Knoxville, TN

Position Title: Extension Specialist, Outdoor Recreation and Education

Organization: University of Tennessee, School of Natural Resources

Location: Knoxville, TN

Organization Overview: The School of Natural Resources of the University of Tennessee is here to conserve, protect, manage and restore shared natural resources. The School of Natural Resources is located in the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. They offer two exciting areas of study: the forestry major and the wildlife and fisheries major. The school also has multiple master’s degree programs and a doctoral program in natural resources. The curricula focus on a mastery learning approach, emphasizing practical, hands-on experiences. Faculty, staff, and students conduct research and Extension activities that advance the science and sustainable management of natural resources.

Position Overview: The School of Natural Resources (SNR) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) invites applications for the position of Extension Specialist in Outdoor Recreation and Education. This is an exempt, full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track, staff position. The Extension Specialist has primary responsibility for developing education and engagement programs statewide to encourage, promote, and support nature-based outdoor recreation with a focus on hunting, fishing, boating and recreational shooting. The Specialist is located in UTIA’s School of Natural Resources and is an integral part of the Institute’s initiative to create a Center for Outdoor Recreation and Economy. The position is funded by excise tax dollars collected on firearms sales through the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), focused on outdoor recreation, recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters, anglers, and target shooters, and education. The Specialist has responsibility for all aspects of the grant deliverables, including program development, delivery, and evaluation, reporting, partnership development, securing funds for continuation of the grant, and other duties as needed. The position is funded for an initial 2-year period with an expectation for perpetual funding. This position is responsible to the Director of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

Duties:

• Serves as the project leader for the overall grant that funds this and other outdoor recreation positions and initiatives

• Ensures grant compliance and accurate and timely financial and performance reporting

• Develops and delivers novel, innovative education programs in outdoor recreation to encourage and enable individuals to engage in nature-based outdoor recreation with an emphasis on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting

• Develops partnerships with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and others to encourage and promote outdoor recreation education programs

• Secures significant extramural funding through grants, contracts, and fees to support program development and delivery

• Provides leadership to outdoor recreation educators at education centers and 4-H camps statewide

• Leads the development and implementation of Tennessee Wild Child, a new initiative to provide outdoor recreation education to children through summer day-care programs with an emphasis on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting

• Develops networks within the national outdoor recreation community, particularly in the R3 arena (recruitment, retention, and reengagement of hunters and anglers)

• Coordinates curriculum development activities, to include lesson guides, tip sheets, PPTs and other visual media

• Coordinates development of implementation manuals, guides, and other educational resources to support project implementation

• Plans and conducts educational programming as needed through in-person and digital methods

• Coordinates publicity of program activities with appropriate internal units

• Coordinates web and social media communications of educational and program information to the public

• Coordinates activities with other Extension specialists in the School of Natural Resources

• Assists in selected SNR Extension activities

• Ability to engage, perform, and effectively teach the outdoor recreation activities

Qualifications:

Required:

• Master’s degree earned prior to position start date

• At least 2 years’ experience in education, outdoor recreation, natural resources management, or related field which may include experience at the graduate student level

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects through effective collaboration

• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative partnerships

Preferred:

• Terminal degree

• Experience working with diverse, multicultural groups, including racial and/or ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups

• 5 years’ experience in project management

• A deep, authentic, and personal commitment and connection to outdoor recreation

• Experience in grant coordination/management and reporting

• Experience working with Extension

• Experience working in communities

Start/End Dates: Seeking to fill by June 1st, 2024. 

Application Deadline: Review of applications begins March 1st with preliminary interviews to be scheduled on April 3rd.

How to Apply: Please apply online by clicking this link: External Applicants Internal Applicants. Submit a complete application packet which includes a 1) letter of interest, 2) a resume or curriculum vitae, 3) and official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred and proof of any professional certifications and registrations, 4) a one-page statement of Extension philosophy, and 5) names and full contact information of three professional references (PDF documents preferred). Questions regarding this position may be directed to Search Committee Chair, Ryan Sharp.