Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Oregon State University College of Forestry and the Division of Extension and Engagement invite applications for an Extension Fire Regional Specialist position based in La Grande, OR. This is a 12-month, full-time, fixed-term, Assistant Professor of Practice position.

This Extension Fire Regional Specialist is in the OSU Extension Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Fire Program and will have an academic rank of Assistant Professor of Practice. The academic home for this position will be in either the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management or the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society within the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. Decisions regarding this position are in consultation with the supervision team: Regional Director; Extension Forestry & Natural Resources Program Leader; and Extension Forestry & Natural Resources Fire Program Director.

This position is designed to focus on Extension program development and delivery related to wildland fire science and management in northeastern Oregon, across all land ownerships and vegetation types in Sherman, Gillam, Morrow, Wheeler, Grant, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Baker counties. To accomplish this, the position will involve science-based outreach and education, support for community planning and landscape-scale project implementation, and state policy engagement. Key audiences include public forest and rangeland managers, private landowners, rural and wildland-urban interface communities, forest and fire suppression workers, tribes, and fire management specialists. Key topics will include collaborative natural resource management, community wildfire preparedness, wildland fuel reduction and fire management, prescribed burning, timber and range management treatments to build fire resistance and resilience, post-burn recovery, and workforce development. We recognize that wildfire disproportionately affects the security and livelihoods of certain populations, including non-English speakers, people of color, Tribal, and low-income communities. Accordingly, the position will develop programming that involves such populations and accounts for disparities in power and social status.

This position will work directly with a Fire Program Manager, Fire Program Director, and FNR Extension faculty in the Forestry & Natural Resources and Fire Extension Programs; and will also work cooperatively with other faculty and staff at Oregon State University and external partners such as the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Water Conservation Districts, The NE Oregon Small Woodlands Owner Association, The Nature Conservancy, Tribal nations, Sustainable Northwest, Northwest Fire Science Consortium, local fire departments and fire protection districts, and the State Fire Marshal to develop partnerships and facilitate landscape-scale, cross-boundary management projects.

Oregon State University is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders.

This individual 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. The position will require travel to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

About the division:

The Division of Extension and Engagement (Division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The Division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our Division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our Division website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/.

OSU Extension research, programs, partnerships and volunteer opportunities are focused on:

• Healthy communities and economies
• Resilient and productive forests and natural ecosystems
• Sustainable agriculture, food systems, and gardening
• Thriving youth, individuals and families

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 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.

OSU Division of Extension and Engagement’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion

OSU Moving Forward Together

https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together

Position Duties

This faculty member embeds the commitment of Oregon State University to collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed, and contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture.

80% – Extension Programming

• Assess needs of target audiences to include forest and rangeland owners, professional natural resource managers, loggers and other forest and range workers, natural resource collaborative members, policy makers, and others. Assessment methods may include combinations of focus groups, surveys, evaluation of secondary data, key informant interviews, and other techniques purposefully implemented to gain a clear understanding of audience needs.
• Establish, manage, and maintain internal and external partnerships including, but not limited to, private and public landowners, Prescribed Fire Councils, local Fire Departments/Fire Service Areas, and representatives of local, collaboratives and watershed councils, and state and federal natural resource and emergency management agencies/entities. In NE Oregon, potential partners include: Southern Blues Partners and Northern Blues Restoration Partnership.
• Engage with underserved communities through relevant partnerships and programming to support a greater regional understanding of social disparities in the impact of wildfires, deliver community-based solutions, and encourage needed scientific research and policy changes.
• Track trends, initiatives, and developments in fire science; landscape-scale, cross-boundary efforts; and education that lead to excellence in program direction.
• Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate non-credit educational programs for target audiences, working with other Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Extension faculty members, external partners, and/or volunteers. Educational programming is to include classes, workshops, short courses, seminars, field tours, webinars, web-based instructional modules, videos, etc.
• Respond to the needs of the region’s communities and partners concerning fire/forestry/rangeland issues and questions. Integrate pertinent research results into outreach programs and share information with clients through newsletters, local meetings, electronic communications, and other appropriate mechanisms.
• Provide analysis and reporting for program progress and assessment including needs, impact, and outcome measurement. Annually provide impact/outcome statement reports adhering to Extension criteria.
• Assist groups and networks of landowners in securing funding through programs such as the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Oregon Department of Forestry; and in inventory, outreach, monitoring, or other activities related to their engagement in cross-boundary project planning and implementation.
• Assist regional landscape-scale, cross-boundary project planning and implementation.
• Design and produce peer-reviewed educational materials not limited to academic publications (bulletins, websites, online educational modules, videos, posters, etc.) that meet needs based on clientele feedback and are guided by research.
• Develop and maintain a professional development plan designed to build core competencies in all aspects of the Extension position. Participate in professional development activities annually. Examples of professional development activities may include wildland fire assignments and activities (both wildfire and prescribed fire).
• Travel is required to deliver educational programs and work with target audiences throughout assigned region.

