Director of Extension Fire Program and Assistant/Associate Professor (Extension Specialist)

Director of Extension Fire Program and Assistant/Associate Professor (Extension Specialist)

The Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) and Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time (1.00FTE), 12-month, combination position as Director of Extension Fire Program & Assistant/Associate Professor: Extension Specialist, reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas. The Director of Extension Fire Program position is a part-time (0.50FTE) 12-month professional faculty position and the Assistant/Associate Professor position is a part-time (0.50FTE), 12-month, tenure/tenure-track academic faculty position with an academic home in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate. The position is housed within the Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program (FNR), within the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.

The Fire Program Director provides leadership of the FNR Extension Fire Program and supervision of Fire Program employees (six Regional Fire Specialists and one Fire Program Manager). The Director guides and supports the Fire Program team in pursuing its mission, vision, goals, and programmatic activities, which are focused on fire resilience, a culture of adaptation, and fire-adapted ecosystems. The team's mission is to foster fire-adapted communities and resilient landscapes through place-based partnerships, with a focus on equity and environmental justice.

The Director is expected to:

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based education and outreach programs that align with the team's mission.
• Supervise and support program faculty and staff, providing guidance on program planning, delivery, and evaluation while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.
• Work across Extension, university units, and external partners to identify emerging issues, integrate current fire science into programming, and ensure alignment with stakeholder and community needs.
• Build and maintain partnerships with state, tribal, and federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; and other relevant groups to enhance program reach and impact.
• Serve as a key representative of the program at state, regional, and national levels, contributing leadership, expertise, and coordination in advancing wildfire policy, preparedness, and resilience efforts.

As an Extension Specialist, this position will have responsibility for Extension and Applied Research/Scholarship. Their work will address wildland fire science issues in forests, rangelands, and other ecosystems in Oregon to support wildfire resilience and foster fire-adapted cultures and ecosystems. They will seek to understand stakeholder needs and assets, and use these insights to develop and deliver tailored educational opportunities, providing technical assistance to support collaborative, landscape-scale wildfire resilience and adaptation efforts. Primary audiences may include natural resource managers, wildland fire managers, Tribal Nations, industry representatives, agency personnel, students, private landowners, and the general public. They will conduct applied research in wildland fire science to support wildfire resilience, a culture of adaptation, and fire-adapted ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, securing external funding and publishing and presenting research results.

This faculty member is required to use modern learning tools, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. Active and effective communication with staff and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. Oregon State University and the OSU Extension Service are committed to maintaining and enhancing a collaborative and inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. All employees of Extension are responsible for helping to ensure that these commitments are achieved.

Commitment to inclusive excellence: Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language Access regulations. In addition, this individual will support the Fire Team to design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Extension programs to ensure that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

An offer of employment does not guarantee Oregon State University's ability or commitment to sponsor employment authorization within the U.S.

Why OSU? - Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: medical, dental, vision and basic life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. Retirement savings paid by the university. A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU's safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive. 2025 Best Place for Working Parents Designation! Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities - This faculty member embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed. This individual ensures that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

Fire Program Director: 50%: Program Leadership and Administration

• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for assigned staff, including hiring and training employees, and planning, assigning, and reviewing work. Support staff in developing and achieving goals, assess performance through completion of written evaluations, and provide mentorship and coaching as needed.
• Promote professional development opportunities for assigned staff, and maintain a personal professional development plan, including training, conferences and workshops, and web-based learning opportunities. Professional development activities may include wildland and prescribed fire activities.
• Establish, manage, and maintain internal and external partnerships including, but not limited to, other faculty and units within OSU, land and fire managers, non-governmental organizations, practitioner networks and science exchanges, and other academic institutions.
• Manage an FNR Extension Fire Program Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from these partner entities.
• Collaborate with team members, partners, and community leaders to identify education and engagement needs and priorities for initiatives related to fire resilience, cultures of adaptation, and fire-adapted ecosystems.
• Participate at the state and national level in promoting the FNR Extension Fire Program and in sharing program progress and achievements.
• Track trends, initiatives, and developments in wildland fire science, cross-boundary collaboration, and community engagement and education in the context of wildfire resilience and adaptation.
• Secure and manage external funding to support programmatic growth and expand statewide impact.
• Seek opportunities to promote and strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion in the program and in the fields of wildfire resilience and adaptation more broadly. Seek opportunities to implement new and emerging program content, strategies, and tactics to reach underserved audiences across the state.
• Coordinate with the Fire Program Manager to facilitate the team in collective planning, development, implementation, and assessment of educational outreach programs and in planning and development of content for curriculum, publications and non-credit courses.
• Provides oversight of the fire program budget.

Extension Specialist: 25%: Extension and Outreach

• Assess needs and assets of target audiences and use results to focus program development efforts. Assessment methods should include combinations of focus groups, surveys, evaluation of secondary data, key informant interviews, and other techniques purposefully implemented to gain a clear understanding of audience needs.
• Contribute to educational programs such as classes, workshops, short courses, seminars, field tours, webinars, web-based instructional modules, videos, etc. focused on wildfire resilience and adaptation, and the application of wildland fire science.
• Lead and assist