Director of Scientific Engagement

Position Description: The University of Virginia seeks a full-time Director of Scientific Engagement. The position is based at Blandy Experimental Farm, one of UVa’s environmental science field stations. The Director of Scientific Engagement is part of a leadership team, including three research faculty and the Director of Education, who work to carry out the facility's mission of increasing understanding of the natural world. The Director of Scientific Engagement is expected to expand the reach of Blandy Experimental Farm to new audiences. These audiences include adults, families, and children who are not traditionally served by either University programs (graduate and undergraduate training) or Blandy’s preK-12 programs. Developing ways to engage underserved audiences is a high priority, as is extending Blandy’s reach deeper into the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Director of Scientific Engagement works to bring scientific discovery to these audiences in imaginative and creative ways through interpretive materials, lectures, workshops, new technologies, and, especially, active engagement with the scientific process (e.g., citizen science).

The Director of Scientific Engagement works independently but is strongly encouraged to collaborate with Blandy research faculty and the Director of Education in the development of program content. Responsibilities include the design, execution, and evaluation of programs. The Director of Scientific Engagement manages a program budget and works to secure extramural funding to expand Blandy’s capacity to serve the public. The Director of Scientific Engagement creates and fosters networks of relationships between Blandy and local, regional, and national organizations. The Director of Scientific Engagement supervises a small team of University Staff employees, including one part-time Environmental Educator. The Director of Scientific Engagement also works to develop a corps of volunteers (e.g., docents, citizen scientists) that can extend programmatic reach and make engagement more effective.

Organizational Background: Blandy Experimental Farm is a 700-acre environmental science field station operated by the University of Virginia with strengths in the environmental sciences, especially plant, insect, and landscape ecology. It is located in the northern Shenandoah Valley in Clarke County, Virginia, about 90 miles from the UVa grounds in Charlottesville and about 60 miles west of Washington, D.C. In addition to serving the University’s mission by training undergraduate and graduate students and supporting research, Blandy is dedicated to a broad mission of public outreach. Blandy is home to the State Arboretum of Virginia, a 170-acre public garden displaying more than 5500 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in a diversity of habitats including woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and open fields. Attracting over 200,000 visitors annually, the State Arboretum presents a great opportunity to connect audiences to the important role plants play in the environment and in the lives of all people.

Professional Requirements: An M.A. or M.S. degree in a field related to Blandy’s emphasis on environmental science is a minimum requirement. A Ph.D. is preferred as is the ability to draw on personal experience about research and the scientific process. A successful candidate will have 5 years of relevant experience, though pedagogical and research experience during the completion of the candidate’s advanced degree(s) can be counted toward this requirement. Excellent communication and writing skills are required.

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2019, but the position will remain open until filled. Candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Questions about the position should be directed to Blandy Director, David Carr at blandy@virginia.edu.For questions about the application process please contact Rich Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.