Assistant Professor (Practice) - Urban Forestry Extension Specialist

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Oregon City, OREGON
Deadline: 22 Apr 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Department Forestry & Natrl Res Ext (FOR)
Position Title Assistant Professor (Practice)
Job Title Assistant Professor (Practice) - Urban Forestry Extension Specialist
Appointment Type Academic Faculty
Job Location Oregon
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
The Department of Extension Forestry and Natural Resources Program in the College of Forestry invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Assistant Professor (Practice) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.
The position will have responsibilities for Extension and for Teaching, primarily undergraduate students.
Forests in urban areas provide valuable ecosystem services. The expansion of urban areas coupled with growing recognition of the importance of forests, trees, and green infrastructure in these regions makes more critical than ever urban foresters who can help plan and maintain sustainable and resilient forests and greenspaces. As such, we seek an individual who can provide Extension and instruction in areas such as urban forestry principles, arboriculture, tree health, climate-resilient landscaping, climate change mitigation through urban vegetation, greenspace development, and wildland-urban interface issues.
The incumbent will be part of the Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Extension team that provides non-credit learning experiences on forestry and natural resource issues to a wide range of audiences. Educational audiences and partners may include professional natural resource managers, individuals living in urban areas or the wildland-urban interface, collaborative conservation groups and watershed councils, Tribes, policy-makers, economic development officials, and educators. The incumbent may also engage a broad spectrum of youth indirectly through teacher professional development or directly through youth events such as outdoor schools and camps.
To fulfill expectations for Extension programming, the incumbent shall identify and address clientele needs, and will use modern learning tools including online and hybrid classes, multimedia, and digital communications to help build a culture of engaged scholarship that seeks active partnerships between the university and communities, and promotes integration of programs across disciplines. More can be learned about the Division of Extension and Engagement and its core units and initiatives at the Division website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/ .
Expectationsfor instruction include teaching two or more courses for students in the undergraduate Natural Resources, Graduate Certificate in Urban Forestry, and Master of Natural Resources programs. Initial courses taught will be in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. The incumbent will also advise graduate students.
The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society is an academic unit within the College of Forestry composed of approximately 120 staff, and including faculty, research assistants, support staff, graduate students, temporary staff and undergraduate students. The mission of the Department is to bring together biological and social scientists and philosophers to understand ecological systems, social systems, and the interactions between them. It accomplishes this through an interconnected program of 1) undergraduate and graduate educations; 2) scholarly research; and 3) extended education. Our Extended Education Program (E-Campus) has approximately 53 courses, with approximately 305 students each year.
Commitment to inclusive excellence:
Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors, and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language Access regulations. In addition, faculty members will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Extension programs to ensure that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation. To learn more about the OSU Division of Extension and Engagement’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unit, please visit our website:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion .
Also, please see OSU Moving Forward Together:
https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together .
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
This faculty member embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed while fostering a welcoming and respectful workplace culture.
45% Extension
Extension Delivery and Evaluation – 40%
  • Design, deliver, and evaluate non-credit educational programs and events, such as workshops, short courses, seminars, field tours, webinars, web-based instructional modules, etc. on subjects important to clientele, using a diversity of perspectives in program content.
  • Develop educational materials such as Extension web content, newsletter articles, podcasts, videos, social or mass media content, and other digital content.
  • Use technology as a tool to increase the reach and impact of program delivery on constituents including participating in Ask Extension.
  • Develop marketing strategies and use appropriate tools (e.g., digital and print assets, video, press releases, social media, the Division’s customer relationship management system) to reach intended audience segments.
  • Work as a team with other Extension faculty and staff in planning, implementing, evaluating, and marketing programs on a county, regional, and statewide basis.
  • Engage youth indirectly through teacher professional development or directly through outdoor schools, camps, and other youth events.
  • Contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of teaching, educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, service, and/or scholarly outcomes.


Extension Program Development and Management – 5%
  • Identify pertinent audiences, assess their needs, and use findings to focus program development efforts.
  • Develop an annual plan of work that addresses educational needs and evaluates the quality and impact of educational programs provided to audiences.
  • Establish and maintain professional relationships with appropriate partner organizations, societies, and entities.
  • Organize and maintain program advisory and management committees or networks to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Provide context and understanding of the overall Extension programming output to community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers.
  • Use multiple methods of electronic communication (i.e., websites, publications, video conferencing and other online methods) to collaborate internally and externally as appropriate.
  • Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance educational programs. Actively contribute to Extension’s efforts to achieve financial stability.
  • Supervise student employees, volunteers, and/or program assistants on either a permanent or intermittent basis.

