What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Explore Energy position at Stanford University?
SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:
Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy concentrates the talents of the university on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. We disseminate research results and help the university develop energy-literate leaders as part of its educational mission. We also build collaborations globally with industry, other research institutions, government and civic organizations in pursuit of sustainable, affordable, secure energy for all people.
The Explore Energy program is Precourt’s student-engagement program that serves undergraduate and graduate students across Stanford’s seven schools. Precourt’s Explore Energy serves two main roles:
- We provide a personalized one-stop resource to help Stanford students navigate and connect with diverse energy opportunities all across Stanford, including providing mentoring and advising and energy-related events. We are the “Stanford Students’ Concierges for Everything Energy”. Energy is inherently interdisciplinary and difficult to navigate at Stanford. Explore Energy is the ecosystem that connects the energy related opportunities for students. We provide more than a list of the opportunities - we actively guide students and help them understand pathways and connections through the different opportunities to make it easier for them to navigate. We promote and market the multitude of courses, majors, jobs, internships, and programs that are related to energy.
- We direct and manage the Precourt Institue for Energy’s student experiential learning offerings and energy courses and liaise with other Precourt-supported student opportunities. Precourt Institute for Energy’s current student offerings include:
- Understand Energy courses and web portal
- Energy@Stanford & SLAC
- Energy Seminar
- Shultz Energy Fellows
- SUPER: Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research
- Explore Energy Residential Dorm (new, 2022)
- Stanford Energy Student Lectures
- Stanford Climate Ventures
- Explore Energy community forums
- Alumni speaker series (new, 2022)
- Work closely with and/or provide support to:
- Stanford Energy Club
- ME170
- Schneider Fellows
- Other energy-related student clubs, opportunities, etc.
The main audience for Explore Energy is Stanford students of any background or level. We want to make sure the program is diverse, inclusive, personalized, and welcoming for all. As part of the Precourt Institute for Energy, Explore Energy communicates updates and progress to the Precourt advisory council, Precourt scholars and fellows, to development, and to other programs we interface with. Explore Energy has an existing advisory council of faculty and staff across campus that meets on a quarterly basis to discuss strategy for the program, and a student advisory council group to get student input and perspectives.
Our VPDoR Diversity Journey:
- We create a hub of innovation through the power of diversity of disciplines and people.
- We provide equitable access and opportunity to all members of the community in order to do their best work, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- We listen to and value all colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the advancement and development of a respectful community.
- We promote a culture of belonging, equity, and safety.
- We embed these values in excellence of education, research, and operation.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Stanford Energy’s Precourt Institute for Energy seeks an Explore Energy Assistant Director to develop and lead a comprehensive program for experiential learning and energy literacy in partnership with Dr. Diana Gragg, the Explore Energy Managing Director. The Explore Energy program is Precourt’s student-engagement program that serves undergraduate and graduate students across Stanford’s seven schools. In addition to managing existing programming, this role will support key areas of integration and expansion of the Explore Energy program, for example the transition of the Explore Energy program into the new school on climate and sustainability, the start of an Explore Energy theme dorm in the Fall of 2022, and the building of a robust energy-related mentoring and advising program. The Assistant Director will supervise half of the Explore Energy Program Managers. The candidate should have knowledge of the energy field, an enthusiasm to work with students, be experienced at community building and have excellent communication skills. A large part of this role is building connections across all of Stanford’s schools, departments, and institutes. The Assistant Director for the Explore Energy Program will report to Dr. Gragg, the Explore Energy Managing Director.
To develop and achieve the goals of the Explore Energy Program, the Assistant Director’s responsibilities will include:
- Manage two 100% Explore Energy program managers and one half-time program manager. The Managing Director will manage the two Understand Energy personnel plus the Assistant Director.
- Continue to grow and execute the comprehensive Explore Energy program, aligned with the Long-Range Plan, including successfully integrating the program into the new school for climate and sustainability
- Support the successful offering of a new Explore Energy theme dorm, with its associated programming, starting fall 2022, including marketing efforts to make sure the dorm is fully subscribed and to ensure a robust learning experience for the residents
- Support the Precourt Institute Director(s) development efforts to expand funding for the Explore Energy Program and develop and track the budget for the program
- Develop a Stanford Explore Energy Network
- a working group of university programs and student groups offering opportunities for students to learn and explore various aspects of energy. The program director will design a cohesive, strategic plan to engage Stanford students across the university, in collaboration with faculty leadership and the Stanford Energy Network
- Engage undergraduates and graduates early and connect them with departments, energy programs and opportunities across the university
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and connect them to advising resources on and off campus, including connecting them with the extensive energy alumni network (from Precourt and from Understand Energy and from Stanford Professionals in Energy (SPIE))
- Serve as the institute’s principal student program liaison
- Be a key participant in strategic planning and program development
- Represent student interests collaboratively with Vice Provost Office for Graduate Education (VPGE), VPUE, schools, institutes, centers and programs
- Manage the student programs at the Precourt Institute, and develop new programs as needed
- Build out tools to personalize the interface for students to navigate energy opportunities
- Continue to grow the content of the Explore Energy website about all of the energy-related programming, events, majors, courses, and jobs across campus
- Work with the program managers and the advisory group for Explore Energy to review program goals, measure progress towards the goals, and modify/improve the program
Steward existing Stanford Energy Summer Programs and Student Engagement efforts:
- Serve as the “ecosystem” connection for energy-related programs (by Precourt, TomKat, Haas, etc.)
- Manage fully integrating the MEAL plan for continuous improvement
CORE DUTIES:
- Develop and manage student programs by conducting activities, including outreach to varied stakeholders within the program, assigning resources and making program improvement recommendations that impact policies and programs.
- Identify, recommend and implement opportunities for new programs.
- Source, collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
- Contribute to and inform on strategic program/entity planning and related funding and financial sustainability.
- Advise students and/or coach/mentor clients.
- Develop or contribute to outreach strategy related to program communications, development, partnerships, and fundraising/funding.
- Coach and mentor program staff.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Master’s degree is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Broad energy content knowledge.
- An enthusiasm to work with students.
- Experienced at community building.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Work well in a team environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks.
- Occasionally use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
- Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
- Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others.
- On-campus mobility.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Precourt Institute for Energy (PIE) is a teamwork-focused and collaborative work environment. The Explore Energy Assistant Director will work closely with the Managing Director and all of the Explore Energy team members. The Assistant Director will also connect with other program managers, staff, and directors at various Precourt meetings, check-ins, and social events.
At Stanford and at Precourt, we encourage and support skill and knowledge training courses, work-life balance including the BeWell program, and personalized career development. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Managing Director to personalize their goals and career path. We also emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage open conversations with colleagues and supervisors.
Precourt is a hybrid work environment. The Assistant Director will be expected to be on campus at least 2 days per week and as the job requires for in-person meetings and events. Some in-person events will take place in the evenings.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
Why Stanford is for You
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- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
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The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.