Assistant/Associate Professor: Extension Specialist In Forest Watershed

Position Details
Position Information
Department
Forest Eng/Resourcs/Mgmt (FOR)
Position Title
Associate Professor
Job Title
Assistant/Associate Professor: Extension Specialist in Forest Watershed
Appointment Type
Academic Faculty
Job Location
Corvallis
Benefits Eligible
Full-Time, benefits eligible
Job Summary
The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor: Extension Specialist in Forest Watershed position.
Oregon has extensive forest lands providing various ecosystem services, including water, habitat for fish and wildlife, and recreation opportunities while supporting a restoration economy and a large and varied forest products industry. The Assistant or Associate Professor (Forest WatershedExtension Specialist) is a long-standing and critical position in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management with responsibilities for Extension, Research, and Teaching. This position will focus on a broad range of topics associated with forested watersheds, including forest practices and their environmental impacts, watershed restoration, ecosystem services, soil science, and policy influencing riparian ecosystems. This position bridges stakeholder user groups and individuals, scientists conducting watershed and hydrology research, and Extension faculty. The incumbent will develop educational materials, programs, and their own applied research program focused on contemporary issues related to Forest Watershed management. This position works closely with other Extension faculty and as a critical member of the Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Extension Program in the College of Forestry.
The incumbent will provide technical assistance and training to stakeholders, including support to industry, academic organizations, professional groups, and associations.
The incumbent will conduct a range of Extension activities, including technical assistance and training to stakeholders, industry, academic organizations, professional groups, tribes, and community groups. Building upon Extension's record as a trusted knowledge broker, the incumbent will support communities and the forest sector to move towards collective action that leads to positive and sustainable social and ecological outcomes. The incumbent should be prepared to deal with various issues, perspectives, and priorities relating to forest and watershed management. In this, they will be aided by the interdisciplinary tools, collaborative focus and participatory approaches that are the foundations of the College of Forestry Extension Program.
The incumbent will develop a successful research program in the areas related to forest hydrology, hillslope hydrology, watershed science, Forest Watershed management, and other related topics. The incumbent's research will contribute to the Department's sustainable and equitable forest management focus. Each faculty member is expected to secure funds for extramural research, successfully mentor graduate students, and publish their research results in peer-reviewed journals.
In addition, the incumbent will participate annually in departmental, college, and university-level affairs and governance.
The Forestry and Forest Engineering undergraduate degree programs are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. The successful candidate will join the faculty in these programs to deliver quality instruction by teaching 1 undergraduate or graduate course in the areas of hydrological science or forest policy.
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. For more information on our commitment to inclusive excellence, see: 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
Oregon State University is committed to maintaining and enhancing its collaborative, inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. As an OSU faculty member, the incumbent is responsible for helping to achieve these goals throughout all aspects of their work.
60% Extension Programming:

• Serve as a statewide Extension Specialist in Forest Watershed Management, providing education for and engagement with forest owners, professional natural resource managers, loggers and other forest workers, watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, natural resource collaborative members, policymakers, tribes, and others.
• Design programming that reflects cultural, policy, and social implications of tribal connections to water and forests in Oregon. Base such programming on long-term relationship-building with tribal partners combined with OSU College of Forestry guidelines for working with tribes and other state and national policies and guidance documents.
• Assess the needs of intended audiences and use results to focus program development efforts. In doing so, carefully evaluate the needs of underrepresented or non-traditional Extension audiences and socially vulnerable groups.
• Develop a logic model or equivalent to demonstrate intentional planning with clearly defined objectives that link Extension efforts to outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Evaluate Extension programs regularly and prepare relevant impact statements. Conduct annual planning and reporting of accomplishments as required.
• Design, develop, and deliver non-credit educational programs and events, such as workshops, short courses, seminars, field tours, webinars, etc., on subjects important to clientele. This will require travel throughout the state of Oregon.
• Develop and prepare educational program materials such as Extension publications, websites, online educational modules, videos, blogs, posters, etc.
• Collaborate with FNR faculty to deliver programming in counties around Oregon, maintain and update existing FNR core curriculum, develop new core curriculum modules, and lead FNR Extension group projects related to Forest Watershed management.
• Monitor and respond to emerging issues such as impacts of climate change, forest pests and diseases, and changing economic and social pressures.
• Participation in professional development opportunities appropriate for the current assignment and specialty is strongly encouraged and supported.

25% Applied Research:

• Manage and maintain an externally funded research program that contributes to at least one of the Department's focal areas, focused on water and watershed management issues in the Pacific Northwest Region (Oregon and beyond).
• Synthesize and communicate research results to scientific, forestry, and watershed management communities through appropriate outlets, including refereed journals, scientific and professional meetings, workshops, and other appropriate events and electronic communication (i.e., websites, publications, video conferencing, and other online methods).
• Supervise Graduate Assistants and other research faculty as needed. Serve as major professor, co-advise, and participate as a committee member for graduate students as appropriate.

10% Teaching and Mentoring

• Teach up to one 3-credit undergraduate or graduate course in Forest hydrology annually.

5% Service

• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees as assigned.
• Participate in the workings of the FNR Extension Program, including attending scheduled planning and partner meetings, leading and participating in group projects, serving on Extension Service Committees, and mentoring newer Extension faculty.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with appropriate organizations, societies, public agencies, and tribes.
• Contribute actively and provide leadership within relevant professional and scientific societies and associations, such as the Society of American Foresters and the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals.
• Contribute to task forces, working groups, and boards of organizations related to forests and waters in Oregon and beyond.
• Practice a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

What You Will Need

• PhD in watershed management, forest hydrology, ecohydrology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering non-formal (non-credit) educational programs to external audiences or formal (for-credit) education to university students.
• Evidence of prior teaching experience and a high potential for teaching excellence. Evidence could include peer evaluations from prior teaching roles or completion of a college teaching certificate program
• Demonstrated strength in oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to produce scholarly outcomes through publications and/or scholarly presentations.

For individuals seeking the rank of Associate Professor.

• Candidate should meet the OSU teaching, advising, research, and service criteria for appointment at the desired rank (see the OSU Faculty Handbook for details). OSU will consider previous years of experience at other, similar institutions towards timelines for rank or tenure promotions.

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

• Experience assessing the educational needs of non-credit audiences, developing relevant resources to address those needs, and evaluating the impacts of those efforts.
• Demonstrated successful grant writing skills and experience.
• Knowledge about Pacific Northwest Forest ecosystems, climate, hydrology, and natural resource issues and needs.
• Experience working with practitioners, managers, and policymakers
• Ability to provide leadership to teams and individuals, including supervisees, students, and colleague...