Metropolitan Agricultural Research Center (MARC) Manager (RAIV or RSI)

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Denver, COLORADO
Deadline: 21 Aug 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Metropolitan Agricultural Research Center (MARC) Manager (RAIV or RSI)
Position Location Fort Collins, CO or Denver, CO with on-site expectations in Denver
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201110AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week
Proposed Annual Salary Range $85,000 to $95,000 plus comprehensive benefit package.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/21/2022
Description of Work Unit
Denver is the capital of Colorado and the twenty-first largest city in the United States, sprawling over six counties and 3,497 square miles of the High Plains and the Rocky Mountain foothills. Centered at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, the city and county of Denver together have a population of about 716,500. At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver has been nicknamed “The Mile High City.” More a conglomeration of suburbs than a single city, the Denver metropolitan area consists of Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Boulder and Adams Counties and has a population of about 3.4 million. This area forms the cultural, economic, political, and social center of Colorado. The CSU Spur campus is located at the new National Western Center and affords CSU the chance to establish a community-engaged research presence, working with our existing 25+ partner organizations to advance urban ecological and sociological research, as well as establishing citizen science programs. Given its intended use as a living laboratory, CSU’s Spur campus at the National Western Center will established a data storage framework for existing baseline data on the NWC site and surrounding areas.
Research scientists and faculty located at the Metropolitan Agricultural Research Center (MARC) are assigned to CAES or an academic department at Colorado State University, report to the respective unit lead, and conduct research, education, and outreach programs along the Front Range of Colorado and at other locations in Colorado. Programs at the MARC include:
  • Controlled Environment Agricultural Research (CEAR) with focus on Advancing Greenhouse Technology; Plant Disease Research and Green Roof Technology and Science
  • Field Scale Research in Regenerative Agricultural for Urban and Peri-Urban Systems with emphasis on improved access by all community members to an adequate, affordable, nutritious diet; Food and agriculture-related businesses that create jobs and recirculate financial capital within the community and improve living and working conditions for farm and food system labor.
  • Creation of food and agriculture policies that promote local or sustainable food production, processing, and consumption, and adoption of dietary behaviors that reflect concern about individual, environmental and community health.
  • Community Food Systems – A collaborative and engaged research network that integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management, economic and social health.
  • Marketing and processing practices that create more direct links between farmers and consumers and improved access by all community members to an adequate, affordable, nutritious diet.
  • Climate Smart Agriculture, Data Sciences & Sensor/Monitoring Program with focus on Environmental Sensor Development, Data Management (CAESRC), Biological Sensor Development, Energy and Urban Agriculture
  • Read more here:
    • https://agsci.colostate.edu/spur/green-roof-research/
    • https://agsci.colostate.edu/spur/controlled-environment-horticulture/
    • https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/
Position Summary
The manager has authority and responsibility for management and stewardship of the financial resources, staff personnel, and operational and administrative functions of the Metropolitan Agricultural Research Center (MARC) to support faculty research, educational and outreach programs. This stewardship is exercised by planning, executing, and optimizing MARC resources and their deployment. Manager responsibilities are to:
  • Assure that MARC programs are effectively supported and work with the Leadership Team to develop strategic and tactical plans for the MARC.
  • Develop relationships with CSU Extension educators, producers, agricultural or value-added enterprises, and agencies to assess stakeholder concerns, identify programmatic needs, and develop viable programmatic objectives to achieve measurable outcomes and outputs for MARC programs.
  • Collaborate with State and Local Extension staff to facilitate and enhance program planning and delivery.
  • Communicate the MARC/CAES vision, mission and objectives and outcomes by engagement with not only university constituents and the agricultural industries involved with MARC, but also with the Front Range urban community at large to promote and develop interactions that enhance the impact of MARC programs.
  • Develop, schedule, and conduct and/or participate in CSU Extension, outreach, advisory and advocacy activities including meetings, workshops, field days, tours, and other venues. Engage and enhance the MARC external advisory committee.
  • Allocate financial resources with the funding provided by the AES by developing the objectives, budgets, financial and administrative processes, controls, and oversight to meet AES and University requirements.
  • Organize, develop, and deploy the systems, processes, or policies necessary to support MARC activities including the hiring, training and development of staff and their evaluation.
  • Employ technology and maintain websites to advance and promote MARC programs with clientele, the community, decision-makers, and others.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Completed MS degree in agriculture, or in a relevant sub-discipline of Agricultural Sciences (e.g. Horticulture, Soil and Crop Sciences, Agricultural Biology or Water Sciences) prior to start date
  • Experience in personnel management
  • Experience in managing an entity involved in research, agricultural production or in a related commercial enterprise environment
  • Training and experience that demonstrates an understanding of research methodology.
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience in allocating financial resources by developing objectives, budgets, financial and administrative processes, controls, and oversight to meet University requirements
  • Demonstrated ability to understand and appreciate the role and concerns of local producers, land managers, and other stakeholders
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date. Travel will most likely be required between the CSU Main and SPUR campuses.


