Faculty Position in the Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota
Assistant Professor in Urban and Community Forestry
Description of the Department of Forest Resources
The University of Minnesota is a comprehensive land-grant university, based in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The Department of Forest Resources (https://www.forestry.umn.edu/) is one of the oldest and most highly-regarded forestry programs in the country. Its mission is to inform and advance the science and management of forest and related natural resources. The Department has 20 faculty and approximately 50 full-time researchers, scientists, and postdocs representing a breadth of disciplines in the biological, physical, social, and managerial sciences. Located within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (https://www.cfans.umn.edu/) in St. Paul, the Department hosts BS, MS, and PhD programs, supports many nationally and internationally recognized research programs, and has a long tradition of public engagement and outreach. Faculty and scientists utilize several outstate University centers including the 3,400 acre Cloquet Forestry Center, Hubachek Wilderness Research Center near Ely, and North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids.
Position Description:
Nine-month, full-time, tenure-track assistant professor appointment with responsibilities for research (25%), teaching (50%), and service/outreach (25%). The position is in the Department of Forest Resources and located on the St. Paul Campus. The position is available August 2020.
This position is a retirement replacement in Urban and Community Forestry within the Department of Forest Resources. The current program is vibrant with active outreach programs, funding streams which support research and outreach programming, and growing interest among undergraduate and graduate students. The new faculty member will have the opportunity to establish new and/or advance current outreach programs. Existing outreach programs associated with this position include: organizing the annual Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course; directing the Minnesota Tree Care Advocate and Community Engagement and Preparedness programs; and directing the educational programming and testing for the Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector Program. The incumbent will supervise several full-time, part-time, and student employees.
Research (25%)
Responsibilities include but are not limited to: establish a nationally-recognized research program that addresses important problems affecting urban and community forests. This research would be undertaken in collaboration with faculty located in St. Paul, Grand Rapids, and/or Cloquet, as well as scientists and practitioners locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Seek and secure extramural funding needed to develop a nationally-recognized urban and community forestry research program. Publish in leading refereed journals, trade journals, and outreach publications, as appropriate. Direct the development and management of the current urban forestry outreach and research laboratory and nursery.
Teaching (50%)
Responsibilities include but are not limited to: teach undergraduate and graduate courses in urban and community forestry, and other courses as assigned. Mentor undergraduate students in Department-affiliated majors. Recruit, advise, train, and mentor graduate students from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Service/Outreach (25%)
Responsibilities include but are not limited to: organize and direct established outreach programs, and/or
develop new outreach programs. Conduct workshops and related outreach on urban/community forestry
and arboriculture. Seek and secure extramural funding needed to develop and continue urban and
community forestry outreach. Provide leadership to state urban and community forestry continuing
education and outreach activities. Utilize the current urban forestry laboratory and nursery for outreach.
Provide service to the profession. Participate in University faculty governance and service.
Minimum Qualifications:
● Ph.D. by the time of appointment with concentration in urban and community forestry or a
closely related field.
● In-depth understanding of and experience with principles, concepts, and techniques related to the
management of urban and community forests.
● Experience in identifying and successfully carrying out research that provides information needed
to solve important problems affecting urban and community forests and their environments.
● Demonstrated ability to effectively engage urban and community forestry stakeholders to identify
and provide needed information on the management and protection of urban and community
forests and their environments.
● Demonstrated strong written communication skills, including scientific writing published in
leading peer-reviewed scientific journals and non-technical materials for outreach audiences.
● Demonstrated strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively engage a wide
range of audiences through seminars, workshops and conferences.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Demonstrated excellence in delivering undergraduate and graduate instruction.
● Demonstrated excellence in delivering urban and community forestry outreach and engagement.
● Familiarity and experience with urban and community forestry issues in Minnesota and/or the U.S.
Great Lakes Region.
● Experience developing or applying urban and community forestry techniques in a field setting.
● Demonstrated success in securing extramural funding for urban and community forestry research
and outreach programming.
● Demonstrated success in securing public and private partnerships.
● Demonstrated success in advising and training graduate students.
● Experience supervising employees.
● Demonstrated expertise in a complementary area such as silviculture, horticulture, forest health,
forest ecology, forest genetics, or forest management.
● At least one degree from a forestry program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The 9-month salary (option
to be paid over 12 months) can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants. Salary will
be supplemented with nine (9) weeks of summer salary for the first three (3) years of the appointment.
Additional start-up funding includes graduate student support, moving expenses, and other start-up
expenses.
The University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays.
• Low cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Health care and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts.
• Excellent retirement plans with generous employer contribution and immediate vesting.
• Employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Wellbeing program with reduced insurance premiums.
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities covering 75% of eligible tuition.
• Opportunities for sabbaticals and other professional leaves.
• Opportunities for growth and promotion.
• Employee Assistance Program.
Additional benefits information is available at: http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/index.html.
Application Process: Apply on line via the University of Minnesota Employment System at
https://z.umn.edu/ucfap. The Job Opening ID for this position is 335503. Applications must include the
following: (1) cover letter; (2) detailed CV/resume; (3) brief statement describing teaching interests and
philosophy (1 page); (4) brief statement describing research interests and philosophy (1page); (5) brief
statement describing outreach/service interests and philosophy (1 page); (6) brief statement describing
interest in, experience with, and commitment to diversity and inclusiveness (1 page); (7) copy of
undergraduate and graduate transcripts; and (8) names and contract information for three professional
references (reference letters should only be provided upon request). Combine all parts of the application
(i.e., letter, CV, statements, etc.) into a single document before uploading.
For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Charlie Blinn (cblinn@umn.edu), Urban
and Community Forestry Search Committee chair. For questions about the application process, please
contact Lori Loberg, CFANS Human Resources, at theis020@umn.edu. Review of applications will
begin March 15, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.
Background Check
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its
programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin,
handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. The University is committed to excellence
through diversity and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and other
underrepresented groups.