POSITION TITLE: Forestry extension specialist
Hiring Organization/Employer: U of I Champaign-Urbana
Application Deadline: 11/9/26
Education Required: PhD
Location: Champaign, IL
Description:
Provide leadership, outreach, technical guidance, and educational programming in urban and community forestry. Provide undergraduate level instruction in dendrology and potentially other courses.
Conduct applied research that informs forestry needs in the state of Illinois.
Compensation & Benefits:
This is a full-time 100% Academic Professional appointment, appointed on a 12-month basis that reports to the department head. The proposed start is as soon as possible after the closing date. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for this position is $72,000-$76,000.
Responsibilities:
Outreach/Extension: Develop an innovative Extension Program with a focus on urban and community forestry and conduct program evaluation to improve the curriculum, implementation strategies, and impacts. Provide need-based outreach, education, training, programming, and technical guidance to primary constituents. Sponsor/co-sponsor, lead/co-lead in the coordination of forestry-related conferences, symposia, workshops, trainings, and field days. Develop (author or co-author) technical bulletins, educational videos, and articles. Develop and maintain Extension Forestry websites, including the Big Tree Register, and social media accounts. Collaborate on broader initiatives with the Extension forestry team and other Extension colleagues in Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy and Horticulture program areas. Serve as a technical advisor to one or more forestry or conservation related state organizations such as the Illinois Tree Farm Program, Illinois Forestry Development Council, Illinois Walnut Council, Illinois Forestry Association, and Illinois Arborist Association. Collaborate with colleagues and staff with the Division of Forestry Resources (IL Dept. of Natural Resources), Illinois Natural Resources & Conservation Service, USDA Shawnee National Forest, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (Dept. of Forestry), Morton Arboretum, Trees Forever, and U of I's Prairie Research Institute.
Instruct a Dendrology course every other year.
Potentially teach or co-teach a forestry related field course.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in forest science or a closely aligned ecological or natural resource discipline. Expertise in urban and community forestry.
Ph.D. in forest science or a closely aligned ecological or natural resource discipline.
Academic or employment history that demonstrates independence, superior organizational skills, experience writing successful grant proposals (for applied research and outreach), background in community engagement and outreach, and teaching experience.
Illinois pesticide applicator’s license (or demonstrate ability to acquire one shortly after hiring), advanced chainsaw training, certified arborist credentials.
Competency using new and evolving technologies for forestry work such as remote sensing, GIS application, and UAVs.
How to Apply:
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday, November 9, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Upload your cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references. For further information about this specific position, please contact Chris Evans, search chair, via e-mail at cwevans@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.