Colorado Water Center
Director search executive summary
The director of the Colorado Water Center will join a team of passionate, experienced professionals dedicated to water-related engagement, outreach and education. Created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, the Center serves to convene conversations and connect diverse voices, building on the rich water history at Colorado State University.
Position overview
The Colorado Water Center director is appointed by the President of Colorado State University to serve as the chief executive, academic, and policy officer of the Center, reporting directly to the Vice President for Engagement and Extension.
The director provides leadership and oversight of the Center’s portfolio of research, education, engagement, and service activities, which is developed and implemented in collaboration with CSU faculty and staff affiliates, partner higher education institutions across Colorado, and a variety of partner scholars, agencies, and organizations.
The director facilitates planning and continuous improvement of the Center’s activities, supported by a statutory external advisory committee. The director also develops strategic, staffing, and budget plans to implement an innovative and impactful water agenda that addresses state and regional needs and is accountable for raising extramural resources through grants, contracts, gifts, and program fees.
In addition, the director is a critical public voice and recognized national expert on water scholarship and policy issues, representing the Center at various water-related organizations, convenings, and policy conversations. Finally, the director engages in extensive travel to fulfill the expectations of the position.
The director also serves as a key member of the Office of Engagement and Extension’s executive leadership team, promoting impactful engaged scholarship to fulfill CSU’s land-grant mission.
This position may be considered for a concurrent continuing (non-tenured) or tenured faculty appointment if the individual possesses an outstanding record of achievement that merits appointment as such within one of CSU’s academic units.
The position posting may be viewed at https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/153246.
About the Colorado Water Center
The Colorado Water Center serves as a hub for water-related research, engagement, outreach, and education. Established as one of the 54 Water Resources Research Institutes created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, the Colorado Water Center, part of Colorado State University’s Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), serves as a convener of critical conversations addressing the complex water challenges faced in Colorado and beyond.
Who we are
The Colorado Water Center is dedicated to bridging gaps between communities, scientists, policymakers, and educators, aiming to convene diverse voices in water management and elevate sustainable practices, leveraging expertise from across Colorado’s higher education system to address evolving water challenges.
Priorities
- Serve as a trusted resource for Coloradans, providing equitable access to water resources, education, research, and information.
- Support water education programs in K-12 and higher education classrooms, fostering early engagement, and in adult education, expanding understanding of water management and resources in Colorado.
- Convene unbiased, science-based conversations, acting as a neutral facilitator for important water dialogues.
- Provide resources and education to county Extension staff to enhance their role as direct links to communities.
- Convene regular discussions with higher education institutes and community stakeholders to foster collaboration and understanding.
- Increase visibility of Water Center staff in leadership conversations across the state.
- Agriculture: Research and promote agricultural practices that decrease water consumption or increase water efficiency, including adoption of alternative low water-use crops and irrigation management practices.
- Water Equity: Champion inclusivity in water conversations, ensuring diverse voices are included, represented, and valued.
- Water Workforce Development: Facilitate skill development and training initiatives to cultivate the next generation of water leaders. Programs include:
Search committee
Search committee members:
- Jennifer Gimbel, search committee chair, Colorado Water Center, CSU
- Ellen Wohl, Geosciences, CSU
- Jessica Thrasher, Colorado Water Center, CSU
- Chris Kummerow, Atmospheric Science, CSU
- Gene Kelly, Agricultural Experiment Station, CSU
- Perry Cabot, Colorado Water Center, CSU
- Mazdak Arabi, Civil and Environmental Engineering, CSU
- Alexandra Davis, Aurora Water
- Deb Daniel, Republican River Conservation District
- David Robbins, Hill and Robbins, P.C.
- Robert Sakata, Colorado Department of Agriculture