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The Ecosystem Workforce Program is inviting applications for a new grant-contingent, non-tenure track faculty position.  The successful applicant will participate in a wide variety of social science research to support sustainable rural development in forest-based communities.  The position will involve developing, secure funding for, and conduct applied research, policy education, and other activities with the program director.  The Ecosystem Workforce Program is a grant-funded program within the Institute for a Sustainable Environment at the University of Oregon that serves rural forest communities and other people that face limited economic opportunity, political exclusion, and/or degraded landscape through applied research, technical assistance, and policy education.  EWP’s applied research is wide ranging, and includes analysis of federal forest policy, political institutions, community-forest relations, social and economic equity, collaboration, labor markets and other political, economic, and social processes which impact the well-being of rural communities in the American West. More information about the Ecosystem Workforce Program can be found at http://ewp.uoregon.edu. 

Terms of Employment

This is a grant-contingent career non-tenure track faculty position. The successful candidate will be an Officer of Research with the rank of Research Assistant or Research Associate. Initially, this position is full-time for approximately one year, with potential of longer-term extension depending on funding availability.  

Essential Functions

This position will involve conducting social science research to support community-based forestry and sustainable rural development, particularly in the American West.  The job will include developing, funding, and conducting applied research.  It will also include assisting with the management of a community-based forestry research consortium and other activities.  Job duties will include supervising students.  It may also include conducting outreach to natural resource policy makers, and development and dissemination of tools and resources to assist rural forest communities with collaboration and sustainable natural resource-based economic development.  This position will also require the incumbent to actively generate funds to support the position on an on-going basis beyond the initial contract period.   

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

·        Minimum of Master’s degree, with a strong preference for a Ph.D. in applied natural resource social science in fields such as forestry, environmental studies, public policy, geography, political science, rural sociology, history, planning, anthropology or other related fields.

·        Minimum three years of professional or educational experience with some combination of public lands policy and management, community-government relations, collaborative natural resource management, sustainable rural development, forestry or natural resource management, collaborative environment, or related field.

·        Knowledge/experience with a variety of qualitative and quantitative social science research methods and willingness and ability to learn new methods as need arises to conduct a wide variety of applied research projects. 

·        Must be willing and able to participate in grant writing and fund raising to fund position after the first year.

·        Must be willing and able to travel regionally and nationally

·        Must have excellent writing and communications skills, including ability to publish in academic and lay publications.

·        Prefer knowledge/experience of community forestry, natural resource management, or related issues in the American West.

·        Demonstrated self-motivation.

·        Strong organizational skills.

·        Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain overall program mission.

·        Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment. 

Location: University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon  

The University of Oregon has over 16,000 undergraduate students and approximately 4,000 graduate students. Of these there are 2,706 U.S. students of color and 1,175 international students. The university has an institutional commitment to diversity and multiculturalism, and actively supports this goal. The UO is known for its spirit of cooperation and collaboration, and for its ability to provide a variety of personal and professional opportunities that make a difference.  The University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon, home to more than 145,000 people and Oregon’s third largest city. Within only a few hours’ drive are the ocean beaches, lakes, rivers, national forests, high desert, and the Cascade and Coast mountain ranges. Mild winters, long growing seasons and few drastic weather changes are characteristic. 

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and will likely be in the range of $45,000 to $55,000 plus competitive benefits. 

Anticipated Start: June 1, 2008 

To Apply: Please send cover letter and curriculum vita/resume, writing sample, the names, affiliations, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references, and application cover page (http://ewp.uoregon.edu/jobs.html) via postal mail to Dorothy Bollman, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 5247 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-5247. For questions about the position, please contact the search committee chair, Cassandra Moseley, at cmoseley@uoregon.edu. 

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by March 17, 2008, but the position will remain open until filled.