Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Urban Forestry

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Our aim is to recruit, support, and retain an educator and practitioner who will advance urban forestry education, practice, and engagement across Ohio and beyond. We welcome applicants with expertise in urban forestry, including community and municipal forestry, urban forest planning and management, arboriculture, tree health and risk assessment, urban ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and the role of trees and greenspaces in supporting healthy, sustainable communities. We strongly encourage applications from individuals whose professional work reflects a commitment to preparing the next generation of urban forestry professionals and strengthening connections among people, trees, and communities. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching (50%), extension and outreach (40%), and service (10%) in areas related to urban forestry practice and planning, arboriculture, urban forest assessment and management, community engagement, and professional workforce development. The position is designed to advance OSU’s land-grant mission through excellence in teaching, student mentoring, partnership and engagement with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and community stakeholders across Ohio.

Requirements

Earned doctorate or other terminal degree along with equivalent experience in Urban Forestry, Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated expertise in urban forestry, community forestry, arboriculture, natural resource management, green infrastructure, or a related field through professional practice, academic training, teaching, Extension, outreach, scholarship, or other relevant activities.
Evidence of excellence, or strong potential for excellence, in teaching, mentoring, and advising students.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse academic, professional, governmental, industry, and community partners.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

ISA Certified Arborist and/or other relevant professional credentials.
Experience developing partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and community stakeholders.
Experience designing, implementing, or supporting experiential, workforce-oriented, community-engaged educational programs and/or Extension programming.
Experience applying GIS, remote sensing, inventory methods, LiDAR, or other technologies to support urban forest planning, assessment, and management.

Responsibilities

Teach approximately three courses per academic year, including two new courses (Arboriculture and Tree Health Care, and Urban Forestry Practice and Planning) and one existing course based on programmatic needs and candidate expertise.
Develop innovative, experiential, and field-based learning opportunities that connect students with urban forestry professionals, organizations, and communities.
Integrate contemporary tools and technologies appropriate to professional practice, including urban forest inventories, GIS, canopy assessment, and related decision-support approaches into courses.
Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in urban forestry and related environmental and natural resource professions.
Support student internships, capstone projects, professional certifications, and career placement activities.
Develop and deliver a coordinated extension and outreach program in urban forestry that addresses the needs of public agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and community stakeholders across Ohio.
Collaborate with Extension professionals within SENR, across CFAES, and throughout OSU Extension.
Conduct educational programming, technical assistance, professional training, workshops, and stakeholder engagement.
Provide service to SENR, CFAES, and Ohio State through participation in committees, faculty governance activities, and related service contributions.
Engage in professional service through relevant professional societies, certification programs, and urban forestry organizations.