30% Teaching and Advising
  • Teach approximately 10-12 credits per year, including online undergraduate and graduate level courses that may cover topics such as urban forestry and arboriculture. Examples of courses that could be taught include FES/HORT 350 Urban Forestry and FES/HORT 447/547 Arboriculture.
  • Develop and/or redevelop E-campus courses as needed.
  • Supervise a Graduate Teaching Assistant as needed.
  • Participate in FES graduate or undergraduate programs through mentoring and advising of students and serving on student committees.

15% Applied Research and Scholarly Outcomes
Assigned duties for this position are expected to result in scholarly outcomes. Scholarly work encompasses intellectual work whose significance is validated by peers and that is communicated. Emphasis in scholarship should be placed on outcomes that recognize activities as a professional practitioner in community settings as defined by the position description. This may include outcomes of applied research related to forestry and natural resources to inform practices in the assigned region or to assess impacts of practices in collaboration with colleagues at OSU, relevant agencies and organizations, Tribes, private landowners, and other partners.
For more information on the scholarly outcome expectations for this position, please refer to the “Guidelines for Professor of Practice Appointments and Promotion” contained in the OSU Faculty Handbook https://facultyaffairs.oregonstate.edu/faculty-handbook/promotion-and-tenure-guidelines#Practice .
Specific expectations of this position are:
  • Conduct research and scholarship on urban forestry principles, arboriculture, tree health, climate-resilient landscaping, climate change mitigation through urban vegetation, greenspace development, and wildland-urban interface issues.
  • Synthesize and communicate results of research through outlets including refereed journals, books and book chapters, extension publications, scientific meetings, and professional workshops.
  • Secure competitive grants and contracts appropriate for the scope and focus of the faculty member’s position.

10% Service and Professional Development
Service the department, college, university and profession through committee service and leadership as appropriate and requested by the department, college and university administration. The individual in this position is encouraged to serve on state, regional, national and/or Tribal committees appropriate to position responsibilities and to participate in professional organization activities. Examples of service activities could include serving on College of Forestry committees, Extension committees, OSU leadership committees, and committees of professional societies. The incumbent is expected to participate fully as a member of the OSU Extension Team and Forest Ecosystems and Society department by attending meetings, taking on assignments, and otherwise contributing to the functioning of the Extension Program and Department. The individual will also be expected to participate in professional development opportunities that are appropriate for the assignment and specialty.
What You Will Need
  • Master’s degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Urban Forestry, or a closely related discipline at time of hire.
  • Professional experience in urban forestry or arboriculture.
  • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential at time of hire.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of types of learners in diverse settings such as classrooms and online for-credit education opportunities, or non-credit learning opportunities such as presentations, workshops, field trips, demonstrations, and continuing professional development.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the ability to work with diverse faculty, students, industry clientele, and stakeholders.
  • Potential to conduct or support scholarly or applied research.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.


This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
What We Would Like You to Have
  • PhD in Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Urban Forestry, or related discipline at time of hire.
  • Experience creating and teaching urban forestry related curricula or course content and working with non-traditional individuals who have diverse life experiences.
  • Demonstrated success in undergraduate and graduate student mentoring.
  • Ability to translate scientific and technical course content to a variety of learning contexts.
  • Potential to secure external funding in support of program activities (such as educational or outreach programs).
  • Potential to provide leadership to teams and individuals that could include citizen scientists, volunteers, supervisees, and students.
  • Ability to use multiple forms of digital communication tools and systems, including websites, email newsletters and social media, and the willingness to adapt to a changing technological environment.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
  • Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, possibly with limited overnight travel.
  • Ability to work outside in inclement weather and in uneven or rough terrain, according to program needs.
  • Travel/driving is required to provide Extension educational programming and services across the assigned region.
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range Salary is commensurate with education, skills, and experience.
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/151386

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P07855UF
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 08/01/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 03/08/2024
Full Consideration Date 04/08/2024
Closing Date 04/22/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by April 8, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.”
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A Curriculum Vitae; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Paul Ries
[email protected]
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected] .

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