Manager, Student and Early Career Programs

Key Activities:

• Advises and works with the national advisors and student officers with planning the Annual Meeting program for the undergraduate Students of Agronomy Soils and Environmental Sciences (SASES). Manages and implements the students’ contests, committees and awards, and professional development programs.  Attends student regional meetings.  Works with the National Student Advisory Committee.  Works to develop student activities/benefits/communications outside of the Annual Meetings. Coordinates all student social media efforts. Works to increase membership and awareness of the Societies among students.
• Advises and works with the graduate student committees to develop exciting and valuable programs for the Annual Meetings and activities/benefits that fall outside of the Annual Meeting activities, including the graduate student leadership conference, webinars, magazine articles, and additional activities as developed.
• Advises and works with the Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute program committee. Assists with development of the Annual Meeting program, promoting the Institute to prospective participants, advisors, and mentors; develops articles on the program for CSA News, communicates with current and former scholars as needed for an ongoing flow of information, and tracks success metrics.
• Works with and is the liaison to the Early Career Member Committees.
• Assists in the design of a professional development “Leadership Academy” concept for the undergraduate, graduate, and early career member groups – to be launched in 2021-2022.
• Works with the Diversity in Agronomy, Crops, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Committee with their activities – both for the Annual Meeting and external to the Annual Meeting.
• Manages the awards process for all scholarships.
• Works with the Certification department to promote certification offerings to students, in coordination with certification marketing activities.
• Contributes to all membership-related social media efforts as needed.
• Assists with K-12 projects and activities for all three Societies– to develop teacher/student resources (with the assistance of member committees) and ensure effective outreach to these groups.
• Assists with budgeting process and analyzes program related expenses to develop recommendations on financial expenditures and cost effectiveness.
• Perform project management related activities as assigned and needed to coordinate development and implementation efforts.
• Utilize the appropriate technologies in the performance of the above duties.
• Assist with special projects as required.

Qualifications

Education:  College degree in management or the agronomic/crop science/soil science/environmental sciences fields.

Experience:  Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in management or association/non-profit experience preferred. 

Special Skills/Knowledge:  Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required along with creativity for continuing development and of new programs and services.  Keen organization and project management skills are needed to manage simultaneous, diverse assignments.   Understanding of learning design/professional development is helpful. Understanding of membership needs and web/electronic technologies for communications are a must.  A strong work ethic, willingness to see projects through to completion, team-oriented attitude and flexible aptitude are valued in our fast-paced, continually changing environment.  Demonstrated professional image.

Abilities:  Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, as well as members, other Societies and vendors.  The ideal candidate will be able to handle multiple project responsibilities and effectively plan short and long-term project implementation.  In addition, they are able to work both independently and collaboratively with many different groups.  Finally, this position requires a strong customer-service orientation.