Associate Director
Posting Number: SP005056P
Division/College: College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department: WRDC (Western Rural Development Center)
Location: Boise
Posting Context Statement:
The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) is one of four rural development centers established by Congress’s Rural Development Act of 1972. It is a collaborative effort between the USDA and the University of Idaho. The core of its funding comes from NIFA. The WRDC works with public universities in the Western region to conduct research-based studies and educational outreach programs. It partners with local communities, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers, and ranchers to address various rural development issues. The WRDC’s objective is to enhance the capacity of the region’s land-grant universities and cooperative extension services to help rural communities thrive and become self-sustaining.
Position Overview:
The Associate Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the mission of the WRDC by supporting day-to-day operations, promoting collaborative multistate projects and driving research and outreach efforts that strengthen rural development across the Western United States.
The Associate Director will work closely with the WRDC Director to guide programmatic initiatives, identify research theme leaders, support grant projects, and facilitate integrated teams across research, education and extension functions. A central responsibility of this position is to lead a regionally relevant extension program and establish a complementary research agenda that addresses pressing rural development challenges. The successful candidate will also engage with stakeholders, publish scholarly and extension materials, lead integrated research and Extension projects, and ensure that WRDC -supported projects align with institutional and regional priorities.
Duties may include:
- Support the WRDC Director with daily operations, oversee funded projects, manage budgets, track deliverables and prepare reports
- Lead integrated research and Extension initiatives focused on rural development in the Western U.S., ensuring quality, ethical standards and scholarly contributions
- Write and disseminate peer-reviewed journal articles, curricula, Extension bulletins and educational resources; deliver workshops, webinars and community outreach activities
- Work with multidisciplinary and multistate teams, faculty and stakeholders to set priorities, develop coordinated initiatives and provide technical leadership
- Develop methods and guidelines for Extension programs, conduct and publish research, and support projects
- Represent WRDC on review panels and committees, peer-review scholarly work, and supervise students or project staff as needed
Required Experience:
- Two (2) years of research and/or Extension experience in rural development
- Experience with U.S. rural community development issues; demonstrated knowledge of issues facing U.S. rural community development issues may substitute for this experience
Required Education:
- Ph.D. in applied economics, rural sociology, political science or closely related field
Required Other:
- Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including weekends and holidays
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet policy requirements for driving university-owned vehicles
Additional Preferred:
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team
- Demonstrated record of research and Extension achievement
- Experience serving as PI or Co-PI on extramurally funded projects
- Knowledge of the U.S. land grant university system
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with constituents, clients and the general public
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:
Degree Requirement:
Listed degree qualification is required at time of application
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employee Category: Exempt
Pay Range: $86,153.60 or higher depending on experience
Type of Appointment: _of_Appointment
FTE: 1.0
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Funding: This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.
A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy: Uncertain
Posting Date: 10/15/2025
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by December 14, 2025, will receive first consideration.
If you would like to receive a full position description that includes the position responsibilities, please email Angelica Reyes Perez at [email protected] and request that one be sent to you.
Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the posting documents section. In addition, please note the following documents are required and can be submitted under the appropriate document number:
Other Document 1 – Research Statement
Other Document 2 – Extension Statement
Other Document 3 – Management Approach Statement
Other Document 4 – 1 research paper
Applicant Resources: https://www.uidaho.edu/human-resources/careers/applicant-resources
Background Check Statement: Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6651200
The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
