Assistant or Associate Extension Professor - in Dairy Cattle Production and Management - Utah State University

Overview:

The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking applicants for an Assistant or Associate Extension Professor. This opportunity is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in Dairy Cattle Extension that will contribute to the Extension (70%), Teaching (25%), and Service (5%) missions of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS) at USU. The successful candidate will be responsible for statewide educational programs that focus on the needs of Utah dairy cattle producers and industry partners.

 

The successful candidate will be responsible for statewide educational and service programs that support Utah’s dairy industry, focusing on improving profitability and sustainability across operations of all sizes, including commercial, small-scale, and artisan producers. These programs should address key aspects of dairy production, such as animal health, welfare, nutrition, reproduction, general management practices, nutrient and manure management, and new technologies like robotic milking systems. The candidate will work closely with stakeholders throughout the state to develop and implement programs that benefit the dairy industry. In addition to traditional outreach methods, such as seminars, workshops, one-on-one consultations, Extension Fact Sheets, and handbooks, newer methodologies like eLearning (e.g., interactive video conferencing) and social media tools (e.g., blogs, webinars) will be used to expand the reach of Extension programs. The incumbent must demonstrate a passion for and knowledge of the dairy industry, the ability to work effectively with agricultural communities, and experience with Extension. Staying current with relevant research and industry innovations, they will apply these findings to Utah dairy producers and explore opportunities for vertical expansion, such as farm-level processing. The successful candidate will conduct original, applied research to address industry information gaps, collaborate with Extension faculty statewide, and publish findings in refereed journals and popular press. Competing for external funding to support these research activities will also be expected.

 

A candidate with suitable experience will be considered for the role of Dairy Programs Director, with the responsibility to coordinate dairy operations and educational programs in collaboration with the ADVS department and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. As Director, this faculty member will update and implement standard operating procedures for the Caine Dairy Teaching and Research Center, ensuring optimal daily care and management of all dairy cattle. The successful candidate will oversee infrastructure maintenance and improvements and will work closely with ADVS and UAES financial managers to maintain a fiscally responsible operating budget. The role statement for a candidate hired as the Dairy Programs Director will be 50% Extension, 25% teaching, 20% administration, and 5% service.

 

Excellence in teaching and mentorship is highly valued at USU. The successful candidate will be expected to teach ADVS courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including ADVS 5030/6030 Dairy Cattle Management. The teaching assignment will be determined based on the department's needs and the successful applicant's expertise. The candidate will also be expected

to provide undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities for experiential learning via the candidate’s Extension programming and/or applied research activities.

 

The candidate will also be expected to be involved in service activities for the department, college, and university, as well as external opportunities at the national and international level within their field (5% of service role).

 

The anticipated start date will be March 1, 2025, to be negotiated with the candidate.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality leadership of Extension programming, including support of and collaboration with Extension County Agents, to meet the needs of Utah dairy producers.
• Work with organization leaders in the Utah dairy cattle industry to assess industry needs; develop and implement statewide educational programs to address challenges that impact the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry in Utah.
• Publish Extension products (e.g., fact sheets, bulletins, media content) and research results in peer-reviewed journals.
  Leverage newer methodologies such as distance education/eLearning (e.g., interactive video conferencing) and/or electronic/social media (e.g., blogs, webinars, etc.) for Extension programming.
• Remain current with innovations relevant to the dairy industry, including interpretation of original research involving reproduction, breeding/genetics, nutrition, general management practices, nutrient/manure management, robotic milking systems, mastitis, economics, etc.; and determine how such novel information applies to Utah dairy producers at the farm level (commercial, small-scale, artisan, etc.).
• Obtain funding to support Extension programming and applied research activities.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in animal and dairy sciences.
• Provide mentorship for undergraduate and graduate students
• Collaborate broadly with scientists and professionals at USU, USU Extension, other institutions, other stakeholders, and with federal, regional, and state agencies.
• Provide service to the department, university, community, state, and scholarly discipline as appropriate.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned PhD degree with an emphasis in dairy cattle production/management (or a closely related field). Alternatively, an earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or Veterinary Medical Doctor) degree from an AVMA-accredited program with an MS (including research thesis) or PhD.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of dairy farm production systems in the Intermountain West.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form at the scientific/technical and producer levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Willingness and ability to travel/drive statewide to provide educational programming.
• Valid driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends for Extension programming activities.
• Computer literacy, especially with electronic media and distance education systems.
• Skills with electronic/social media to enhance outreach (e.g., developing dairy production smartphone apps, etc.).

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the Land Grant University System.
• Experience in the management of a dairy cattle production operation.

 

Additional Qualifications for the Rank of Associate Professor:

• Demonstrated leadership in Extension with a strong professional reputation and evidence of scholarship in Extension.
• Record of success in implementing and directing Extension programs responsive to clientele needs and issues.
• Record of success in obtaining and managing funding support for Extension activities and programs.
• Evidence of effectiveness in teaching and mentoring graduate or undergraduate students

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10"

4. 1 to 2 page statement addressing Extension philosophy, experience, and/or programming ideas in dairy cattle production to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10"

5. 1 Page statement addressing teaching philosophy and/or experience to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10"

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefitsADA:

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023