Deadline: Mon, 04/22/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Cooperative Extension Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire Job Field: Forestry Other Job Type: Full Time Location: New Hampshire Location Detail: Goffstown, New Hampshire Job Description: This position is based at the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension office in Goffstown, N.H., and leads UNH Extension’s educational, technical and volunteer programming in urban forestry and ecology. New Hampshire is becoming more urbanized, with urban areas projected to increase to over 10% of the state by 2060. Urban and community trees and forests provide a variety of ecological, social and economic values including reduced stormwater runoff, air pollution mitigation, noise reduction, improved air quality, heat island mitigation, carbon sequestration and improved quality of life for communities. A recent Arbor Day Foundation study estimates that N.H.’s urban trees add an estimated $356 million to property values across the state. The Extension field specialist in urban forestry and ecology will engage community leaders and volunteers in training and projects related to tree planting, pruning, care and maintenance, community tree inventory and arboriculture, and enhancing ecosystem services provided by urban and community trees and forests. This position will work in conjunction with other Extension staff and partners to strengthen and support urban forestry and urban ecology programming with an emphasis on training, supporting and working with volunteers, especially in underserved urban areas (as identified by groups such as the Council on Environmental Quality and American Forests). The field specialist will be part of a collaborative team focused on urban and community forestry with the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, other Extension natural resources staff, and conservation organizations working in urban areas. The field specialist will contribute data and metrics to Extension natural resources and volunteer program action plans and will support the state urban and community forestry program in collecting data and metrics on community trees and forests, especially those associated with volunteer action. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications - Master’s degree in appropriate discipline. One degree must be in forestry, ecology, wildlife, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. A strong candidate with a bachelor’s degree in forestry, wildlife, urban ecology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution with 3 years of relevant experience may be considered if willing to obtain a master’s degree within 7 years of hire. - Extension (or related) education, outreach and/or related programming experience in urban and/or urbanizing environments. - Experience recruiting, training and managing volunteers. - Demonstrated competency in urban forestry and/or urban ecology and related resources. - Hold arborist certification or be able to obtain within 2 years of hire (e.g., N.H. Arborists Association, equivalent state arborist accreditation, or International Society of Arboriculture) - Excellent written and oral communication skills - Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers and people with a variety of values and interests and of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, income, and education levels. - Demonstrated competency with computers and current technology. Willingness to participate in professional development activities to add and enhance knowledge. - Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle and willingness and ability to work some nights and weekends for programs, volunteer projects and events, and meetings as well as accomplish year-round field work. Mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate. Additional Preferred Qualifications - At least 3 years of experience in extension or related urban outreach, invasive species management, urban forestry, arboriculture, watershed management, forest management, urban wildlife management, or ecology research focused on urban or urbanizing systems. - Experience using social media to promote events and programming. - Experience in hybrid and/or online course development and instruction. - Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or Global Positioning Systems (GPS). - Experience with citizen science research approaches and applications such as iNaturalist, iTree, Litterati, etc. Miscellaneous: The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status. Institution Information The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire, and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide Benefits: Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off. How to Apply: To learn more and apply, visit this link: https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/59129
