Assistant Professor of Practice in Urban Forestry

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

8d

About The Position

Our aim is to recruit, support, and retain a scholar in Urban Forestry, including urban ecological systems broadly defined. We welcome applicants with expertise in the structure, function, and management of urban trees and forests; processes influencing canopy dynamics, tree health, and biodiversity; and the role of trees, vegetation, and greenspace in places where people live (e.g., cities, townships, and suburban communities). We strongly encourage applications from individuals whose professional work reflects a commitment to sustaining life through meaningful human connections with trees, vegetation, and greenspace. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching (65%), Extension (25%), and service (10%) in areas including urban forest dynamics, arboriculture and tree health, tree canopy change, forest-based ecosystem services, tree and forest measurement, and equitable access to greenspace in municipal and urbanizing areas.
Teaching and Non-Classroom Instructional Responsibilities (65%)
The successful candidate is expected to teach approximately four courses per academic year, including a course to be developed in Urban Forestry and/or Urban Ecology. Additional courses will be determined based on programmatic needs and the candidate’s expertise. Courses should incorporate relevant technologies, data analysis, and applied tools appropriate to professional practice in urban forestry and related fields. The incumbent will support the Society of American Foresters (SAF)–accredited forestry curriculum and engage students in applied, experiential, and course-based projects. The incumbent will be an integral member of the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), a advising undergraduate and graduate students across SENR academic programs, consistent with faculty advising expectations.
Extension and Outreach Responsibilities (25%)
This position includes a 25% Extension appointment, and Extension expectations are commensurate with that level of effort. The successful candidate will develop and deliver a coordinated Extension and outreach program in Urban Forestry that addresses priority needs of communities, municipalities, and agencies across Ohio. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Extension professionals within SENR, across CFAES, and throughout OSU Extension, as appropriate, and may include educational programming, technical assistance, training, and engagement with stakeholders such as programming, technical assistance, training, and engagement with stakeholders such as county, city, and state governments; forestry and natural resource agencies; nongovernmental organizations; community groups; and private-sector partners. The Extension program is expected to be applied, collaborative, and responsive to stakeholder needs, consistent with the land-grant mission of the college and university.
Service (10%)
This position includes a 10% service appointment, with expectations commensurate with those of all faculty in SENR. The successful candidate will provide appropriate service to SENR, CFAES, and The Ohio State University through participation in committees, governance commensurate to a professional practice appointment, and related activities. The incumbent is also expected to engage in professional service consistent with their expertise in urban forestry and the land-grant mission.
Research Expectations
This position has no formal research requirement for purposes of promotion, though the incumbent is not precluded from engaging in applied or complementary research activities on an ad hoc basis when such efforts align with Extension programming, teaching, community needs, or professional development goals.

Requirements

• Earned Ph.D. in forestry, forest sciences, natural resource management, arboriculture, urban ecology, urban planning, ecological science (including restoration), or a related field
• Evidence of potential for excellence in teaching
• Demonstrated interest in and/or experience with mentoring and advising students from a multitude of backgrounds and lived experiences
• Evidence of a willingness and ability to work closely with different academic (e.g., students, staff, faculty) and practitioner audiences
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills, including an ability to clearly communicate to government leaders, decision makers, and other community partners who may have little to no background in forestry and/or ecology

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated interest in or experience with any of the following:
• Urban forestry planning, tree inventories, or green infrastructure
• Community engagement, outreach, or participatory research involving diverse stakeholders
• Conducting applied and/or basic research in urban forests and/or urban ecological systems
• The application of technology to monitoring urban forests and/or ecological systems

Responsibilities

• Teaching & Curriculum: Teach courses that support the forestry and related academic programs in SENR and CFAES, including Biometrics (Forest Measurements), a course to be developed on Urban Forestry and/or Urban Ecology, and additional courses aligned with candidate expertise and programmatic needs.
• Student Advising: Advise undergraduate and graduate students, including honors students, consistent with SENR and CFAES advising expectations.
• Inclusive Learning Environments: Cultivate inclusive and supportive learning environments that promote student belonging and success within SENR, CFAES, and related natural resource professions.
• Curricular Leadership: Provide leadership in curricular matters related to urban forestry education, including contributions to programs that meet state, regional, and national workforce needs and support accreditation standards (e.g., Society of American Foresters).
• Outreach & Extension Program Development: Develop an impactful outreach and Extension program in Urban Forestry that addresses the needs of community, municipal, and governmental partners and advances urban forestry initiatives across the state of Ohio.
• Extension Collaboration: Collaborate with Extension professionals within SENR, CFAES, and across OSU Extension to share research-based and practice-oriented knowledge in urban forestry that meets the needs of governmental, nongovernmental, and community partners.
• Service: Serve SENR, CFAES, the university, and relevant professional communities through committee work and other appropriate service activities.
• Collaborative Engagement: Work collaboratively with faculty and staff across SENR, CFAES, and the university; OSU Extension; CFAES forestry-related teams; and external partners (e.g., government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and industry) to advance the land-grant mission of the college and university.

Benefits

• Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree