Position Summary

Position description: The Department of Forestry, the School of Planning, Design, and Construction (SPDC) and Michigan State University Extension invite applications for a full-time, 12-month Academic Specialist focused on outreach related to mass timber construction. The successful candidate will be jointly appointed in the Department of Forestry (40%), MSU Extension (35%), and the Construction Management Program in the SPDC (25%). 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 government, industry, and conservation.

The specialist will leverage the $100M mass timber STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, currently under construction, to educate audiences in Michigan and neighboring states on mass timber construction. The specialist will: 1) integrate information on the design and construction of the STEM Facility and other mass-timber buildings, including advantages and disadvantages with respect to costs, timelines, work crews, equipment, material logistics and handling, fire safety and code, and environmental impacts; 2) educate developers and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and students on these attributes; 3) conduct outreach on mass timber to general audiences; 4) contribute to grant writing and fundraising efforts in the area of mass-timber outreach. These goals will be accomplished by serving as a resource for and providing building tours to key audiences; collaborate in offering on-site workshops; develop on-line video tours as part of a comprehensive website for the facility (see https://www.canr.msu.edu/masstimber/index ); create on-line educational materials on mass timber; provide educational information on the economic, psychosocial, and environmental benefits of wood construction and sustainable forest management; develop educational signage for the finished building; and engage in interdisciplinary research and outreach teams related to construction, forestry, community development, and climate change and carbon storage.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA.  Formally established in 1902, Michigan State’s Department of Forestry was among the first undergraduate forestry programs in the U.S. and is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The Department is a vibrant, growing, internationally recognized unit committed to interdisciplinary education, research, and extension to understand and resolve environmental and natural resource issues. The SPDC is a global leader, with diverse faculty and students, uniting four accredited academic programs related to the natural, built and virtual environment: Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban & Regional Planning. Construction Management is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. MSU Extension has a presence in every Michigan county and works to provide current information to ensure success for Michigan’s citizens, with strong programs in planning and community and economic development.

MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at http://miwin.msu.edu/.  Information about WorkLife at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/ The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

Required Degree

Bachelors -Flexible, see Required Qualifications

Desired Degree

Masters -Flexible, see Desired Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Required qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in construction, architecture, engineering, urban planning or related field OR communications, public relations, advertising, or related field; experience in the area not represented by the degree. One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in science communications, science education, public and media relations, and/or marketing and advertising; strong writing, proofreading and editing skills; experience with outreach and public presentations. A self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills who will effectively engage with diverse audiences.

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications: Master’s degree in construction OR communications or related fields; experience in grant writing and web design.

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position; b) current curriculum vitae; c) sample of relevant written and/or digital outreach products; d) summary of your experience supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in previous employment and a description of how you will contribute to our goals of inclusive excellence; and e) contact information for three professional references.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Instructions

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on March 23, 2020 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. The position start date is flexible and is targeted to begin on May 18, 2020.  Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. David Rothstein, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, phone 517-432-3353.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/23/2020

Website

for.msu.edu

Department Statement

At MSU Forestry, we agree with and support University initiatives that are designed to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive collegiate community.  We value the uniqueness that every person adds.  Faculty and staff are committed to fostering open dialogue and supportive communication.  Our mission is to generate and translate knowledge of trees, forests and associated natural and human systems to advance sustainable solutions for people and ecosystems.  We create the future of sustainable forestry through innovative research, learning and outreach.  MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University.  MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.