Assistant or Associate Professor - Veterinarian Extension Specialist - Utah State University

Overview:

The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences (VCLS) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Veterinary Extension Specialist for a tenure-track position as an assistant or associate professor based on qualifications/experience. This position is integral to our mission of enhancing the quality of life for animals, humans, and the environment. The successful candidate will have a major focus on extension services (75%), combined with teaching responsibilities in public health and epidemiology (20%), and a minor service component (5%). This is a tenure-track position with a fiscal-year (FY), 12-month appointment, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2025. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2024, and continue until the position has been filled.

 

The incumbent in this position will work closely with CVM faculty in the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UVDL), which is a cooperative effort by the USU CVM and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). The purpose of the laboratory is to provide veterinary diagnostic services to safeguard animal health, protect the agricultural economy, and shield the public against zoonotic diseases. In these roles, the UVDL serves practicing veterinarians, personnel in regulatory state and federal governmental positions, public health officials and animal owners. Diagnostic services include pathology, bacteriology, virology, serology, and molecular-based assays. The main laboratory is located on the campus of USU in Logan, Utah, and its branch laboratory is located in Spanish Fork, Utah; together these laboratories constitute the Utah component of the national veterinary diagnostic laboratory system.

 

This position is eligible for excellent benefits, including paid holidays, vacation days (earned hours based on FTE), a 50% undergraduate tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous contribution to retirement. In addition, up to 4 days/month may be used for consulting work. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2024-2025

Responsibilities:

Extension (75%):

• Develop and implement impactful veterinary health-related programs for the general public, agricultural animal producers, and veterinarians.
• Disseminate critical veterinary health information through workshops, publications, and other outreach activities.
• Collaborate with the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to enhance animal health and food safety.
• Engage with stakeholders to identify and address pressing veterinary health-related issues.
• Generate collaborative scholarship and secure external funding to support and promote extension programming.
• Represent USU CVM animal health interests in Utah One Health initiatives.

Teaching (20%):

• Provide team-delivery of a combined epidemiology and public health course to veterinary and graduate students.
• Develop elective and/or graduate level courses commensurate with expertise and programmatic needs.
• Foster an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
• Mentor students and support their academic and professional development.

Service (5%):

• Contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities.
• Participate in professional service activities within the veterinary community.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• DVM/VMD degree (or equivalent) from an AVMA-accredited program.
• Eligibility for veterinary licensure in Utah.
• Experience educating producers and/or other professionals.
• Commitment to inclusive excellence in extension programming and teaching.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for job activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in epidemiology or public health.
• Board certification in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM) or other AVMA-recognized specialty.
• Post-DVM private practice experience.

Additional Qualifications for consideration for the Rank of Associate Professor:

• Demonstrated meritorious trajectory of scholarship, grantsmanship, and teaching.
• Established positive professional reputation in veterinary medicine, teaching, and service.

Required Documents:

Along with the application, please include:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Copies of relevant academic and professional certifications to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
4. Cover letter detailing their extension and teaching philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

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

Advertised Salary:Commensurate with qualifications, plus excellent benefitsADA:

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

College/Department Highlights:

Currently, the USU CVM participates in a “2+2” program with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and the broader Washington – Idaho – Montana – Utah (WIMU) Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine that provides instruction to 30 students in each class cohort. However, in 2022 the State of Utah approved the establishment of a full 4-year DVM degree program at USU with the goal of admitting its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025 and supporting a class size of 80 veterinary students in subsequent years. This position offers multiple opportunities for professional development in instruction, curriculum design, and innovative teaching methods.

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 Programto 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