Associate, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (APLU’s) Office of Food, Agriculture and Nature Resources (FANR) and the Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) seek an associate to provide support to the Assistant Vice President, FANR Communications and External Partnerships and the Executive Director, Board on Human Sciences. The incumbent will assist the AVP FANR in communications activities as well as perform a broad array of administrative tasks for the Board on Human Sciences and the FANR Office to ensure effective office operations, including scheduling and planning conferences, webinars, and meetings; record keeping; managing on- and off-site meeting logistics; and processing payment of invoices. The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communications skills, be able to manage time and multiple projects efficiently, and be competent in computer software and communications/social media applications. They will also be skilled in the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships, able to problem-solve, coordinate a wide range of tasks to deliver results, and provide exemplary member service. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. Employees of APLU must reside in DC, MD, or VA and are working remotely from these locations until April 2022 due to COVID-19. For more information on the position or APLU, please consult www.aplu.org.

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 244 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU's agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Annually, member campuses enroll 5.0 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $49.2 billion in university-based research.  For more information, please consult www.aplu.org.

The Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) is a unit of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Commission on Food, Environment, and Renewable Resources (CFERR). The BAA works to promote agriculture in all of its phases (food, environment, agriculture, natural resources, and international) in the state universities and land-grant colleges of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of the Pacific, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) is an association of administrators of higher education units responsible for research/discovery, extension/outreach, and teaching/learning programs in the human sciences at universities across the country. Their members are committed to a national agenda that unifies disciplines within and beyond the human sciences to enrich people’s lives.

·       Draft and carry out day-to-day social media activity, including regular posting of relevant, engaging content; monitoring accounts and strategically engaging others; and coordinating with others to further amplify FANR’s message.

·       Draft, edit, and send announcements and communications through an email marketing software (Marketo).

·       Assist in the development of content and maintenance of webpages.

·       Coordinate data management, including ensuring data is up to date in APLU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system (Microsoft Dynamics).  

·       Assist with drafting and editing documents and other communications. Take and distribute meeting notes.

·       A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional communications and administrative support experience. Work experience at a college/university, a higher education organization, a non-profit organization is a plus.

·       Experience in the field of Communications, Public Relations, or related field, particularly in social media.

·       Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

·       Experience with graphic design (e.g. Adobe, Canva)

·       Demonstrated organizational and planning skills with a keen attention to detail. Ability to balance multiple, complex tasks and priorities, to resolve problems, to meet deadlines, and to recognize potential issues and bring them to the attention of the appropriate team members.

·       Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to navigate relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

·       Experience planning and coordinating events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences.

·       Ability to think critically, solve problems, make sound decisions, and exercise good judgement, while maintaining professionalism under pressure.

·       Experienced and skilled in the use of Microsoft office products, social media, and web-based research and information tools. Experience using a customer relations management (CRM) system and databases. Comfort using and learning new technologies.

·       Demonstrated ability to work both as part of a team and independently, taking direction from and communicating with multiple team members to keep track of activities and priorities on multiple projects. 

·       Commitment to the work of the FANR Office.

·       Ability to travel domestically as needed.

Please send a letter of interest and resume to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with the subject line: Associate, FANR. Applications will be reviewed as received with preference given to those received by October 27, 2021.  APLU is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, and supports staff with a generous benefits package.

 

APLU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating and promoting staff regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.