Director of Special Projects

  • Cal State University (CSU) Humboldt
  • Arcata, California
  • Jun 08, 2024
Administration and Management

Job Description

Director of Special Projects

Office of Initiatives
Job #537988
Close Date: Sunday, July 7, 2024

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have nearly 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs - all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #537988) Administrator II, Director of Special Projects, Salary Range: $4,411 - $14,162 monthly. Hiring Range: $10,000 - $13,334 monthly. This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position. This position is an Administrator II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml . This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits .

Position Summary:

The Director of Special Projects has responsibility for supporting the success of the University’s regional community and workforce development strategic goals; and for obtaining public and private funding to support them. This work requires innovation in matching University capacity with available opportunities. It also requires extensive financial, analytical and project planning skills. The position works closely with university research leaders, centers and institutes; as well as government organizations and industry partners. The Director of Special Projects reports to the Executive Director of the Initiatives and may be responsible for supervising staff and contractors as necessary. This position location is hybrid with primary location offsite and periodic in-person meeting required.

Key Responsibilities:
  • 35% - Works closely with the Executive Director of Initiatives to identify external funding opportunities and create business case fundraising initiatives Including advocating for Cal Poly Humboldt to local, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private corporations to include; facilitating partnerships with other institutions and businesses to collaborate on research and community funding initiatives; helping to build business cases and match faculty relationships with businesses and non-profits; Coordinate equipment and facility grants; work with the local, state and federal broadband organizations in furthering community broadband expansion.
  • 20% - Communicates and negotiates with representatives from corporate entities in support of grants and fundraising which includes; writing and negotiating Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements.
  • 20% - Interacts with internal contacts including the VP for Advancement, Deans, Directors, Faculty, and other Development staff to consult on university needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the University and to identify potential donors.
  • 15% - Assists in the management and organization of donor and grant funded projects including; providing guidance to Cal Poly Humboldt grant managers to ensure goals are accomplished on-time and within budget; assist with financial planning and forecasting; reviewing legal contract terms and negotiating agreements and grant awards; working with outside counsel to assist in identifying and patenting of Cal Poly Humboldt intellectual property.
  • 5% - Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager.
  • 5% - Other Duties as Assigned


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:
  • Skill in Project Management ability in diverse scenarios.
  • Demonstrated skills in raising money through non-profit, government, and corporate grants.
  • Ability to engage with colleagues of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Strong leadership and financial management skills.
  • Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local grant compliance programs.
  • Demonstrated skills in managing financial profitability for large entities.
  • Ability to work with private corporations and private foundations in fundraising.
  • Ability working with Local, State and Federal agencies.


Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or Systems Management 10 years professional experience Valid CA Class C Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:
Budgeting and forecasting skills Ability to negotiate. Knowledge of Institutional Review Board (IRB) Ability to write and understand contract legal language including Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Intellectual Property (IP). Project and system management skills Experience working with broadband granting agencies Experience with patents and patenting process. Knowledge of Code of Federal Regulations - 2 CFR Part 200 Master’s degree in related field, including business administration, Economics, Systems Management, Organizational Development or Finance.
Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:
  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu .

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 3312
Publication Date: June 7, 2024

Advertised: Jun 07 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 07 2024 Pacific Daylight Time

Closing Date/Time:

Job Address

Arcata, California 95521 United States View Map