Director of Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey/Wisconsin State Geologist

The WGNHS Director also serves as the Wisconsin State Geologist and provides overall leadership, administrative direction, vision, and oversight for the scholarship and outreach activities carried out by WGNHS staff. This is a 12-month academic staff appointment that reports to the Director of the Natural Resources Institute of Extension. This position offers direct service, outreach, and education to constituents and partners, bringing the resources of the University to all regions and people of the state – i.e., the Wisconsin Idea. The WGNHS Director also provides leadership, planning, and oversight of finances and funding for WGNHS, ensuring resources including facilities are aligned with organizational needs. This role directly supervises leadership and research positions within the Survey and also oversees hiring, managing performance, and ensures reporting expectations are met across the unit. The Director is expected to foster culture changes to address organizational diversity, equity, and inclusivity goals. The Director is expected to have a strong ability to communicate the need for and impact of the applied research carried out by WGNHS with diverse audiences and organizations, including those in academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations, legislative representatives, county officials, tribal communities, and the public. The Director represents WGNHS, Extension, and the University on various state and national committees, boards, and councils, and serves as Wisconsin’s delegate to the Association of American State Geologists (AASG). The Director works actively to maintain and enhance the Survey’s reputation for objective unbiased, high-quality science, and related public service. The State Geologist also works with the Chair of the UW-Madison Department of Geoscience to identify mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities between Survey and Departmental students, faculty, and staff.