The Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) and Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, combination position as Director of Extension Forest Program & Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice: Extension Specialist, reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas.
The Director of Extension Fire Program position is a part-time (0.50 FTE) 12-month professional faculty position and the Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice position is a part-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term academic faculty position with an academic home in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society.
Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.
The position is housed within the Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program (FNR), within the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.
The Fire Program Director provides leadership of the FNR Extension Fire Program and supervision of Fire Program employees (six Regional Fire Specialists and one Fire Program Manager). The Director guides and supports the Fire Program team in pursuing its mission, vision, goals, and programmatic activities, which are focused on fire resilience, a culture of adaptation, and fire-adapted ecosystems. The team’s mission is to foster fire-adapted communities and resilient landscapes through place-based partnerships, with a focus on equity and environmental justice.
The Director is expected to:
- lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based education and outreach programs that align with the team’s mission.
- supervise and support program faculty and staff, providing guidance on program planning, delivery, and evaluation while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.
- work across Extension, university units, and external partners to identify emerging issues, integrate current fire science into programming, and ensure alignment with stakeholder and community needs.
- build and maintain partnerships with state, tribal, and federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; and other relevant groups to enhance program reach and impact.
- serve as a key representative of the program at state, regional, and national levels, contributing leadership, expertise, and coordination in advancing wildfire policy, preparedness, and resilience efforts.
As an Extension Specialist, this position will have responsibility for Extension and Applied Research/Scholarship. Their work will address wildland fire science issues in forests, rangelands, and other ecosystems in Oregon to support wildfire resilience and foster fire-adapted cultures and ecosystems. They will seek to understand stakeholder needs and assets, and use these insights to develop and deliver tailored educational opportunities, providing technical assistance to support collaborative, landscape-scale wildfire resilience and adaptation efforts. Primary audiences may include natural resource managers, wildland fire managers, Tribal Nations, industry representatives, agency personnel, students, private landowners, and the general public.
This faculty member is required to use modern learning tools, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. Active and effective communication with staff and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. Oregon State University and the OSU Extension Service are committed to maintaining and enhancing a collaborative and inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. All employees of Extension are responsible for helping to ensure that these commitments are achieved.
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, this individual will support the Fire Team to 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.
An offer of employment does not guarantee Oregon State University’s ability or commitment to sponsor employment authorization within the U.S.