The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Academic Specialist focused on forests, carbon, and climate change. The successful candidate will help lead the department’s Forest Carbon and Climate Program, with a special focus on activities and projects in the United States and Canada. The mission of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) is to meet the educational needs of professionals and the public on forest carbon and its relationship to mitigating climate change. The position will consist of outreach and non-credit online education (55%), curriculum development (20%), research (20%), and other activities (5%). This is a fixed-term position with annual renewals available depending on satisfactory performance and continued funding availability. The position is supported by MSU and a coalition of external partners from industry, conservation, and government.
This role is a unique opportunity to shape an important and timely disciplinary intersection of forest management, conservation, forest products, and global climate change. The specialist will: develop and implement training and educational material for North American professionals; track science and policy in forest carbon and climate topics; present at influential events and professional gatherings; design and lead workshop sessions; collect and analyze data; build relationships with partners; contribute to proposal development and pursue funding for specific projects; monitor and report on sponsored activities; support policymakers and natural resource decisionmakers; contribute to a research agenda; and complete limited administrative tasks related to educational programming offered by the FCCP, including the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management.
Minimum Requirements
Master’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, environmental economics, environmental policy, or a related field. At least 3 to 5 years of demonstrated leadership in relevant research, science communication, conservation, program or project management, or environmental education. Strong written and verbal communication (including public speaking), knowledge of foundational environmental science methods and outputs, and a passion to learn, including tracking new developments in this evolving field. Eagerness to interpret and translate research findings for diverse audiences, visualize and analyze data, and utilize cutting-edge software to help further an effective and vibrant Forest Carbon and Climate Program at MSU.
Desired Qualifications
Doctoral degree in above fields. Experience or background in grant writing, publishing in academic journals and opinion pieces, community engagement, adult education, and/ or teaching at the college level. Knowledge of or experience in forest carbon project development, forest carbon baseline modeling, risk assessments, and monitoring, reporting, and verification.