Associate Dean for Science Outreach and Program Leader for Forestry and Natural Resources Extension

Position Summary

The College of Forestry Administration is seeking a Associate Dean for Science Outreach and Program Leader for Forestry and Natural Resources Extension.

This is a full-time 1.00 FTE, 12-month, tenured administrator professional faculty position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Dean.

This member of the senior leadership team in the College of Forestry is responsible for leading, administering, and growing innovative and relevant Extension, science outreach, and continuing and professional education programs that foster and solidify the College’s standing as a leading academic institution.

This position is charged with providing executive and policy leadership for oversight of College forests and will guide and support Extension and outreach efforts to address a changing environment and contemporary needs.

The Associate Dean will work in a close team environment demanding flexible, daily engagement in multiple activities while also being accountable for progress on priorities that require cooperation and collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

The Associate Dean will coordinate efforts to continuously integrate science into outreach and Extension.

This senior leader will share responsibility with all members of the College in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place of work and study, including in our outreach activities and Extension programming.

Position Duties

65% Program leader for Forestry and Natural Resources Extension :

Administrative oversight and support to drive excellence of forestry-related outreach, Extension, and continuing and professional education programs, including but not limited to :

Supervision / personnel / organization leadership :

oIn combination with Extension Regional Directors, Department Heads, and the Dean of the College, contribute to decisions regarding employment, support, and evaluation of Extension faculty.

oMaintain an administrative structure that assures prompt and effective information sharing among Extension faculty, College and Oregon State University Extension Service (OSUES) administrators, and college and county-based faculty.

Strategy, planning and evaluation for science outreach and Extension :

oFormulate, present, and coordinate execution of strategic initiatives driving excellence in science outreach, Extension, and continuing and professional education programs and services.

oProvide vision for and management of Continuing and Professional Education to ensure relevant and self-sustaining programming.

oEstablish metrics and benchmarks aimed at driving performance in science outreach and Extension programs in support of relevant College priorities, and conduct structured evaluation of program effectiveness and innovation.

oEnsure robust and transparent coordination and alignment of key program and performance priorities between the Dean of the College of Forestry, the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement and Director of the Extension Service, and the Associate Director of the Extension Service.

Extension Program Leader :

oProvide leadership and oversight for Extension and Outreach programs such as the Wildland Fire Extension Program, Oregon Natural Resources Education Program, Master Woodland Manager Program, Women Owning Woodlands Network, Master Naturalist Program, Northwest Fire Science Consortium, and others.

oLead collaborative development of innovative and relevant Extension initiatives that enhance the academic relevance, growth, and reputation of the College of Forestry and the FNR Extension team.

oDevelop and deliver Extension initiatives that diversify the portfolio of programs offered by the College and FNRE and broaden the clientele base to support a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive university.

oEnsure critical client educational needs are periodically assessed and appropriate programs are developed to meet priority needs of different College constituencies.

oAdminister the College’s Extension budget allocation and the Oregon Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) Program.

25% Oversight of College Forests :

Working in concert with College Forest Director(s) and faculty, provide administrative oversight and thought leadership for the management of all College forests in support of advancing the missions of the College of Forestry and Forestry and Natural Resources Extension.

Help researchers develop research projects on college forests that best address College priorities and future science needs.

Identify and promote interdisciplinary opportunities for advancing sustainable forest management and research.

Work with College leadership and faculty to integrate research, teaching and Extension opportunities at all College forests.

10% Service and additional duties as assigned by the Dean :

Participate in committees and activities as necessary to support key College priorities, within and external to the University.

Minimum / Required Qualifications

Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in Forestry, Natural Resources, or closely related field.

Demonstrated success in promoting and enhancing diversity and fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace.

Proven programmatic leadership and administrative experience in Extension programming, stakeholder engagement or outreach.

Demonstrated understanding of current and emerging issues in forestry or natural resources of importance to the region, nation and world, and how Extension and science outreach can address these issues.

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, agency representatives, NGOs, Tribes, industry partners, legislative bodies, donors, etc.

Proven administrative ability, including in budget, financial, and personnel management.

Demonstrated effectiveness in supervising employees with diverse position descriptions, backgrounds, and areas of expertise.

Demonstrated record of teamwork and team-based accomplishment.

Academic / professional record that would qualify the applicant to be awarded tenure.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq.

Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

Demonstrated success in working across academic units.

Demonstrated capacity to organize and coordinate large research and / or outreach programs.

Demonstrable interest in advancing sustainable approaches to natural resource management.

Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships across professional disciplines, and within and throughout a College, the Extension Service, University, and the broader community.

Proven experience in assessing client needs, developing Extension programming, developing self-sustaining continuing education programs, and program evaluation.

Proven experience developing creative and effective methods to ensure broader impacts of research.

Experience conducting or guiding interdisciplinary forestry research.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Travel is required to local, state and national meetings and on a regular basis. Occasional travel to traverse and evaluate forests and operations is required.

Evening and weekend professional activities are occasionally required.