UNH Extension Seeks a Natural Resources Field Specialist in Lancaster, N.H.

UNH Cooperative Extension is filling a Natural Resources Field Specialist Forestry position in Coös County, NH, with an office in Lancaster. Natural Resources Field Specialists conduct county-based and statewide programming
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Position Summary

UNH Cooperative Extension is filling a Natural Resources Field Specialist, Forestry position in Coös County, N.H., with an office in Lancaster. Natural Resources Field Specialists conduct county-based and state-wide programming as described in this position announcement. UNH is a federal contractor within the meaning of the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This position may require that you be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the future, unless you apply for and receive a religious or medical exemption.

Minimum qualifications

  • Master’s degree in appropriate discipline. One degree must be in forestry, wildlife, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. A strong candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, wildlife, or a closely related field from an accredited institution with 3 years of experience may be considered—but will be required to obtain a Master’s degree within 7 years of hire. 
  • Required to become a New Hampshire Licensed Forester.
  • Driver’s license and personal vehicle.
  • Willing and able to work some nights and weekends for programs, events, or meetings as well as accomplish extensive, year-round, fieldwork.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; an ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers and people with a variety of values and interests; a willingness to participate in professional development activities to add and enhance knowledge.
  • Demonstrated competency in managing forest land and related resources.
  • Demonstrated silviculture expertise, particularly rehabilitation of degraded stands and habitat.
  • Able to speak to and refer conservation options.
  • Ability to leverage community forest as a tool to engage the community.
  • Extension (or related) education, outreach, and/or related programming experience.
  • Ability to provide natural resources programming in rural and developed communities.
  • Competency with computers and current technology, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Additional Preferred Qualifications

  • At least 3 years experience in Extension or related landowner outreach and/or forest land management, with strong knowledge of silviculture, forestry operations, climate change (its effects on forest resources), forest-based recreation (including its effects on forest resources and wildlife habitat), best management practices, wildlife habitat management, forest markets, and NH forest harvesting laws.
  • Experience with adult education.
  • Experience using social media to promote programs and engage the public.
  • Ability to develop hybrid/online program content and instruction.

Salary Information

Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.
 
 
Duty/Responsibility
County-Based Programming
  1. Woodlot visits with landowners, providing technical and educational advice regarding all components of forest stewardship, including timber products, wildlife habitat, best management practices for water resource protection and erosion control, invasive species, recreation, protection of threatened and endangered species, conservation options, and other needs-based upon the landowner’s objectives.
  2. Educational programs and technical assistance for county residents, businesses, and communities on forest management, wildlife, forest stewardship planning, urban and community forestry, Christmas tree management, maple syrup production, tree insects and diseases, shade tree care, estate planning, current use, and timber tax, federal income tax, forest products marketing, selling timber, cost-share programs, water resources, wetlands, land protection, forest protection, forest laws, and access to resources related to the economic viability of forests, forest-related businesses, and communities.
  3. Managing the county-owned lands with guidance and approval of the county administrator and commissioners through timber sales, stewardship plans, marketing information and assistance, cost-sharing, and other revenue-generating opportunities.
  4. Public awareness promotion of the benefits and uses of local forests for products, wildlife habitat, water resources, erosion control, tourism, and quality of life, with individuals and groups through mass media, social- networking, computer technology, and demonstration areas on county and other public and private lands.
  5. Supporting programs for youth in forestry, wildlife, and related areas (e.g., through schools, 4-H, Project Learning Tree, scouts, camps, and other outlets).
  6. Recruiting, supporting, and deploying natural resource volunteers and citizen scientists (e.g., NH Coverts Cooperators, NH Natural Resources Stewards, NH Lakes Lay Monitoring, and NH Tree Farmers).
  7. Marketing UNH Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Marketing & Communications team and co-workers.
  8. Engaging the County Extension Advisory Council members in aspects of the Natural Resources Team programs by keeping council members well-informed and seeking guidance from the council regarding meeting the needs of people in the county.
  9. Other responsibilities to meet the needs of clientele, County Extension Advisory Council, funders, and key partners such as the NH Division of Forests and Lands, NH Fish and Game Department, US Forest Service, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  10. Serve as the UNH Cooperative Extension County Office Administrator when the need is identified by Extension Administration. This takes approximately 20% of a typical workweek. The educator’s program workload is reduced to accommodate this responsibility. There is a stipend associated with this appointment.
  11. Serve on other internal Extension and external committees as requested.
  12. When appropriate, and in keeping with the mission, seek external funding and/or cost recovery to sustain and enhance programs.
State-Wide Programming
In conjunction with the Extension State Specialist, Forestry, and other state and county specialists, assist with and conduct regional and statewide programming consistent with the specialist’s particular expertise to meet the needs of forest landowners, natural resource professionals and other stakeholders, as well as participate in the design and delivery of programs funded by grants and gifts.
 

EEO Statement

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, veteran status, or marital status, genetic information, and political orientation. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S.

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

Author(s)

Steven Roberge
Steven Roberge
Extension State Specialist, Forest Resources
Assoc State Spec Professor
Phone: (603) 862-4861
Office: UNH Cooperative Extension, Taylor Hall, Durham, NH 03824
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