Job Details

Working/Functional Title

Forestry and Natural Resources Educator

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in forestry. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across work teams, institutes, and community groups, working with faculty, specialists, and educators for overall advancement of the needs of the Institute clientele.

In this position, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to sustainable forest conservation and management. Through your leadership, you will design and implement programs that address the emerging and evolving nature of initiatives that support small forest owners. You will also provide guidance to forest landowners on how they may access timber markets that demonstrate sustainable management through various certification systems, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), American Tree Farm System, and the Family Forest Carbon Program. You will also interpret how these programs potentially complement or contrast with existing/conventional tax reduction or cost share initiatives among forest owners.

Through collaboration in research, engagement with community members, and dissemination of research-based information through various methods, including in-person and multimedia programming and written communications, you will explore and implement programs that lead to public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that promote forest and ecosystem health through forest owners’ access to market-driven forest conservation initiatives. You will also develop, produce, and deliver a wide range of forestry related outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with efforts from state agencies, related organizations, and the Community, Food and Environment Institute messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Forest Resources Division, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Tribal governments, MSU Departments of Forestry and Fisheries and Wildlife, Northern Institute for Applied Climate Science (NIACS), Michigan Forest Products Council, Michigan Forest Association, and Michigan Tree Farm. You will collaborate with MSUE Natural Resource Educators and Specialists to devise messages that complement existing programs. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for Michigan’s private forest owners, including smaller nonindustrial private forest (NPIF) owners by articulating options for sustainable and economically viable timber and non-timber products, as well as the benefits healthy forests provide for water quality, wildlife, and recreation.

Primary office location for this position will be negotiable among three locations: the Alger County MSU Extension Office (Munising), MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (Chatham), and the MSU Forestry Innovation Center (Escanaba).

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate innovative educational programs that meet current and projected statewide needs, and supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing people in Michigan.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and the CFEI.
• Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate current and timely information, research results, and relevant industry updates, as well as a schedule of current and future activities.
• Collaborate with MSU Extension staff to gather and report programming outputs and impacts, to demonstrate program effectiveness and to guide future program priorities for MSU Extension, the CFEI and work teams. 
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching diverse populations, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status, socio-economic class, and other human differences.
• Author, produce and submit regular research-based educational materials and articles.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Institute Director.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -forest management, forest economics, for

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from a Society of American Foresters accredited institution in a field of study related to forest management, forest economics, forest/wildland ecology, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and economic diversity of the target population served.
• Ability to create and carryout a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work and educational program delivery, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-years’ experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5-years, preferred).
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in successful contract and grant writing, including securing and managing grant funds and resources.

Required Application Materials

Current resume/CV.

Cover letter.

Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.

Together-we-will Statement

Special Instructions

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Website

https://youtu.be/8KBMarSqHos

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.