a biological field station or with field research.
Experience working with faculty, staff, and students across multiple disciplines.
Demonstrated experience in an administrative capacity managing a complex operation.
Experience in fundraising, sales, customer service or alumni/donor relations with demonstrated successful outcomes.
Experience in budgeting and finance.
Duties & Responsibilities Oversees CMUBS program resources, budget planning, and in coordination with CSE dean’s office, monitors seasonal expenditures and commitments.
Oversees all daily operations of the CMU Biological Station during the active season of April through September.
Carries out the necessary and appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of CMUBS users, verifies users’ compliance with safety training (including reporting all safety hazards and maintenance concerns), as well as responding to all emergency situations.
Supervises all non-scientific staff working at the station during the season who provide support for food service, housekeeping, and general assistants; provides orientation and training for staff; deals with all on-site disciplinary action including documentation and reporting.
Serves as an on-site contact for conference and visiting group directors, students, faculty, guests, alumni, donors and university administrators.
Manages all public relations and advertising of CMUBS programs and facilities; acts as the primary contact for the Beaver Island community.
Partners with CMU and CSE leadership on fundraising efforts for the CMU Biological Station.
Participates in CMU and CSE recruitment efforts on behalf of the CMU Biological Station; coordinates the recruitment of students to CMUBS summer programs; establishes and maintains contacts with regional high schools.
Coordinates conferences, academic course offerings and researcher check-ins and check-outs, and residential unit preparation and cleaning; coordinates orientation for students and guests of CMUBS.
Coordinates with the CSE Dean’s office and chairs of academic departments to oversees summer academic course scheduling and enrollment and coordinate instructor schedules.
Tracks and prepares all user charges and billings; serves as liaison to the CSE Dean’s office regarding user billing.
Manages the CMUBS store, including oversight of cash management, ordering, and inventory of merchandise.
Coordinates transportation logistics and schedules, and other areas of station operations as assigned.
Manages the CMUBS fleet of vehicles and research vessels.
Acts as the first point of contact and is on call for all logistical operations and emergencies.
Notifies CSE Dean’s office and CMUBS Director immediately of any problems and issues.
Promotes CMUBS programs and prepares for the next active season during the off-season of October through March.
Coordinates CMUBS operations with external vendors, contractors, CMU Facilities Management, other campus units as needed.
Leverages technology including social media platforms and virtual communication tools to support outreach, marketing, and public relations operations.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Exercised None
Message to Applicants Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering a broadly diverse and inclusive campus that respects all social identities, experiences, and perspectives. In an effort to further this initiative, we are especially interested in candidates who will advance and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for every member of our university community.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary
Staff Pay Level  
Pay Range $55,000 - $70,000 per year
Division Academic Affairs
Department Beaver Island
Position Status Regular
Position End Date  
Employment Status Full-Time
FTE 1.0
Position Type 12 month
Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed
Location Mount Pleasant and Beaver Island, MI
About the Department  
About CMU Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.
CMU Leadership Standards Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.
EEO Statement
CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex‐based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/OCRIE).
 
If you wish to see “EEO is the Law” posters, please click here.
 
CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.
 
Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.
 
CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: 989-774-3253
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu
Posting Ends 04/23/2025
Open Until Filled No

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

    (Open Ended Question)

  2. * Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
    • Not Applicable
    • Dispatcher
    • Medical Faculty
    • Office Professional
    • P&A, SO or Faculty
    • Police
    • Public Broadcasting
    • Sergeant
    • Service Maintenance
    • Supervisory/Technical
  4. * Do you have at least a bachelor's degree related to biology, environmental studies, marketing, public relations, business administration, and/or finance, or a combination of education and experience that equates to four years?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * Do you possess a valid driver's license?
    • Yes
    • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents
  1. List of References
Contact Information