Job Listings

West Virginia University Research Corporation's Center for Sustainable Mine Landsis currently accepting applications for a Director.

About the Opportunity

As a Director of thenewly formed Center for Sustainable Mine Lands, you will helpboost the pace and improve the outcomes in the reclamation and reuse of former mine lands in West Virginia and other Mine Land impacted states.

The mission of the Center for Sustainable Mine Lands is to advance this work by engaging and coordinating teams of scientists, governmental representatives, non-profits, land owners and agencies, technology experts, private industry, economists, conservation groups, and communities to address the complex structures associated with former mine lands, and providing leadership and guidance on how to potentially deploy significant federal, non-profit, philanthropic, and private sector investments. This center will lead an interdisciplinary effort, seeking support and technical assistance through cross-cutting engagement with multiple arms of the University, including the WVU Energy Institute, Natural Resource Analysis Center, Office of Student and Faculty Innovation, Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, Mountain Hydrology Lab, Start-Up WV, BRIDGE Initiative, The Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, and a number of academic colleges.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs.:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• PTO
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks
• And More!!

What you'll do:

Day-to-Day leadership of the Center, including effective stakeholder engagement and coordination to advance the mission of the Center. The Director will also be responsible for leading, organizing, or guiding efforts for the continued success of the Center. These efforts include:

• Continued identification and prioritization of potential sites and potential redevelopment technologies and approaches.
• Engagement with landowners/managers, local communities and leaders, potential investors, and other key stakeholders to advance the work of the Center.
• Lead the creation of redevelopment master plans, including evaluations for deployment of specific technologies to advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience including solar with energy storage, microgrids, geothermal, agribusiness, reforestation and carbon capture, biomass, outdoor recreation, and more.
• Analyze legal ownership and potential adverse interests, evaluate needed infrastructure improvements, and establish potential intervention schedules and plans.
• Identify high-potential emerging technologies to further transform former mine sites.
• Identify opportunities for funding, strategic partnerships, applied and empirical research.
• Lead the efforts to create a playbook and blueprint for former mine lands.
• Work to identify the various capital stacking and funding structures needed for site reuse implementation.
• Identify and lead efforts for additional funding to advance the Center's work.

• Advanced degree in a demonstrably aligned field, such as public administration, economics, finance, engineering, or resource management.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of directly-related post-graduate experience.
• Experience managing multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary projects.
• Familiarity with federal funding opportunities and grant compliance rules and requirements.
• Strong familiarity with the central Appalachian region, and West Virginia in particular, and demonstrated connections and success in engaging with regional business and community leaders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience building and managing large, interdisciplinary efforts.
• Experience in building partnerships between diverse organizations and stakeholders.
• Evidence of teamwork in dynamic, multicultural settings.

Requirements

• Valid US driver's license

Why WVU Research Corporation?

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic environment is core to WVURC's mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.