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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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

JOB SKILLS

• Ability to innovatively build significant support for program development and delivery, including fundraising through grants, gifts, and fees
• Ability to manage and monitor grant budgets, deliverables, and reporting
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of constituencies including staff, faculty, and community partners
• Ability to organize complex programs and events
• Ability to form and facilitate work of advisory committees including internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to supervise exempt, non-exempt and student employees
• Ability to work with volunteers
• Ability to develop educational materials, conduct innovative programs, and teach effectively through in-person and digital means
• Ability to communicate effectively, including written and verbal communication
• Ability to use computers, social media, and other technologies to maximize program effectiveness and efficiency