Forestry Education Coordinator

The Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program is seeking a Forestry Education Coordinator. This is a part-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The exciting new part-time Forestry Education Coordinator position serves audiences with an emphasis on forestry and natural resource education. The Forestry Education Coordinator will work as a member of the regional and statewide team of the Division of Extension and Engagement’s (division) Extension Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) programs and will be based at the Research Forest Office in Corvallis, Oregon. Decisions regarding this position are in consultation with the supervision team which includes the Recreation & Engagement Manager for College of Forestry Research Forests and the Extension Program Leader.

The Forestry Education Coordinator will be responsible for designing, implementing, and coordinating educational programs that connect people to forestry and the natural world. These efforts will include leading tours and workshops, recruiting and training volunteers, planning outreach events, and designing interpretive materials that promote forestry awareness and natural resource stewardship. This individual will collaborate with schoolteachers, businesses, organizations, students, local community members, and Oregon State University faculty and staff to reach audiences with broad and diverse backgrounds and abilities.

About the Extension Forestry and Natural Resources Program:Forestry Natural Resources Extension focuses on programs that promote sustainable and productive forest and natural resources management in urban and rural settings. More information is available at the FNR program’s website: https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/forestry-and-natural-resources.

OSU Research Forests, managed by the College of Forestry, are comprised of nine research, teaching, and demonstration forests located throughout Oregon. The forests serve as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for students, researchers and managers to learn about forest ecosystems and management. More information is available at the OSU Research Forest website: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/

About the Division:The Division of Extension and Engagement (division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our division and its core units and initiatives, please visit: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/.

Key Responsibilities

65% – Program Management and Delivery

• Coordinate (including planning, delivering, and evaluating) forestry and nature-based educational programs that may include guided hikes, workshops, presentations, and special events tailored to different age groups and interests. Specific programming coordination includes:
  • Coordinate the annual Get Outdoors Day event, a bilingual (Spanish and English) event hosted jointly by OSU Research Forests, OSU Extension Service, and Community Health Centers of Linn and Benton County at Peavy Arboretum that encourages healthy, outdoor family fun.
  • Coordinate the youth focused William Ferrell Forest Discovery Trail interpretive trail and program in Peavy Arboretum.
• Following OSU and division brand guidelines, develop and distribute materials for outreach and education, including brochures, flyers, interpretive signs, presentations, social media, and webpage content.
• Identify and select curricula and educational content that is culturally inclusive and facilitates achievement of natural resource and forestry program objectives to broad and diverse audiences.
• Track program participation, evaluating effectiveness, and using data to improve future programmatic efforts.

25% – Partnership and Volunteer Engagement

• Develop and nurture relationships with community groups, organizations, OSU departments, and other partners/stakeholders to expand program reach and increase access to nature and nature-based experiences for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate and partner with educators to help plan and implement educational programs and community outreach efforts.
• Work with advisory committees or working groups as needed to identify needs, assist with outreach, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers who have various identities, cultural backgrounds, communication styles, and expectations to support program implementation. This includes planning, assigning, and approving volunteer work assignments.

10%- Service and Other

• Participate in and contribute to professional development opportunities that are appropriate for the current assignment and specialty.
• Participate in other College of Forestry and community-based forestry outreach events and programs, including Environmental Leadership for Youth program and Wood Magic.
• Participate in community service activities as appropriate for the position.
• Serve on local, university, or Extension committees as appropriate. Represent OSU at local events, meetings, and activities as appropriate.

What You Will Need 

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science-related field, education, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience teaching, designing, and developing educational materials
• Demonstrated effective communication skills including but not limited to written, oral presentations, and using digital communication systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work with audiences with diverse backgrounds and identities, promoting inclusive and accessible opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience working with natural resource organizations (e.g., conservation organizations, community groups).
• Demonstrated proficiency in using design software to create marketing materials (e.g., Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, Canva)
• Experience overseeing and managing an educational program, including but not limited to planning, organizing, and evaluating a program.
• Experience managing volunteers, including recruitment, orientation, training, engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish

View full posting and apply at:  https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/165714