Director of Extension Fire Program and Assistant​/Associate Professor; Extension Specialist

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

The Division of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program seeks a full‑time, 12‑month professional faculty/administrative leader of the Extension Fire Program. The position combines administrative, teaching, and research responsibilities and is open to candidates at the Assistant Professor rank, with promotion possible based on qualifications.

• Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of research‑based education and outreach programs aligned with the program’s mission of fire resilience and equity.
• Supervise and support program faculty and staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive team environment.
• Collaborate across extension, university units, and external partners to identify emerging issues and integrate current fire science into programming.
• Build and maintain partnerships with state, tribal, federal agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance program reach and impact.
• Serve as the program’s key representative at state, regional, and national levels, contributing leadership, expertise, and coordination in wildfire policy and resilience efforts.
• Secure and manage external funding to support programmatic growth and statewide impact.

As an Extension Specialist, responsibilities include:

• Conduct applied research on wildland fire science issues in Oregon to support wildfire resilience and adaptive management.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate educational materials and outreach activities for diverse audiences.
• Assist in securing grant and contract funding and publishing research results.
• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees, and engage in professional and scientific organizations.

• Doctoral degree in natural resources management, social sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience providing informal wildland fire education and leading teams through collaborative decision‑making.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Experience with diverse stakeholders, including natural resource professionals, tribal nations, industry representatives, and the public.
• Proven ability to secure external funding and manage a budget.
• Commitment to inclusive excellence, equity, and environmental justice.

Intermediate Level: Candidates should have a significant record of scholarly achievement meriting appointment as tenured faculty in the College of Forestry. Senior Level: Candidates at the Associate Professor rank will be considered for tenure based on teaching, advising, research, and service criteria appropriate to the rank.

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter detailing how your qualifications and experience prepare you for this position
• Names, email addresses, and phone numbers for at least three professional references

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected statuses. Oregon State University will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public web site prior to hire. The university is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring, and we encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those involved in the justice system.

This is a critical or security‑sensitive position. Candidates must undergo a background check, including a criminal history check and a motor vehicle history check, and be determined to be position qualified per University Standard 05‑010 et seq. and 05‑030.

For additional information, contact Micah Schmidt midt.