Deadline: Sat, 08/27/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: North Carolina State University, Extension Forestry Job Field: Forestry Other Job Type: Full Time Location: North Carolina Location Detail: Raleigh, NC Job Description: Essential Job Duties The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University is seeking an effective and dynamic educator to fill the Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science position. This is a full time, 1.0 FTE, 12-month professional staff position within the department’s 10-person Extension Forestry team of 4 faculty and 6 professional staff. The Department’s Extension team works collectively with faculty and staff in tourism and wood products to form the overall Extension program in the College of Natural Resources. The position is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, but requires travel throughout North Carolina. The Extension Associate will provide leadership for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming and materials with an emphasis on prescribed fire and fire science. In addition, the Associate will build collaborative partnerships with a variety of stakeholders including county Extension personnel, landowners, state and federal agencies, non-government organizations, natural resource professionals and others to increase the visibility and reach of Extension Forestry. They will be responsible for developing and delivering educational programming to diverse audiences, including stakeholders from diverse socio-demographic groups and with varied background knowledge of forest management. The Associate will work with researchers within the College of Natural Resources, across the university, and other agencies to interpret and disseminate current research findings consistent with the philosophy, policy, and overall educational objectives of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and NC State University. Educational information and program delivery will be in cooperation with the 101 Extension Centers throughout North Carolina, current Extension Forestry team members, statewide partners and stakeholders, and should use a variety of delivery strategies appropriate for the target audience. Strategies could include workshops, short-courses, demonstration projects, webinars, podcasts, publications, fact-sheets, mass media, and social media. The Extension associate will report to the Associate Dean of Extension, Department Extension Leader in the College of Natural Resources. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Assist in conducting coordination, implementation, and education and outreach components of the SERPPAS Comprehensive Strategy for Prescribed Fire in the Southeast U.S. Assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating fire science delivery programs for the multi-institution Southern Fire Exchange (SFE) program as part of the nationwide Joint Fire Science Program Fire Science Exchange Network. Understand and connect with the actors and organizations engaged in wildland fire, prescribed fire, and fire science in the southeastern U.S. and deliver SFE programs that support their fire science information needs. Serve as the primary editor of the monthly Driptorch Digest newsletter and support development of the bimonthly SFE Fire Lines newsletter. Provide leadership and work collaboratively in data management and reporting in support of SERPPAS and SFE programs. Maintain existing and develop new programs in cooperation with pertinent agencies and organizations in support of wildland fire in the Southeast. Conduct all aspects of virtual and in-person education/outreach events including planning, marketing, event logistics, education, and program evaluation. Maintain and update program digital platforms such as WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, and other means of online communication to provide wildland fire outreach. Create marketing, outreach, education, and training materials such as flyers, brochures, fact sheets, publications, or journal articles. Develop scopes of work and program budgets, and track expenditures on all grants. Participate in weekly team meetings (virtual and in person), and join other meetings and calls as needed. Travel as needed, possibly up to 20% of time. Additional duties as needed. Qualifications: Minimum Education and Experience A bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience required, or a Master’s degree (preferred), in forestry, fire science and ecology, natural resources, agricultural extension education, science communication, risk communication, public engagement, or other related fields. Other Required Qualifications Strong oral and written communication skills, including effective use of electronic and printed media Excellent time and resource management skills Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and set priorities Basic knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs Proficiency in basic office software (e.g., Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc. or related applications) Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multitask, set priorities, seek opportunities, manage resources, and exhibit success Evidence of the commitment to uphold and promote NC Cooperative Extension’s commitment to diversity and the College of Natural Resources values of Equity and Inclusion, Community, Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability Obtain and maintain valid North Carolina driver’s license; willingness to drive extended distances statewide Ability to apply professional scheduling including the delivery of evening and weekend educational programs and activities as determined by programming and collaborator needs Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated ability to secure external funding in support of the land grant mission Knowledge and experience planning, conducting, and evaluating participatory Extension or non-formal education programs Willingness/ability to learn new skills, tools, techniques, software, and approaches Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific findings for a less technical audience Experience in data collection and management, website editing (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix) and using ArcGIS Proficiency in social media program management (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) Ability to achieve and maintain an NWCG Firefighter Type 2 qualification Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, work, teach and interact with diverse populations, including stakeholders from diverse socio-demographic groups and with varied background knowledge of forest and fire management Knowledge and experience related to wildland fire, prescribed fire and southeastern U.S. natural resource management. Knowledge of the Land Grant Mission and the role of Extension Demonstrated ability to teach effectively in non-formal settings, including but not limited to field days, demonstrations, workshops, and public events Required License(s) or Certification(s) Valid NC driver’s License is required. Miscellaneous: N/A Salary: $45,000 - $52,000 Benefits: N/A How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, contact information for professional references, and a one-page (maximum) statement of Extension experience and philosophy (uploaded as other Document 1) Applicant may also include an optional copy of transcripts. Please submit a resume, cover letter, contact information for professional references, and a one-page (maximum) statement of Extension experience and philosophy (uploaded as other Document 1) https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/165812