10% – Applied Research and Scholarly Outcomes

• Conduct applied research related to forestry and natural resource management to better inform practices in the region or to assess impacts in the region. Examples of applied research are field trials and experiments, public surveys, and studies of program success and impacts.
• Utilize local research forests and rangelands and collaborate with campus-based faculty and other collaborators within the university, as well as other agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.
• Scholarly and creative work must be peer reviewed and communicated externally with special emphasis on community needs
• Appropriate types of scholarship for this position include, but are not limited to:
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals which might encompass description and evaluation of novel community-based professional practice or research application, program development and innovation, outcomes of innovative programs and/or services, definitive professional practice reviews, or case reports among others.
• Authorship of Extension publications, publications featuring regionally or locally relevant research, book chapters, other educational materials and electronic information delivery media if it is either peer reviewed before dissemination or if there is evidence of its adoption and use by peers.
• To achieve promotion, there must be an on-going record that both of these types of scholarship are being done though each does not need to be present in every year of record. Documentation must also be provided that shows these scholarly outputs have had impact on communities and partnerships in the fire service area.
• These broadly accessible and durable materials may be augmented by other forms of peer validation such as the following:
• Invited presentations, poster and podium presentations, and published abstracts and/or proceedings at state, regional and national levels, provided that evidence of peer validation is provided.
• Documented impact due to local or regional adoption of improved practices, methods, or programs.
• Secured competitive grants and contracts appropriate for the scope and focus of the faculty member’s position.
• Named inventor of a protected intellectual property in the faculty member’s field.
• Recognition as a professional practitioner in community settings as demonstrated by
  • Honorary degrees.
  • Awards recognizing community, professional and/or scientific achievements.
  • Fellowships in national professional and/or scientific organizations.
  • Requests to serve as a technical advisor to government agencies, industry, or professional groups.
• For more information on the scholarly outcome expectations for this position, please refer to the “Guideline for Professors of Practice” contained in the OSU Faculty Handbook.
• Best practice is to ensure inclusive scholarship:
• Including diverse perspectives on the research team, particularly among co-principal investigators.
• Emphasizing diversity to address broadening participation in grant proposals.
• Writing articles and books that address issues of diversity/social justice.
• Presenting conference papers on issues of diversity/social justice.
• Increasing the diversity of students who serve as research assistants.

5% – Program Development and Management

• Utilize technology to increase the impact of program delivery, such as participating with Ask-an-Expert (Ask Extension) and developing locally relevant web-based tools.
• Use multiple methods of electronic communication and social media (i.e., websites, social media platforms, video conferencing and webinars) to communicate and 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 in assigned region.
• Organize and maintain a regional program advisory committee or networks to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Utilize OSU Extension and University branding in program level deliverables.
• Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers the understanding and context of how the FNR Fire Extension Program work relates to overall Extension programming output.
• Contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of teaching, educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, service, and/or scholarly outcomes. Outputs and impacts of efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity should be included in promotion dossiers.

5% – Service

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with appropriate organizations, societies, and public agencies.
• Participate in professional activities and serve on professional association, county, university, department, college, and Extension committees as appropriate.
• Participate fully as a member of the FNR Extension Team and attend meetings, take on assignments, and otherwise contribute to the functioning of the Program.
• Promote Extension programs locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Work as a team with other Extension faculty and staff in planning, implementing, evaluating, and marketing programs on a county and regional/state basis.

Minimum/Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or related field. Degree must be completed by date of hire.
• Demonstrated educational or work-related experience in wildland fire science and/or management.
• Demonstrated experience with public outreach, community engagement, and/or sharing knowledge with diverse audiences in non-formal settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in outreach or Extension education program development and delivery.
• Experience participating in multi-stakeholder collaborative natural resource groups and understanding of how to effectively communicate and represent both science and policy to external partners in these settings.
• Experience with producing scholarly outcomes.
• Experience working with private landowners.
• Ability to use common computer software, including proficiency with information technology, collaborative work platforms, web sites, and social media, and adapt to changes in the technological environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to manage competing time demands.
• Ability to lead a team, and be a team member, with other professionals and volunteers.
• Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
• Ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program and office management.
• Ability to secure external funding support for educational and research programs.

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.

To review posting and apply, go to: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/143730. Apply to posting # P07318UF. For full consideration, apply by 10/13/23. Closes 10/31/23. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.