SARE Business Manager

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

5d•$74,611 - $89,533•Onsite

About The Position

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) invites applications for a 12-month, renewable, full-time Business Manager, to work with its National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) located in College Park, Md. SARE is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. SARE’s NRCCO operates under cooperative agreements from the USDA through the University of Maryland (UMD) in its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. The NRCCO is primarily responsible for creating nationally focused print and digital technical guides and educational resources for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural service providers, and managing the distribution and sale of these materials. Additionally, the NRCCO supports SARE's regional grant and outreach programs by directing national program efforts and providing opportunities for cross-regional information sharing. This support includes maintaining a digital grant management system, developing the SARE websites, providing communication resources, and coordinating national SARE workshops and outreach initiatives. The Business Manager will directly support the SARE Associate Director in overseeing the administrative responsibilities associated with the functions of the NRCCO. Typically, this includes managing five 5-year cooperative agreements (approx. $1.5M to $2.0M each), about 50 supplier/subaward/employee/service contracts, material distribution, 2 to 3 national in-person workshops, and assisting with 2 to 3 virtual meetings, annually. Occasionally, the NRCCO also manages special projects and national SARE initiatives. The Business Manager will also ensure that NRCCO activities and resources comply with USDA NIFA and university procedures through engagement with the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This position provides ample opportunities to engage with UMD and NRCCO colleagues and other national partners, who enthusiastically support sustainable agriculture, farms, and ranches. This role requires annual out-of-state travel. Overall, the Business Manager will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness for which the NRCCO manages its administrative activities in support of its program efforts. This position reports to the SARE Associate Director at UMD and requires collaboration and frequent communication with NRCCO and UMD colleagues and SARE national partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) years of professional human resources, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.
Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Nice To Haves

Experience with university education and outreach programs.
Familiarity with UMD administrative offices, procedures and data systems.
Familiarity or experience working with USDA grants and contracts.
Experience making travel plans within the U.S.

Responsibilities

Serves as the main point of support for SARE business operations at UMD to the NRCCO’s Associate Director by managing multiple program budgets (annual, 5-year USDA NIFA cooperative agreements), accounts, contracts, expenditures, and reconciliations.
Administers purchase orders, subawards, and contracts in accordance with UMD policies and USDA requirements for records, reports, and conditions for expenditure of funds - including communicating with contracted suppliers as needed.
Assists with the print production process and managing SARE publication fulfillment services including communicating with vendors of print projects, monitoring inventory, coordinating book orders, processing checks, and distributing free materials.
Organizes and leads regular NRCCO budget meetings to discuss program activities and analyze project spending reports.
Supports the NRCCO Associate Director by arranging travel and assisting with coordinating logistics for national in-person SARE meetings or workshops.
Processes travel requests and manages associated meeting or workshop expenses, in accordance with USDA and UMD policies and requirements.
Travels to approximately two out of state, multi-day meetings or workshops per year.
Contributes to managing and developing SARE NRCCO’s shared information and reference resources.
Engage with NRCCO, UMD and national SARE groups and individuals with timely responses via email, instant message, and phone correspondence.
Provides occasional administrative assistance with USDA contracts and hiring.