Research Forest Director & Silviculture Extension Specialist
Job Listings Title: Research Forest Director & Silviculture Extension Specialist
Post Date 1/27/2026
Expiration Date 3/15/2026
Details:
The College of Forestry (CoF) at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, combination position as Director of OSU Research Forests & Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (Practice): Silviculture Extension Specialist, reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas.
The Director of OSU Research Forests position is a part-time (0.50 FTE) 12-month professional faculty position and the Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (Practice) position is a part-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term academic faculty position, with an academic home in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management.
Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; however, higher rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.
The Oregon State University College of Forestry’s Research and Demonstration Forests comprise 18,000 acres across ten tracts statewide, serving as living laboratories for education, research, and sustainable forest management.
The Director of the OSU Research Forests provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of these working landscapes, which actively support multiple values including education, biodiversity, recreation, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and forest health, while providing forest products. The Director collaborates with eight Research Forest staff to implement forest plans, advance research initiatives, strengthen community relations, and demonstrates that public access can coexist with research, education, and sustainable forest management.
This position requires balancing strategic planning with operational execution across four primary areas: community engagement, research oversight, forest plan implementation, and organizational leadership. The Director ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, has oversight of the research forest budget to meet economic, ecological, and social sustainability goals, and directly supervises the Associate Director of Operations and Recreation and Engagement Program Manager.
As a Silviculture Extension Specialist, this position will assess and address silviculture outreach and research needs for a variety of audiences and stakeholders including private forest owners, natural resource professionals, industrial and agency owners and managers, and policy makers. They are responsible for Extension programming, research and scholarly outputs, service, and functioning as a connector between Extension faculty and the Research Forests.
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 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.
Qualifications: What you will need:
Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated expertise in silviculture and forest ecology.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams effectively through collaborative decision-making and respectful engagement.
Experience in financial management and budgeting, including developing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring fiscal accountability.
Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and communities, such as students, private landowners, Tribal Nations, natural resource professionals, industry representatives, agency personnel, and the general public.
Demonstrated strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
For individuals seeking the rank of Associate Professor (Practice) or Professor (Practice): Candidate should have a demonstrated record of accomplishment in silviculture and formal or informal instruction that merits appointment as an Associate Professor (Practice) or Professor (Practice), meeting the OSU teaching, advising, scholarship, and service criteria for appointment at the desired rank (see the OSU Guidelines for Professor of Practice Appointments and Promotion for details). OSU will consider previous years of experience at other similar institutions towards timelines for rank promotions.
What we would like you to have:
Knowledge of Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems, silviculture practices, and natural resource management issues.
Practical experience in forest management that balances multiple values (ecological, economic, recreational, educational) to advance applied science and public engagement.
Experience developing and delivering educational programs to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.
Demonstrated capacity to produce scholarly or professional outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, Extension materials, or professional presentations.
Track record of securing external funding through grants, contracts, or partnerships.
Demonstrated commitment to creating respectful, safe, and inclusive work and learning environments, including active efforts to engage historically marginalized or underserved communities.
Ability to communicate effectively with media representatives and respond to public inquiries or concerns about forest management activities.
Employer: Oregon State University Contact: Jeff Hatten
