Institute of Forestry Assistant Director/Assistant Professor in the Practice of Forestry

Position Description

Paul Smith’s College invites applicants for a full-time, 12-month service/teaching faculty appointment that combines Institute leadership, program management, staff supervision, and teaching in field forestry.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Institute Director to formulate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision for the Institute of Forestry that supports its growth, innovation, and impact.
• Provide operational and administrative support to ensure that all Institute projects, College Forest activities, and enterprises are planned, executed, and documented on time and to high professional standards.
• Support the Director in budget management, including monitoring expenses, tracking deliverables, and contributing to progress reports.
• Provide day-to-day coordination and direction for key operational work (e.g., grant management, student and staff assignments, purchasing, and project timelines), with growing people-lead responsibilities over time.
• Lead or support the development of new programs, projects, and initiatives, including seeking funding from state, federal, or private sources to support the Institute’s mission.
• Serve as primary instructor or co-instructor for approximately one undergraduate or graduate-level forestry course per semester (about 6 contact hours per week during the academic year).
• Supervise student fieldwork and research projects tied to the Institute’s operations and mission.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to advance the mission of Paul Smith’s College.

Qualifications And Preferences

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in forestry, or a BS in forestry and an advanced degree in a closely related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience; the ideal candidate will demonstrate experience across field forestry; teaching, research, and/or outreach; and managerial or entrepreneurial leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and administrative skills, including responsibility for budgets and grant activities, organizing complex workflows, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring timely completion of deliverables across multiple projects.
• Demonstrated experience supervising or leading staff and/or student employees, including coordinating workloads, providing direction and feedback, and supporting professional growth.
• Demonstrated success building and working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to hands-on, place-based education and applied forestry.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.