Forestry Extension Field Specialist - Northeast Iowa

Position Title:

Forestry Extension Field Specialist - Northeast Iowa

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience

Special Required Qualifications

Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Forestry from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited program.

Master's degree in Forestry, or related natural resources field.

Strong experience with forestry technical service in hardwood silvicultural systems, which may include consultation, stewardship planning, best management practice (BMP) implementation, as well as marking, marketing, and administrating timber and wood products harvests.

Demonstrated familiarity/experience with state and federal cost share programs relevant to forestry, natural resources, and agriculture.

Experience building or maintaining partnerships and networks with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.

Experience with developing and implementing extension and outreach programming, or similar adult education, for broad audiences, including needs assessment and evaluation, as well as interpersonal and group communication.

Experience in developing and disseminating innovative, science-based, extension or educational resources (e.g., print, web, video) to broad audiences.

Job Description:

Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Forestry Extension Field Specialist position in northeast Iowa. This position will be classified as either an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist II or III, depending on experience.

The Forestry Extension Field Specialist will work in collaboration with internal and external partners to promote active forest stewardship across the region through provision of technical assistance and education to private woodland owners, public woodland stewards, and the forest products industry, which may include one-on-one consultations, workshops, virtual programs, and other extension program delivery methods. The successful candidate will work closely with ISUEO Extension Forestry Specialist (State Specialist) to assist with planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of regional standing ISUEO forestry-related programming which may include the Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program, Windbreak School, and Forestry Field Days.

In addition, the Forestry Extension Field Specialist will work to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative new programming for target audiences, with increased emphasis on non-traditional (e.g., agricultural producers) and underserved/underrepresented audiences, and develop new science-based resources (e.g., print, video, field demonstration sites), both of which will act to complement technical assistance duties. They may work to pursue internal and external funding sources to assist with program development, implementation, and evaluation, as well as creation of educational resources.

The Forestry Extension Field Specialist will cooperate and communicate with Regional Extension Educational Directors, County Councils, County Extension personnel, other Field Specialists, and campus faculty and staff. The successful candidate will be expected to develop, maintain, and grow an effective regional collaborative network which will include a broad range of public, private, and non-profit partners, and develop a specific plan of work based on needs assessments, partner-derived insights, and other means.

This position will serve Allamakee, Winneshiek, Fayette, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, and Dubuque counties. The primary office location for this position will be a county extension office and the location will be dependent on the successful candidate and office availability. Because the position will support multiple counties, travel is required. Additional counties may be served in the future.

This position will be filled at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist II or III level.

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist II

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience

Pay Grade:

PS808

Level Guidelines:

• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals

• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues

• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems

• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests

• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff

• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity

• Provides guidance to students

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist III

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience

Pay Grade:

PS810

Level Guidelines:

• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU's mission and department or work unit goals

• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude

• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action

• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices

• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff

• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist

• Provides guidance to students

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist III will have additional duties not listed in the posting.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

2. Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:

June 19, 2024

Posting Close Date:

July 2, 2024

Job Requisition Number:

R14775