POSITION TITLE: extension educator
Hiring Organization/Employer: University of Minnesota Extension
Application Deadline: 11/20/2026
Education Required: M.S.
Location: Cloquet, Duluth, Brainerd or Grand Rapids, MN
Description:
This is a regional Extension Educator position that is currently funded through June 2029 with the
primary responsibility to develop, pilot, and deliver a new Minnesota Certified Prescribed Burn
Manager (CPBM) program. This program will be developed in collaboration with the Minnesota
Prescribed Fire Council, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other stakeholders.
Council members and collaborators in other states have been working to synthesize and prepare
CPBM curriculum materials, and this position will assume leadership for the development and
delivery of this work.
The educator will be a member of the UMN Extension Forestry team and collaborate closely with
Cloquet Forestry Center staff as well as Extension educators, program coordinators, and
specialists. Other collaborators include research faculty from the UMN Department of Forest
Resources and other units. Key roles will include stakeholder network development, delivering
Extension programming and research-based content through modalities including face-to-face and
remotely, synchronously and asynchronously, written, podcast, video, or others. The position may
also provide technical assistance to help grassland and forest managers identify and implement
sustainable forest management activities at scale.
This position is supervised by the UMN Extension Natural Resources Program Leader. Funding for
this position was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as
recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
Compensation & Benefits:
$68,000-$78,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience
100% Appointment
Responsibilities:
70% Program Leadership and Delivery
Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based educational programming to
advance competent, professional prescribed burn management. Namely, a new
Minnesota Certified Prescribed Burn Manager program
Identify educational needs and audiences, and design educational curricula and materials
to meet those needs with an audience of aspiring prescribed burn managers. This will
include synthesizing materials from existing wildland fire coursework and certified burn
manager programs in other states to formalize new curriculum for Minnesota.
Deliver programing at in-person and possibly online Extension and partner programs so
attendees can gain knowledge and skills and change behavior.
Evaluate and report on the impact of this work and how it may need to change in the
future.
Cultivate relationships with colleagues and collaborators in other states, as well as
Minnesota stakeholders, to ensure quality, relevance, and audience alignment for the
new curriculum.
25% Partnerships and Collaborations
Engage key partners through the Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council to ensure broad
stakeholder support for the new curriculum and program. Partner organizations include the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, nonprofit organizations including The Nature
Conservancy, private contractors, Tribal fire and natural resource leads, and others.
Coordinate other project and grant activities, including reporting requirements, for LCCMR
project 2026-143, Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Curriculum Development and Pilot,
which is funding the position.
Collaborate internally with faculty from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural
Resources Sciences, University of Minnesota Crookston, the Natural Resources
Research Institute, and other units.
Pursue grant funding to extend CPBM program and create other opportunities for
prescribed fire training and technical assistance as identified by stakeholders.
5% Scholarship and Professional service
As a member of the Extension natural resources team, contribute fire-related expertise to
other Extension programming addressing ecosystem health, grassland and forest
adaptation and resilience, and/or related issues.
Actively contribute scholarship and service as a member of the Extension, and broader
University of Minnesota community. Document professional performance using the annual
performance review, professional plan of work and promotion processes for Extension
educators with rank.
Preferred Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
(must be documented on application materials)
A master’s degree addressing applications of natural, physical, or social science to
problems including, but not limited to wildland fire, silviculture, forest management,
natural resource conservation, or a related field.
Sufficient knowledge of the science and practice of prescribed fire to deliver
programming to diverse, semi-professional and professional audiences.
Experience in the practice of prescribed fire.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely
in appropriate formats for various audiences, particularly in natural resource sectors (may
include scientists, community members, decision makers, students, media, or others).
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and
collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
Excellent English communication skills, including oral, written, and graphic/image
formats and the ability to use technology to enhance learning.
Additional Requirements
Valid driver’s license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance, to be
utilized for travel to workshops and transporting materials and supplies to events; the need
to transport other people/employees may occur.
A large amount of this position’s work will be in an office or other indoor environments, but
there will be a need to participate in activities in the field, including site visits, instruction,
demonstrations, and other outdoor activities. In doing so, the person in this position will
need to traverse terrain (typically in forests, brushlands, or prairies) and work in various
weather conditions including smoky and high temperature conditions.
When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile
number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension
staff directory.
Must be able to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or
weekend work.
Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
Must be able to travel within the designated work area and provide in-person
programming; including transporting of supplies frequently, and other people rarely.
This position will travel locally frequently, in state somewhat frequently and out of state
rarely; see work location information for requirements for travel for this role.
Ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, standing,
bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying 20 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up
to thirty pounds of force.
Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional training and experience as a wildland firefighter or prescribed burn
practitioner.
Training or experience in Extension theory and practice, including needs assessment and
program development, delivery, management and evaluation.
Experience engaging across the various networks, professions and organizations
offering adult natural resources education.
Experience in participatory research, community engagement and knowledge co
creation and delivery.
Experience writing and administering grants.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and ability to work independently with little or no supervision. This includes the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, stakeholders, and communities.
How to Apply:
Job Opening ID: 376808
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button
and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the
position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.