As part of the natural resources team, forestry field specialists conduct county‐based and statewide programming. Cheshire County is in southwestern New Hampshire, bordered by Massachusetts and Vermont. The City of Keene is in the geographic center of the county, surrounded by rural and suburbanized towns. In this landscape, the forestry field specialist provides extension forest resources education and assistance to landowners, citizens, natural resource professionals, forest industry, community groups, volunteers, municipalities, and natural resource organizations. The field specialist works individually and in cooperation with extension co‐workers, faculty, and natural resources‐related organizations and agencies to deliver education and assistance. The field specialist develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and reports on programming using the principles outlined in the 2023‐2028 Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan and delivers the US Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program to the forestland owners of Cheshire County. This position will have occasional night and weekend programmatic responsibilities.
Duties and Responsibilities
County‐Based Programming
- Conduct 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, forest resiliency, protection of threatened and endangered species and other needs based on the landowner’s objectives.
- Provide educational programs and technical assistance for county residents, businesses, and communities that include, but are not limited to, 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, forest resiliency, current use and timber tax, federal income tax, forest carbon programs, 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.
- Ensure programmatic involvement of underserved and underrepresented audiences and that all educational programming is designed and conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.
- Manage 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.
- Use mass media, social networking, computer technology, and demonstration areas on county and other public and private lands to promote public awareness of the benefits and uses of local forests for products, wildlife habitat, water resources, erosion control, tourism and quality of life.
- Support programs for youth in forestry, wildlife and related areas (e.g., through schools, 4‐H, Project Learning Tree, and other outlets).
- Recruit, support and use natural resource volunteers and citizen scientists (e.g., NH Coverts Cooperators, NH Natural Resources Stewards, Nature Groupie, and NH Tree Farmer Program).
- Market UNH Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Marketing & Communications team and co‐workers.
- Engage 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.
- Perform 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.
- When determined appropriate with supervisor and Extension administration, serve as the county office administrator (COA) of the Cheshire County Extension office. The COA develops and maintains relationships with county administrators, department heads, commissioners and delegation members, and is responsible for facility and equipment management, office budget management, and supervision of administrative assistants, interns and other part-time or temporary employees. COA job responsibilities usually account for 20% of the employee’s time. If the field specialist is appointed COA, their organizational support time is reduced during their COA service.
- Serve on other internal Extension committees as requested.
- When appropriate, and in keeping with the mission, seek external funding and/or cost recovery to sustain and enhance programs.
Statewide Programming
- In conjunction with the Extension forestry state specialist 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
- Participate in the design and delivery of programs funded by grants and gifts.
Professional Development
- Develop and implement a professional development plan to maintain and enhance competence in appropriate subject areas and professional skills such as program design and evaluation, leadership, teamwork, group process, and facilitation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s level or higher 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 three years of experience may be considered but will be required to obtain a master’s degree within seven years of hire.
- If not already, required to become a New Hampshire Licensed Forester in two years.
- Driver’s license and personal vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.
- Willing and able to work some nights and weekends for programs, events or meetings as well as accomplish extensive, year‐round, work in the field
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers and people with a variety of values and interests
- Willingness to participate in professional development activities to add to and enhance knowledge
- Demonstrated competency in silviculture and managing forestland and related natural resources
- Extension (or related) education, public engagement, outreach and/or related programming experience
- Ability to provide natural resources programming in an urbanizing and suburbanizing environment
- Competency with computers and current technology, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Desirable Qualifications
- At least three years’ experience in extension or related landowner outreach and/or forestland management, with strong knowledge of silviculture, forestry operations, climate change’s effects on N.H.’s forest resources, forest resiliency, forestry best management practices, wildlife habitat management, forest markets, and N.H. forest harvesting laws
- Experience with adult education
- Experience with social media
- Hybrid and/or online course instruction/development
- Videography, drone piloting, or other unique uses of technology
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.
