Assistant/Associate Extension Professor & Assistant/Associate Professor of Small Woodlot Management

University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension and the School of Forest Resources are seeking applications for the position of Assistant/Associate Extension Professor and Assistant/Associate Professor of Small Woodlot Management. This is a full-time, fiscal year, non-continuing contract faculty position contingent upon funding and successful job performance. This faculty position will increase education and support for small woodland owners on issues related to sustainable woodlot management, wood products marketing and processing, estate planning and land transfer, conservation agreements, forest health, wildlife habitat, and other important issues affecting small woodlot owners in southern and coastal Maine.

The University of Maine

Deadline: 2010/06/30

Title: Extension Specialist in Small Woodlot Management

Rank: Assistant or Associate Extension Professor, and Assistant or Associate Professor of Small Woodlot Management

Dept: Cooperative Extension 60%, School of Forest Resources 40% (20% research & 20% teaching)

Reports To: Associate Director for Extension and Director of the School of Forest Resources

Position Type: Full-time, fiscal year, non-continuing contract faculty position contingent upon funding and successful job performance

Purpose:

Maine is the most forested state in the US (89% by area). More than a quarter of Maine’s 17 million acre forest is owned by 120,000 small landowners, most of whom are located in southern and coastal Maine. These small woodlots provide not only a key portion of the state’s wood supply and ecosystem services, but are a vital part of Maine’s identity as a state. Two-thirds of these landowners are currently age 55 or older, so most of these small woodlots will change hands over the next two decades. The future of these forestlands will rely on small woodlot owners understanding how sound forest stewardship and estate planning are key parts of their forest enterprise. In addition, the ability of these woodlot owners to understand markets for the diversity of products produced from their forest will allow them to maximize return on their forestland investment.

The faculty member in this position will provide leadership for Cooperative Extension’s forest stewardship education with an emphasis on issues affecting the ownership, management, and sustainability of small woodlots in southern and coastal Maine. The faculty member will, in partnership with county and campus-based Extension staff, UMaine faculty, and other organizations (e.g., Maine Forest Service, SWOAM, USFS) develop and assist with educational programs focused on sustainable woodlot management, wood products marketing and processing, estate planning and land transfer, conservation land agreements, forest health (including invasive species), wildlife habitat, and other important issues affecting small woodlot owners in Maine. The successful applicant will promote the involvement of professional foresters in small woodlot management, and lead professional development and training offerings for landowners and professional foresters. A key part of this position will be developing applied research projects that address the stewardship and sustainability of small woodlots in southern and coastal Maine. The person in this position also will teach courses on small woodlot management as a member of the School of Forest Resources faculty.

Essential Functions:

Extension (60%):

Design, implement, evaluate, and communicate to clients a Plan of Work that aligns with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension mission and addresses the above needs for small woodlot owners in Maine.
Work in partnership with the Extension faculty and staff, as well as county and campus-based colleagues and statewide partners to:
Develop and conduct educational programs for small woodland owners, professional foresters, and others on key issues affecting to small woodlot management and estate planning
Serve as a resource for timely and relevant forest management information for faculty, professional and classified staff within Cooperative Extension, statewide agency professionals and professional foresters
Work as part of a team with external agencies and organizations to address multi-county, state, multi-state and national issues related to small woodlot management.
Provide technical support to Cooperative Extension staff (Publications Catalog and website) on small woodlot management.
Develop and sustain a professional development plan in support of one’s Plan of Work.
Contribute to University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s overall marketing initiatives as part of one’s Plan of Work.
Ensure compliance with civil rights, affirmative action, and equal opportunity.

Research (20%):

In collaboration with School of Forest Resources faculty, Cooperative Extension staff, and small woodland owners in Maine, develop applied research projects within the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests (CRSF) that address key issues and challenges affecting small woodlot management, stewardship, and sustainability in southern and coastal Maine.
Lead and participate in developing proposals for extramural funding to support applied research projects
Publish research results in refereed journals and other appropriate outlets.
Present research results and other scholarly work at scientific conferences, workshops, professional organizations, public meetings, and other appropriate venues.
Serve as an Advisor to graduate students in their thesis research within the School of Forest Resources.

Teaching (20%):

Teach one three-credit course on small woodlot management annually and one upper-division course in their field of expertise at least every other year within the School of Forest Resources.
Sever as an Advisor to undergraduate students.

Other Duties:

Hire, orient and supervise professionals, classified, and/or student employees as appropriate, including conducting or participating in required performance evaluations, and providing safety and environmental management oversight.
Other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required:

Earned Doctorate degree in forest resources or closely related field.
Expertise in small woodlot management as evidenced by research, coursework, teaching, and/or professional experience.
Knowledge about estate planning, forest taxation, conservation easements as evidenced by coursework and/or professional experience.
Knowledge and experience with wood markets, procurement, and processing related to the needs of small woodland owners as evidenced by coursework and/or professional experience.
Demonstrated ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programs.
Successful applied research experience in forestry or closely related field as demonstrated by publication and extramural funding.
Ability to communicate effectively using oral, written and electronic media.
Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and independently; must be self-motivated and directed with the ability to achieve goals and manage multiple tasks in an autonomous work environment.
Demonstrated computer and educational technology skills.
Ability to travel, usually requiring a valid driver’s license, both in- and out-of-state, with reimbursement at the contract rate.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, depending upon the needs of clients.
Eligible to accept employment in the United States at the time the appointment is made.

Qualifications Preferred (but not required):

Experience with Extension educational program development, delivery and evaluation.
Experience working directly with small woodlot owners and management.
Experience with estate planning, forest taxation, and conservation easements.
Expertise as demonstrated by coursework and/or research experience with forest management planning software, stand simulation models, and GIS.
Knowledge of or experience in grant writing.
Demonstrated experience working with diverse audiences and knowledge of equal opportunity, affirmative action and civil rights policies.
Demonstrated successful supervisory experience.

Work Environment:

The position will be housed in Nutting Hall on the Orono campus of the University of Maine. Cooperative Extension office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Computer hardware, software and technical support are provided.

Work Schedule:

This position requires a flexible schedule to meet the expectations of the position. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

Work Year: The Extension Forest Management Specialist is a full-time, non-continuing contract/tenure fiscal year, faculty position contingent upon funding and successful job performance.

Performance Evaluation Schedule: The employee’s supervisor will conduct performance evaluations in accordance with the University of Maine System (UMS) and the Associated Faculties of the UMS (AFUM) collective bargaining agreement. An annual Plan of Work serves as the framework for performance evaluation with flexibility for change, for example, unanticipated audience needs.

Salary range: $52,750 - $61,000 commensurate with training, demonstrated abilities, and benefits.

Start Date: September 1, 2010

The finalist for this position must successfully complete appropriate background checks.

The University of Maine is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workplace.

For more information, visit: http://jobs.umaine.edu