Extension Field Specialist, Urban Forestry and Ecology
Job Description
Operating Title
Extension Field Specialist, Urban Forestry and EcologyCampus Location
DurhamDepartment
UNH Cooperative Extension Natural ResourcesSummary of Position
This position will work in conjunction with other Extension staff and partners to strengthen and support urban forestry and urban ecology programming with an emphasis on training, supporting and working with volunteers, especially in underserved urban areas (as identified by groups such as the Council on Environmental Quality and American Forests). The field specialist will be part of a collaborative team focused on urban and community forestry with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, other Extension natural resources staff, and conservation organizations working in urban areas. The field specialist will contribute data and metrics to Extension natural resources and volunteer program action plans and will support the state urban and community forestry program in collecting data and metrics on community trees and forests, especially those associated with volunteer action.
Posting Number
PS4363FY24Other minimum qualifications
- Master’s degree in appropriate discipline. One degree must be in forestry, ecology, wildlife, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. A strong candidate with a bachelor’s degree in forestry, wildlife, urban ecology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution with 3 years of relevant experience may be considered if willing to obtain a master’s degree within 7 years of hire.
- Extension (or related) education, outreach and/or related programming experience in urban and/or urbanizing environments.
- Experience recruiting, training and managing volunteers.
- Demonstrated competency in urban forestry and/or urban ecology and related resources.
- Hold arborist certification or be able to obtain within 2 years of hire (e.g., N.H. Arborists Association, equivalent state arborist accreditation, or International Society of Arboriculture)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers and people with a variety of values and interests and of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, income, and education levels.
- Demonstrated competency with computers and current technology.
- Willingness to participate in professional development activities to add and enhance knowledge.
- Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle and willingness and ability to work some nights and weekends for programs, volunteer projects and events, and meetings as well as accomplish year-round field work. Mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
- At least 3 years of experience in extension or related urban outreach, invasive species management, urban forestry, arboriculture, watershed management, forest management, urban wildlife management, or ecology research focused on urban or urbanizing systems.
- Experience using social media to promote events and programming.
- Experience in hybrid and/or online course development and instruction.
- Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
- Experience with citizen science research approaches and applications such as iNaturalist, iTree, Litterati, etc.
Salary Information
Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/59129Percent Time Information (FTE)
1.0EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Institution Information
Posting Date
01/26/2024Open Until Filled
YesPosting Open to Internal Candidates Only?
NoInterested Internal Candidates Exist?
NoAppointment Type
Grant FundedDrivers License and Physical Requirements. Please check all items that apply.
Valid Drivers License and Safe Driving RecordDuty/Responsibility
- Plan, develop, implement and evaluate innovative educational and volunteer programs focused on urban forestry and ecology, with the support of a team of Extension state and field specialists and external partners.
- Involve the County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, N.H. Division of Forests and Lands Urban and Community Forestry staff, and local agencies and organizations in educational needs assessment and program development.
- Serve as a representative of UNH on the N.H. Community Forestry Advisory Council.
- Cooperate with colleagues to support, develop, implement and report disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs that benefit the urban and urbanizing areas of the state.
- Develop and strengthen urban forestry and ecology educational programming, volunteer action and training with, for, and in underserved urban areas (as identified by the Council on Environmental Quality and American Forests) and consider racial justice, equity, climate change mitigation and adaptation and workforce training in such programming.
- Serve on internal committees and external boards at the local, state or national level as appropriate to the position’s plan of work.
- Prepare appropriate reports required by UNH Cooperative Extension, county government, partners and funders.
- Participate and contribute to Extension’s Volunteer Management Team, including collaboration among volunteer programs in Extension.
- Perform other responsibilities to meet the needs of volunteers, County Extension Advisory Council, funders and key partners such as the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands and USDA Forest Service.
- Ensure programmatic involvement of underserved and underrepresented audiences and ensure that all educational programming is designed and conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.
Duty/Responsibility
- Recruit, support and collaborate with a wide variety of community leaders and natural resource program volunteers including Natural Resources Stewards, N.H. Big Tree volunteers, Coverts Cooperators, Master Gardeners and Nature Groupie.
- Strengthen the value that urban residents and communities place on trees, forests, and forestry. Promote public awareness of the benefits and values of trees, urban forests, and urban ecosystems for stormwater management, reduced energy use, noise abatement, improved air quality, cooling, and atmospheric carbon sequestration through volunteer projects, mass media, social networking, computer technology, citizen science, and demonstration areas on community, public or partner-managed lands.
- Advance the use of tree and forest inventories, monitoring and assessment tools in urban areas.
- Develop partnerships with local and state agencies and organizations.
- Strive for productive relationships with elected and appointed officials.
- Engage the County Extension Advisory Council members in aspects of the urban forestry and ecology programs by keeping council members well informed and seeking guidance from the council regarding meeting the needs of people in Hillsborough County and other urban parts of the state.
- Build and maintain relationships with UNH faculty in relevant disciplines.
Duty/Responsibility
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal verbal and written skills, especially associated with volunteer engagement.
- Make effective and innovative use of media and computer technologies in educational program development and delivery and in disseminating information to the public.
- Demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.
- Build productive working relationships with Extension colleagues in N.H. and other states.
- Maintain regular communication with the program team leader and area of expertise chair (an appointed Extension colleague who leads the field specialist’s work team). Keep them fully apprised of urban forestry and ecology issues, programs, needs and accomplishments, and involve them in programs to address these needs as appropriate.
- Develop and implement county, regional and statewide marketing strategies to promote UNH Extension and its educational/outreach/technical assistance programs in accordance with good public relations and the organization’s established marketing policies.
Duty/Responsibility
- In consultation with the program team leader and in accordance with UNH and Cooperative Extension external funding guidelines, seek external funds and/or cost recovery to sustain and enhance programs and achieve educational goals.
- Participate in grant-funded projects with Extension and other UNH and cooperator colleagues as appropriate and as approved by the program team leader.
- Utilize sound management strategies with county and state funding to enhance delivery of effective programs and assist communities, volunteers and constituents.
Duty/Responsibility
- Serve as the UNH Cooperative Extension county office administrator (COA) when the need is identified and as advised by the program team leader and Extension administration. Work with state partners and other Extension natural resources staff to ensure programmatic needs of the N.H. Urban and Community Forestry program are fully met during the period of COA service. The COA is responsible for facility and equipment management, office budget management and supervision of administrative assistants, interns and other part-time or temporary employees. COA job responsibilities usually account for 20% of the employee’s time.
- When another colleague is serving as COA, support that person in the performance of their duties and carry out appropriately delegated responsibilities.
- Serve in Extension organizational leadership or committee roles.
- Welcome new Extension staff and engage in their success.
- Serve in a mentor capacity as needed and where appropriate.
- Provide input into the evaluation of co-workers.
Duty/Responsibility
- Develop and implement a professional development plan to maintain and enhance competence in appropriate subject areas and professional skills such as program design and evaluation, leadership, teamwork, group process, and facilitation.
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