University of Minnesota Seeks Extension Educator, Forest Ecosystem Health

Extension Center: Center for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)

Location: UMN Extension Regional Office in Cloquet or Grand Rapids, MN

Apply By: January 5, 2023

 

The Forest Ecosystem Health Regional Extension Educator will bring in-depth expertise to help improve the health, resilience, and productivity of Minnesota’s family-owned woodlands. The educator will collaborate with diverse organizations to assess educational needs and develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs that will have a measurable impact towards improving family owned woodland health and productivity. They will provide leadership for educational programming primarily targeting Minnesota family woodland owners, who collectively own about 1/3 of the state’s forest land, and the professional natural resource managers who serve them. Programming will inform and support active forest management for the public and private benefits these woodlands provide, including sustainable production of renewable wood products and proactive climate adaptation as well as a wide variety of ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation.

 

This position will be a significant contributor to educational programming delivered through the Extension natural resources program area, a joint offering of University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). This includes leadership on established programs like Master Woodland Owner and communications through the University of Minnesota Extension website. It is anticipated that the person in this position will develop and lead Extension forestry programs related to forest ecosystem health and the bioeconomy. Programming priorities include creative approaches to scale up landowner involvement and engagement in active forest management directly and/or indirectly through collaboration and partnership with companies, agencies, and organizations providing local landowner technical assistance and other services.

 

● Assess educational needs, develop, deliver, and evaluate Extension programming, decision tools, and other resources about important MN forest ecosystem health issues where active forest or woodland management can generate significant positive impacts and public value, primarily on lands owned and managed by individuals and families.

● Engage with stakeholder groups like the Minnesota Forestry Association, the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Minnesota Forest Industries, and the companies, agencies, and organizations serving Minnesota’s family woodland owners to assess and address priority

landowner education needs, including opportunities to better serve traditionally underserved audiences.

● Working with other UMN faculty and staff, develop and lead Extension programs designed to scale up family forest landowner involvement and engagement in active forest management for all the public and private benefits that management provides.

● Develop and implement monitoring, evaluation and reporting protocols to ensure program efficacy and identification of emerging forest ecosystem health educational needs.

● Contribute to applied research that supports Extension programs, education, and outreach related to forest adaptation to a changing climate and forests’ roles in mitigating the negative impacts of a changing climate.

● Document professional performance using the annual performance review, professional plan of work and promotion for Extension educators with rank.

 

This position will be based at the Extension Regional Office in either Cloquet or Grand Rapids, MN. Flexible work requests will be considered consistent with Extension policies and approved individually.

 

This person will travel overnight to locations across Minnesota approximately 1-3 nights per month and day trips approximately 6-10 times per month.

1. The position has an annual University academic professional appointment as Assistant Extension Professor, Job code 9623 and has Extension academic rank. The appointment will

be annually renewable with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of funds and program needs.

2. Promotion in Extension academic rank is required and is contingent upon accomplishments as an Extension Educator.

3. University of Minnesota appointment and benefits. Benefits package available

https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Summaries-Prospective-Employees

4. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.

5. Estimated starting salary range is $55,000-72,000 annually. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

 

Candidates must meet all required qualifications, and must document them in application materials (cover letter and resume/CV).

 

● A master’s degree addressing applications of natural, physical, or social science to problems including, but not limited to forest ecology, silviculture, natural resource management, forest-based wildlife and/or forest soils.

● Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely in appropriate formats for various audiences, particularly in natural resource sectors (e.g., scientists, community members, decision makers, students, media, etc.).

 

● Travel is necessary to perform the responsibilities of this position, sometimes including overnight travel. Travel reimbursement provided according to University policies.

● Valid driver’s license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance

● Use of a reliable cell phone/smartphone reimbursement is not provided.

● Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening and weekend work.

● Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.

● Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.

● Working ability to perform tasks involving sitting, standing, bending, or twisting, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force. Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.

● Must be able to lift, push, pull 15 lbs routinely and 40 lbs rarely as well as sit or stand for prolonged periods of time

● Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a

completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement.

● This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

 

● Training or experience in Extension theory including needs assessment and program development, delivery, management and evaluation.

● Experience engaging across the various networks, professions and organizations engaged in family woodland owner and natural resources management.

● Experience in participatory research, community engagement and knowledge co-creation and delivery.

● Experience writing and administering grants.

● Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and ability to work independently with little or no supervision. This includes the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, stakeholders, and communities, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, cultures and backgrounds.

 

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in

Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension’s programming and employee engagement.

 

Please apply at: https://extension.umn.edu/home/careers, Job Opening ID: 353149

 

Applications must be submitted online. Please include the following attachments with your online application:

● Cover letter

● Resume/Vitae

● Diversity statement: In 500 words or less, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives, and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your statement could

include the following:

o Personalized views and experiences

o Topics through the lens of your own knowledge or experience

o If you don’t have personal experience on a topic, reflect on why

o Demonstrated learning and growth

 

Three professional references and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

 

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.

 

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

 

Angela Gupta, Extension Educator and Search Chair, agupta@umn.edu.

 

Tiffany McMillan, Extension Human Resources, tiffmcm@umn.edu.

 

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

 

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:

https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

 

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

 

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.