Finalist to hire will either be at a Research Associate IV level or Research Scientist/Scholar I level commensurate with experience and qualifications.
RAIV - Research Associate III + 10 years experience or B.A. /B.S. degree + 10 years of
related experience or Master’s degree + 5 years experience or Ph.D. + 2 years of experience.
RSI - Ph.D. with limited research experience
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Completed Ph.D. in a relevant sub-discipline of Agricultural Sciences (e.g. Horticulture, Soil and Crop Sciences, Agricultural Biology or Water Sciences) prior to start date
  • Knowledge, understanding and ability to advance new and emerging urban based production systems impacting Colorado agriculture and the environment
  • Demonstrated experience in research and extension that includes the areas of horticultural production, agroecology and/or regenerative agriculture
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and desire to maintain active involvement in strategic planning and allocation of center resources
  • Ability to advance the CAES’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals, and activities
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships within the university, Engagement with outside agencies, and other organizations
  • Experience with Community focused Outreach and education
Diversity Statement
Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Research Center Management
Duty/Responsibility
  • Efficiently and effectively manage the Research Center staff, facilities, and budget.
  • Work closely with CSU AES to identify equipment and facility’s needs.
  • Work with staff to devise a yearly and multi-year management plan.
  • Maintain websites to advance and promote programs.
  • Schedule equipment and facilities maintenance projects and tasks.
  • Select areas for the various research projects, in consultation with the project leaders/collaborators.
  • Manage the Research Center operating budget and allocate financial resources in coordination with AES and designated personnel at CAS Ag Business Center.
  • Assure that all facility infrastructure is operating as designed and coordinate repair activities for equipment or systems that fail.
Percentage Of Time 45
Job Duty Category Extension/Outreach
Duty/Responsibility
  • Assist all faculty, scientists, Extension educators, producers, and stakeholders with the development of programs to provide scientifically sound information (highlighting the measurable outcomes of the MARC research program) to the public through such methods as tours, field days, workshops, meetings, and other outreach events in collaboration with Extension.
  • Develop programs that support traditionally underserved citizens of the metropolitan area. Work with local organizations to align MARCs mission with CSU’s broader mission of community engagement and service.
  • Interact with community and governmental organizations to monitor economic and agriculturally relevant activities in the Front Range urban region.
  • Develop and participate with MARC external advisory committee to enhance the reputation of MARC and identify community and grower needs.
Percentage Of Time 25
Job Duty Category Research/Support/Activities
Duty/Responsibility
  • Support scientifically sound applied research in accordance with the research priorities identified by CSU AES. Work with faculty and scientists to assure that research results are reported appropriately.
  • Collect, record, organize, tabulate, and summarize data as required.
  • Seek collaborations to develop and implement research and outreach/engagement projects with CSU personnel and others (e.g. Extension personnel, personnel at other Research Centers, and CSU campus personnel, and other partners) as appropriate to the priorities of MARC.
  • Coordinate and facilitate research appropriate to the priorities of the MARC led by other CSU personnel and CSU partners.
  • Work with CSU personnel to identify, evaluate, and possibly integrate new and/or alternative crops and cropping methods into the region’s agricultural systems.
Percentage Of Time 15
Job Duty Category Supervision
Duty/Responsibility
  • Work with hiring authorities to fill vacant staff positions.
  • Supervise and evaluate the research associates and other support staff. Conduct performance reviews of staff under direct supervision.
  • Budget for and make recommendations for salary raises.
  • Hire part-time/temporary or seasonal workers as needed.
  • Verify and authorize the hours of all non-exempt employees under direct supervision.
Percentage Of Time 15

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Apply by August 21, 2022 for full consideration. Please provide 1) Cover letter addressing both required and preferred qualifications; 2) Resume or CV; 3) Contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. Optional materials: Unofficial academic transcripts. Transcripts may be requested at a later date for degree(s) verification.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Travel - between main and spur campuses
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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