Freshwater Science Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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Position Title:
Administrative Manager
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Administrative Manager
Job Duties:
Key Job Responsibilities:

• May assist in the development and monitoring of the unit or program budget and approve unit expenditures

• Plans, implements, executes, and evaluates existing strategies and objectives for a program and makes recommendations to unit leadership for program or function enhancement

• Leads the development and preparation of periodic reports and financial statements, and records progress, status, or other special reports for leadership or external agencies

• Schedules logistics and secures resources for program activities across multiple work units to ensure optimum efficiency and compliance with appropriate policies, procedures, and specifications

• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees

• Contributes to the preparation of proposals for funding and/or funding continuation from outside sponsors

• Identifies workflow needs, contributes to the development of strategic and operational solutions, allocates resources, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures

Department: School of Freshwater Sciences
The School of Freshwater Sciences has a rich history of scientific discovery that has evolved over decades. The school's researchers have studied the Great Lakes and other large freshwater systems around the world, as well as inland waters, urban river systems, groundwater and more. Our research focus is on freshwater system dynamics, human and ecosystem health, the application of water technology to research questions, and water policy and economics. The pioneering graduate program began in 2009, evolving from decades of cutting-edge research conducted by UWM faculty at the Center for Great Lakes Studies and the Great Lakes WATER Institute. The undergraduate program launched in 2021 to expand our interdisciplinary approach and train students to meet the growing demand for water science professionals. Currently the School of Freshwater Sciences offers PhDs, master's and bachelor's degrees in freshwater sciences. Our work informs policy, improves water management, and promotes the health and sustainability of freshwater systems worldwide. We are driven to make a difference for our waters because we care about them, the communities they're in and the people who interact with them.
Center for Water Policy Description:
The Center for Water Policy's mission is to provide world class interdisciplinary research that offers solutions to regional, national and international problems related to the protection, restoration and conservation of freshwater resources to ensure long term environmental health and quality of life.Through a focus on water policy and science communications, we make our academic research accessible to the public. Established in 2011 through a $2.6 million Endowment from Lynde B. Uihlein, the Center builds on the research of the School of Freshwater Sciences, the Universities of Wisconsin, and networks and partnerships with top scholars, scientists, and policy institutions across the country and around the world.
The Assistant Director supports the Director of the Center for Water Policy to carry out the Center's mission. This role contributes to collaborative research initiatives that promote science-based, sustainable water policies within the Great Lakes region and beyond. The Center brings together teams of faculty, postdocs, graduate and law students, and undergraduates to produce academic articles, reports, policy briefs and communications. The Assistant Director supports the Director in positioning the Center for Water Policy, the School of Freshwater Sciences, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a national and international center of excellence in addressing water policy issues, research and innovation. The Assistant Director is responsible for managing the administration, financials, budget and human resources for the Center; engaging in research and preparing materials for extramural support and sponsorships; and supervising communications and outreach.
Responsibilities
Research Mission - 30%

• Engage in high-quality water policy research and writing

• Serve as more senior staff researcher to mentor and supervise research by others within the Center

• Identify and develop collaborative grant proposals to support research mission

• Prepare fundraising and external reports and assessments of all Center related activities

Outreach and Communication Mission - 25%

• Supervise communications fellows to implement strategies for water science and policy communications, including message development, media relations, social media and website content

• Collaborate with faculty and staff in the School of Freshwater Sciences and other public and private institutions, including coordinating with the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

• Support the Center's leadership of the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network.

Administrative and Human Resources Management - 25%

• Assist with establishment of goals and priorities for the annual budget for all revenues and expenditures

• Manage the Center budget, ensuring resources are allocated in a fashion that is aligned with the mission and goals of the Center and, in the case of grant or philanthropic support, complies with the grantor or donor intent

• Act as liaison to UWM administration and human resources, including navigating UWM databases, processes, and compliance requirements

• Help develop processes and procedures to improve the Center's internal management

• Ensure that related policies, procedures and standards are maintained.

Program and Strategy Support - 15%

• Engage in planning and identifying water policy priorities with the Director to shape the Center for Water Policy's strategic direction

• Provide administrative and strategic support to the Advisory Board

• Manage process and distribution of awards for the Fellows, Water Policy Scholars, and other Center programs.

Other Duties as Assigned by the Director - 5%
Compensation: $65,000 - $97,000 (Final salary offer contingent upon skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to the position)
Required Qualifications:

• 1 year of management, budget, or development experience

• Advanced degree relevant to position: JD, MS, MBA, or PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of management, budget, or development experience

• Water policy research skills

• Understanding of range of public communications strategies

• Excellent attention to detail

• Experience that demonstrates ability to support work environment that embraces people from all backgrounds, collaboration, ethical behavior, and team building

• Record of progressively responsible leadership and administrative experience, including personnel recruitment, employee management and budget preparation and management

• Experience writing grants and reporting to donors

• Ability to navigate complex institutional processes and databases to accomplish organizational priorities

• Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with multiple partners both academic and non-academic

• Demonstrated success in program management including carrying out coordinated organization, direction and implementation of projects and activities to achieve defined deliverables and outcomes

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with advisory boards and/or governance bodies

• Experience in water protection such as professional work, volunteering, or coursework

Education: Advanced degree relevant to position: JD, MS, MBA, or PhD
How to Apply: Please apply online-and provide both a resume and cover letter for consideration. Please plan to apply no later than 8/22/2026.
Contact Information: Any questions please reach out to Amy Rehfeldt at rehfelda@uwm.edu
Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM's Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.
Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.