Extension Specialist in Arboriculture

About the role

The selected candidate will be responsible for providing statewide extension educational programs related to arboriculture and urban forestry to reach underserved communities, small farmers, and under-resourced land/forest owners/managers. The incumbent will also be responsible for outreach activities that aim to educate the public, landscapers, and homeowners to help them manage landscapes and care for trees, teach an undergraduate dendrology course every other year, and participate in service activities to support the department, college, and the university related to arboriculture and/or urban tree management.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide extension educational programs related to arboriculture and urban forestry to reach underserved communities, small farmers, and under-resourced land/forest owners/managers.
• Achieve outreach activities aimed at educating the public, landscapers, and homeowners on landscape management and tree care.
• Teach an undergraduate dendrology course every other year.
• Participate in service activities supporting the department, college, and the university related to arboriculture and/or urban tree management.

Requirements

• A strong record of extension is highly desired.
• Demonstrated expertise and/or advanced knowledge in soil health, nutrient management, planting native trees/shrubs, tree climbing, tree pruning, tree removal, and usage of related tools/equipment/heavy machinery.
• Experience with extension program development, management, and communication using cutting-edge technology, tools, and platforms (e.g., social media).
• Experience in creating extension/educational materials and conducting workshops, trainings, tours, and other related extension/education activities for a diverse audience.
• Prominent record of effective collaboration development, partnership building, and marketing with partners, relevant agencies, and community groups.
• Proven applied research experience in investigating, developing, managing, and implementing arboricultural and/or urban forestry-related projects.
• Ability to work productively independently and in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Familiarity with emerging environmental issues in the context of urbanization, climate change, and environmental injustice.

Qualifications

• M.S. degree in arboriculture, urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, botany, environmental science, natural resource management, ecology, or a closely related field.
• An ISA certified arborist.
• Effective communication skills with demonstrated experience in developing and executing extension and applied research programs.