Deadline: Mon, 03/27/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: Oregon State University Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: Oregon Location Detail: Corvallis, Oregon Job Description: The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management (FERM) in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track assistant professor or tenured associate professor of family forestry. This position is designed to develop and lead an integrated program of research, teaching, and extension that focuses on the role of family forestry (i.e., small-scale, nonindustrial private forestry) in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with primary emphasis on Oregon. FERM’s mission is to develop, communicate, and teach the science and engineering necessary for sustainable management of forest, land, and water resources to achieve economic, environmental, and social objectives. FERM is a unique group of specialists in forest management, engineering, biometrics, hydrology, forest health, silviculture, and extension whose goals are to pursue new ideas and knowledge that support the sustainable management of forests. Therefore, FERM’s teaching and research emphasize all aspects of active forest management. This position will help FERM to become a leader of research on small-scale, nonindustrial private forests; serve as a model of interdisciplinary, integrated research, teaching, and extension (both public education and outreach); and build a substantive, coherent body of knowledge on the biophysical and social dimensions of small-scale forest resource management and policy. This position, funded in part by an endowment from the Starker Family, will focus on generating and disseminating knowledge, teaching university students, and helping private forest owners achieve their varied management objectives. The incumbent will coordinate research and educational programs on the Elizabeth Starker Cameron Demonstration Forest and further develop it into a premier teaching and research forest that demonstrates sound forestry principles applicable to private forests throughout the Pacific Northwest. The incumbent will work closely with the OSU Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Extension team, which provides informal education on forestry and natural resources to diverse community audiences. The largest program of its kind in the country, FNR is a network of county agents, wildfire specialists, and other experts. Its programs provide practical, locally relevant, science-based information that improves livelihoods and the environment. Working with the FNR team will give the Starker Chair additional opportunities for independent work and ongoing collaborations. The incumbent will complement and enhance FERM’s reputation for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, and extension. As a member of the College of Forestry faculty, the incumbent will deliver quality instruction and help to maintain accreditation by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for FERM’s undergraduate degree programs. The incumbent’s research will contribute to the department’s focus on sustainable forest management. In addition to startup funding, financial resources are available from the Starker Cameron Forest fund to support graduate student recruitment and research. We seek a colleague who has a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, education, and outreach. OSU is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer, and especially encourages applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of inclusive excellence. OSU is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors, and employees. Faculty members in the College of Forestry design, develop, maintain, or carry out extension programs that serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized. For more information on our commitment to inclusive excellence, see https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together. Position Duties Oregon State University is committed to maintaining and enhancing its collaborative and inclusive community. As an OSU faculty member, the incumbent is responsible for helping to achieve these goals throughout all aspects of their work. 50% Research • Develop a research program addressing the intersection of ecological and social dimensions of small-scale, nonindustrial private forests in support of the Sustainable Forest Management program. Potential research areas include financial modeling and decision support systems for small-scale forest owners, marketing non-wood products and services (beyond timber sales), social benefits to rural communities, the role and effectiveness of collaboratives and cooperatives, small-scale silvicultural systems, and forest certification. • Maintain an externally funded research program to support 2-4 graduate students per year. • Synthesize and communicate original research results to scientific audiences and private forest landowner communities through outlets including refereed journals, scientific and professional meetings, and small woodland owner events. 25% Outreach/Extension • Provide leadership for the Elizabeth Starker Cameron Demonstration Forest, a 270-acre forest close to Oregon State University’s Corvallis campus that is devoted to educational programs and demonstrations for small private forest owners. Lead the development of a long-range management plan, coordinate management activities with research forest staff, undertake education and demonstration activities with other forestry faculty and leaders of the small woodland owners’ community, and manage harvest proceeds. • Assess the need for and then design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs and services for small-scale forest owners, such as classes, workshops, short courses, seminars, field tours, demonstrations, webinars, and web-based instructional modules, that are focused on forest and natural resource topics that meet the needs of the target audiences. Publish outreach evaluations in a variety of formats, including peer-refereed journals, local or regional publications, and book chapters. 15% Teaching and Mentoring • Teach one course in the FERM forestry curriculum and lead the annual Starker Lecture Series (1-credit seminar). Oregon State University operates on the quarter system with three 10-week academic terms plus summer sessions. • Serve as the graduate committee chair (primary advisor) of 2-4 students per year. 10% Service • Serve on department, college, and university committees as assigned. • Participate in professional, scientific, and landowner organizations, such as the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and Oregon Tree Farm System. • Serve on scientific review panels and as an external reviewer for refereed scientific journals. Qualifications: Minimum/Required Qualifications • PhD by date of hire in forestry, natural resource management, or a related field. • Demonstrated or substantial potential for research in the social or biophysical dimensions of small-scale forest management. • Demonstrated ability or substantial potential to secure extramural grants for research. • Strong written and oral communication skills. • Evidence of, or substantial potential for, successful collaboration with a broad spectrum of small landowners. • Experience in, or demonstrable commitment to, promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Preferred Qualifications • Research productivity in the social or biophysical dimensions of small-scale, nonindustrial forest management. • Field experience in some form of forestry or natural resources management. • Experience in the development and delivery of university-level teaching, outreach, or extension. • Experience participating in multiple-stakeholder community groups. How to Apply: To view the posting and apply, go to https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/ and search for posting #P06489UF or visit https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/132432. For full consideration, apply by March 13, 2023. Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2023. For additional information please contact Dr. John Sessions John.Sessions@oregonstate.edu. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled employer
