Director of Extension Fire Program and Assistant/Associate Professor (Extension Specialist)

Oregon State University; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

Retirement savings contribution

Generous paid leave package

Tuition reduction benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Oregon State University is seeking a full-time Director of Extension Forest Program & Assistant/Associate Professor, committed to leading education and outreach efforts in fire resilience and ecology. This position involves collaborating with diverse stakeholders and conducting research on wildland fire science.

The ideal candidate holds a doctoral degree in a relevant field and brings experience in program leadership, funding acquisition, and community engagement.

The role includes developing innovative educational programs, managing staff, and fostering partnerships to deepen program impact.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in providing informal education regarding wildland fire.
• Proven ability to lead teams effectively through collaborative decision-making.
• Experience securing external funding and managing a budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of research-based education programs on fire resilience.
• Supervise program faculty and support staff with guidance.
• Build and maintain partnerships with various organizations.
• Conduct applied research on wildland fire science to support resilience.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Research capability

Funding acquisition

Education

Doctoral degree in natural resources management or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) and Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full‑time (1.00 FTE), 12‑month, combination position as Director of Extension Forest Program & Assistant/Associate Professor: Extension Specialist, reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas. The Director of Extension Fire Program position is a part‑time (0.50 FTE) 12‑month professional faculty position and the Assistant/Associate Professor position is a part‑time (0.50 FTE), 12‑month, tenure/tenure‑track academic faculty position with an academic home in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

Director Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research‑based education and outreach programs that align with the team’s mission of fire resilience, a culture of adaptation, and fire‑adapted ecosystems.
• Supervise and support program faculty and staff, providing guidance on program planning, delivery, and evaluation while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing team environment.
• Work across Extension, university units, and external partners to identify emerging issues, integrate current fire science into programming, and ensure alignment with stakeholder and community needs.
• Build and maintain partnerships with state, tribal, and federal agencies; non‑governmental organizations; and other relevant groups to enhance program reach and impact.
• Serve as a key representative of the program at state, regional, and national levels, contributing leadership, expertise, and coordination in advancing wildfire policy, preparedness, and resilience efforts.

Extension Specialist Responsibilities

• Address wildland fire science issues in forests, rangelands, and other ecosystems in Oregon to support wildfire resilience and foster fire‑adapted cultures and ecosystems.
• Understand stakeholder needs and assets to develop and deliver tailored educational opportunities, providing technical assistance to support collaborative, landscape‑scale wildfire resilience and adaptation efforts.
• Conduct applied research in wildland fire science to support wildfire resilience, a culture of adaptation, and fire‑adapted ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, securing external funding and publishing and presenting research results.
• Use modern learning tools, engage scholarship, promote interdisciplinary programs that are demand‑driven, and use open‑source tools to align with innovation in educational program delivery.
• Communicate effectively with staff and key stakeholders to ensure the success of the position.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for assigned staff, including hiring, training, performance reviews, and mentorship.
• Promote professional development opportunities for staff and maintain a personal development plan, including training, conferences, workshops, and web‑based learning.
• Establish, manage, and maintain internal and external partnerships with faculty, units, land and fire managers, NGOs, practitioner networks, and academic institutions.
• Manage an advisory committee comprised of representatives from partner entities.
• Collaborate with team members, partners, and community leaders to identify education and engagement needs and priorities related to fire resilience and adaptation.
• Participate at the state and national level in promoting the FNR Extension Fire Program and sharing program progress.
• Track trends, initiatives, and developments in wildland fire science and community engagement in the context of wildfire resilience and adaptation.
• Secure and manage external funding to support programmatic growth and expand statewide impact.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the program and in the broader field of wildfire resilience and adaptation.
• Coordinate with the Fire Program Manager to facilitate collective planning, implementation, and assessment of educational outreach programs.
• Provide oversight of the fire program budget.
• Assess needs of target audiences and use results to focus program development efforts.
• Lead and assist in development of educational materials, including publications, magazines, newsletters, social media, videos, and peer‑reviewed articles.
• Provide technical assistance, capacity building, and analytical services to collaborations and partnerships related to wildfire resilience and adaptation.
• Conduct applied research on wildland fire science issues in forests, rangelands, and other ecosystems in Oregon in the context of supporting wildfire resilience and adaptation.
• Seek, secure, and manage contract and grant funding to support research.
• Publish research results in appropriate outlets, including peer‑reviewed and technically‑refereed articles.
• Prepare and deliver scientific and technical presentations at conferences and symposia.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and serve on graduate committees.
• Participate with local, state, and federal resource agencies and NGOs on emergency services and natural resource management advisory councils and committees.
• Serve on Department, College, and University committees.
• Represent the wildfire resilience discipline within the University.
• Serve as peer reviewer for relevant journals and other scientific outlets.
• Participate in professional and scientific organizations.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in natural resources management, social sciences, or another related field.
• Demonstrated experience providing informal education regarding wildland fire.
• Proven ability to lead teams effectively through collaborative decision‑making and respectful engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and communities, natural resource professionals, wildland fire managers, Tribal Nations, industry representatives, agency personnel, students, private landowners, and the general public.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Experience securing external funding through grants, contracts, or partnerships and managing a budget.
• Commitment to creating respectful, safe, and inclusive work and learning environments, including active efforts to engage historically marginalized or underserved communities.

For individuals seeking the rank of Associate Professor, candidates should have a significant record of scholarly achievement that merits appointment as tenured faculty in the College of Forestry, meeting OSU teaching, advising, research, and service criteria for appointment at the desired rank.

Background and security requirements: This position is designated as a critical or security‑sensitive position. The incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined position qualified as per University Standard. The incumbent must also successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, and self‑report convictions as per University Policy.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of Oregon ecosystems, natural resources, and wildland fire issues and needs.
• Experience supervising a team with diverse skills, interests, and work styles while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing team environment.
• Experience participating in multi‑stakeholder collaboratives pertaining to natural resources.
• Experience developing and delivering educational programs to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.
• Demonstrated capacity to produce scholarly outputs, including peer‑reviewed publications, Extension materials, or professional presentations.
• Track record of securing external funding through grants, contracts, or partnerships and managing a budget.
• Ability to communicate effectively with media representatives and respond to public inquiries or concerns.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to lead strategic planning efforts, set short and long‑range goals and objectives, manage time, work under pressure, and manage multiple projects effectively.

Working Conditions and Work Schedule

Work hours are generally 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. from Monday through Friday, though some weekday nights and weekends will be required. Travel throughout the state will be required. Work is performed indoors in a professional office environment that includes operation of standard office equipment. Work can be conducted remotely, as agreed upon by employee and supervisor.

Physical requirements: The work requires the ability to talk, listen, observe, stoop, reach, sit, stand, and use repetitive motions. The visual capacity to review and edit documents, and the ability to frequently remain in a stationary position, operate a computer and other standard office equipment, and converse by telephone and in person is required. Driving required for travel.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work‑Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check.