POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  This is a 12-month, 75% outreach and 25% research, appointment offered at the rank of Public Service Assistant.  This position reports directly to the Dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (Warnell School).  This position is located in the Warnell School but stationed at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, GA working from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (www.bugwood.org).  The successful candidate will be expected to develop an active outreach program to deliver relevant, current, refereed literature and science-based forest health information and policy to the state and region.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop an active program based on extramural funding to support the outreach and research program. The successful candidate shall establish a regionally / nationally recognized program in forest health.  Individuals with experience in field diagnosis and management of forest insects and pathogens (native and introduced) are especially encouraged to apply.  Applications from individuals with experience in applied forest health issues relevant to southern ecosystems and experience in developing and implementing education and outreach programming are encouraged.  The successful candidate will be expected to help further develop the Warnell School’s academic program, serve on Senior Project/Thesis advisory committees, direct/mentor graduate students, serve on School/University committees, and actively participate in professional /scientific societies. 

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree, with at least one degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.  Evidence of successful outreach program and research productivity, and the potential to attract external funding, is required. The successful candidate will provide compelling evidence for, or potential of, outreach productivity and should have experience in:  outreach or extension education; conducting and reporting applied research; successfully mentor students; and non-traditional or on-line instruction.    The successful candidate will collaborate with other outreach and research faculty and must also demonstrate an ability and willingness to work closely with State and Federal public land management partners, Cooperative Extension Agents, private forest landowners, natural resource managers and other constituent groups.

THE STATE & UNIVERSITY:  Georgia is well-known for its quality of life, both in terms of outdoor and urban activities (www.georgia.gov). The University of Georgia (www.uga.edu) is a land/sea/space grant institution comprised of 17 schools and colleges. Enrollment is about 35,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The Warnell School is a professional school with 57 faculty, 350 undergraduates, and 190 graduate students (www.warnell.uga.edu). The School offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Forest Resources, Master of Natural Resources, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the areas of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, and Water and Soil Resources. The School has 23,000 acres (9,200 hectares) of forestland across the state for teaching, outreach and research.   The Tifton Campus (www.tifton.uga.edu) is a large and dynamic multidisciplinary, multi-agency facility in South Georgia, with strong research, extension, and teaching activities.  The campus is home to nearly 100 scientists representing seven UGA departments and several USDA-ARS units.  Tifton and Tift County has a population of over 40,000 and is an area leader in education, health care, business and industry, athletics and recreation, and the arts; and it is a center for the distribution of goods and agricultural products (www.tiftonchamber.org).

APPLICATION:  To ensure full consideration, candidates must submit a single PDF file including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of outreach and research interests, unofficial transcripts of all college-level work, copies of up to three recent publications, and contact information for three references by August 1, 2015.   University policy requires all candidates to consent to a background investigation (www.hr.uga.edu).  Finalists will be required to provide a signed consent form authorizing the University to conduct a background check.  The background investigation will be conducted on a post offer/pre-employment basis.  The starting date is negotiable, but January 1, 2016 is preferred.  Send applications electronically as a single PDF file to: Dr. Dave Moorhead (moorhead@uga.edu), Co-Chair, Forest Health Outreach Faculty Search Committee, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, GA 31793.  For questions regarding the position contact: Dr. Kamal Gandhi (kjgandhi@uga.edu) or Dr. Dave Moorhead, Co-Chairs, Forest Health Outreach Faculty Search Committee.

 The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.