NE Region SARE Position

Frederick R. Magdoff (fmagdoff@moose.uvm.edu)
Thu, 8 Aug 1996 08:27:46 -0400 (EDT)

Northeast Region SARE Program Manager
(Post-Doctoral Assistant)

To be filled as soon as possible, but no later than January 1997.

This full-time temporary POST-DOCTORAL position is 75% time in
support of the Northeast Region "USDA-SARE" Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education Program and a 25% research appointment in the area
of soil fertility and chemistry. The support portion involves management,
oversight for SARE, the EPA-USDA "ACE" agricultural in concert with the
environment program, and, a USDA-Extension Service "Subtitle B--Section
1629" sustainable agriculture training program. These grants programs are
awarded annually, but are anticipated to continue for 5 years. The
Regional Coordinator (Administrator), Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff, reports
directly to the USDA-CSREES in Washington, DC and to the NE Regional
USDA-SARE Administrative Council.

The support portion of the position has been defined as a
temporary (professional-level) Post-Doctoral Assistant due to the
significant scientific expertise that is required for project contract
establishment, project monitoring/oversight, project report analysis,
project profile analysis, and project invoice analysis. The position has
clerical demands but requires additional scientific expertise, not
required of classified Program Manager positions. In addition, it
requires significant amounts of travel to adequately monitor the
Northeast Regional SARE program grants and the abilities to make
scientific observations and analyses while at remote locations.

Main Responsibilities:

SARE Portion
Oversee and manage the contracts and grants awarded by the Northeast
Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SARE)
program; and, supports Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff, Regional Coordinator
(Administrator) of the program in his efforts. Assist, wherever possible,
Dr. Magdoff, who serves as the principal Sustainable Agriculture liaison
with Federal USDA agencies and the Directors of the Experiment Stations
and Cooperative Extension Services in the 12 Northeast States and
Washington D.C. Reports directly to the Regional Coordinator
(Administrator) for all job functions and assignments.
40% - Oversight of contracting, invoice processing, and general
fiscal matters of the contracts and grants awarded by the Northeast
Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SARE)
program. The successful applicant must integrate sustainable agriculture
experience, scientific expertise, and statistical rigor when supervising
contracting-with or payments-to awardees.
Coordinate, under the direction and approval of the Regional
Coordinator, the preparation/administration of calls for proposals,
proposal reviews, and initial contracts for USDA-SARE/ACE projects.
Serve as liaison to the UVM Contracts and Grants offices for the final
preparations of contracts and subcontracts for the USDA-SARE/ACE program.
Provide a secondary response, as needed, to questions about the
USDA-SARE and ACE programs. Interact with state and federal
representatives and staffs throughout the Northeast Region, referring
appropriate policy questions and problems to the Regional Coordinator.
Monitor program compliance with National and Regional guidelines,
referring questions to the Coordinator (Administrator), as appropriate.
Endeavors to anticipate problems and changes in order to provide timely
and appropriate responses.
Assure timely reporting by principal investigators on contract
projects. Monitor all projects to ensure that reporting has been done,
prior to final payments.
Must work cooperatively with the Regional Coordinator
(Administrator), the Administrator's Assistant, and the NE Region
Communications Specialist at this site.
Visit selected project sites, provide assistance with problems if
needed, provide feedback regarding direction and progress of projects.

20% - Review USDA-SARE/ACE proposals for content, identifies
disciplinary emphases, and assigns appropriate reviewers -- taking care
to avoid conflicts of interest. Also assure that proposals conform to
general guidelines for the USDA-SARE/ACE USDA National Program, Regional
Administrative Council Criteria for evaluations, deadlines, format, etc.
Develop administrative, management, and organizational plans for
granting awards and project agreements for consideration by the Regional
Coordinator (Administrator); and, when established, be responsible for
implementation. Along with the Regional Coordinator (Administrator),
implement the recommendations of the Administrative Council and Technical
Review Panel. Aid in the development of operating guidelines.

10% - Assist the Coordinator (Administrator) and Administrator's
Assistant in the preparation of Plans of Work and amendments for
submission to USDA-CSREES based on recommendations of the Administrative
Council.
Responsibilities also include assisting the Regional Coordinator
(Administrator) in assuring that all invoices, purchases, travel and
general expenditures are controlled within Federal guidelines.
Work closely with the UVM Office of Sponsored Program and the
Office of Grants and Contracts in developing language for USDA-SARE/ACE
contracts and subcontracts, amendments that affect contracts (such as
requests for extensions and budget revisions), and other related issues.

5% - Conduct analytical research and needs assessments to provide
general and technical information needed by the administrative council
for decision-making and planning purposes. Analyzes regional and project
objectives, goals and expenditures. In cooperation with the Regional
Coordinator (Administrator) and the Administrative Council, recommends
ways to improve the program and its associated record-keeping.
Serve as an ex-officio member of the Northeast Regional USDA-SARE
Administrative Council.

5% - Assist with functions of the Northeast SARE office
operations. Must not feel that repetitive or menial tasks cannot be
performed, when they are urgent.

Research Portion
25% - Carry out field and/or laboratory research in coordination
with research interests and projects of Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff. These
include, general soil fertility (N and P availability and dynamics), use
of biologically-based fertility sources, and soil organic matter
dynamics. Other areas of research are possible.

Qualifications Needed:
THIS IS A POST-DOCTORAL POSITION. A demonstrated ability in the
development of and oversight of statistically-correct scientific
experiments is required. An earned doctorate or equivalent experience in
the area of soil fertility or integrated farming systems research with
interest in soil fertility and knowledge of field plot research is
required. A production agriculture background is highly desirable but not
required. Knowledge of the current USDA-SARE/ACE programs and policies is
preferred. Applicants with more experience in sustainable agriculture
systems will be given preference. Applicants with exceptional experience
or graduate degrees in sustainable agriculture will be given preference
to those possessing lesser experience.
Working knowledge of IBM-based microcomputer systems and software
is required. Knowledge of common spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel, Quattro,
Lotus-1-2-3, etc.) and database systems (Microsoft Access, dBASE-II,
FoxPro, etc.) is required. Some knowledge of Mac-systems is desirable.
Successful applicants must exhibit a high-degree of
professionalism, professional decorum, and professional appearance,
because interactions at the highest levels of the USDA, EPA, and
associated agencies and clientele will occur in Washington, DC, and
elsewhere. In addition, professional competent phone and e-mail skills
are required. This is a high-visibility and highly public-interactive
position.
This position will include technical writing (Calls for proposals,
suggested revisions to grants, and revisions to contracted plans of
work). Evidence of adequate writing skills and cognitive abilities will
be required.

Compensation:
Approximately $22,000 to $27,000, depending on background and
experience of applicant, along with the excellent, comprehensive UVM
benefits package; and, is also dependent on continuing grant funds.

Please send a letter outlining your interests, a current CV, and
the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to:
Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff
NE Region SARE Program
Hills Building
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont 05405
tel: 802-656-0472
email: fmagdoff@moose.uvm.edu

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Fred Magdoff
Northeast Region SARE Program
Hills Building
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
tel:802-656-0472
fax:802-656-4656
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