Forestry Extension and Research Specialist - Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

13d

About The Position

The Forestry Extension and Research Specialist provides leadership, outreach, technical guidance, and educational programming in urban and community forestry. The role includes undergraduate instruction in dendrology and potentially other forestry courses, as well as applied research that addresses forestry needs in Illinois. The specialist develops and evaluates an innovative Extension program, provides need-based education and technical guidance, coordinates forestry events, creates educational materials, and maintains Extension Forestry websites and social media. The position also serves as a technical advisor to forestry or conservation organizations and collaborates with university, government, and nonprofit partners. The research component includes obtaining funding, leading urban and community forestry research, managing research at the University of Illinois Experimental Forest, supervising student interns, and contributing to interdisciplinary research. The position is a full-time, 12-month Academic Professional appointment reporting to the department head. The proposed start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range is $72,000–$76,000.

Requirements

Master's degree in forest science or a closely aligned ecological or natural resource discipline.
Expertise in urban and community forestry.
Working knowledge of urban and community forestry needs.
Competency in identifying native trees of Illinois.
Competency in delivering public presentations and developing educational materials.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in forest science or a closely aligned ecological or natural resource discipline.
Academic or employment history demonstrating independence and superior organizational skills.
Experience writing successful grant proposals for applied research and outreach.
Background in community engagement and outreach.
Teaching experience.
Illinois pesticide applicator’s license, or ability to acquire one shortly after hiring.
Advanced chainsaw training.
Certified arborist credentials.
Competency using evolving forestry technologies such as remote sensing, GIS applications, and UAVs.

Responsibilities

Develop and evaluate an innovative Extension program focused on urban and community forestry.
Provide need-based outreach, education, training, programming, and technical guidance to primary constituents.
Coordinate or co-coordinate forestry-related conferences, symposia, workshops, trainings, and field days.
Author or co-author technical bulletins, educational videos, and articles.
Develop and maintain Extension Forestry websites, including the Big Tree Register, and social media accounts.
Collaborate with Extension forestry colleagues and teams in Natural Resources, Environment, Energy, and Horticulture.
Serve as a technical advisor to one or more forestry or conservation-related state organizations.
Collaborate with forestry, conservation, government, university, and nonprofit partners.
Obtain funding and lead research in urban and community forestry.
Manage and conduct research at the University of Illinois Experimental Forest, including supervising student interns.
Contribute to collaborative interdisciplinary research at the University of Illinois.
Teach a Dendrology course every other year.
Potentially teach or co-teach a forestry-related field course.