Entry-Level Assistant Professor (Small Farms/Horticulture/4-H Agriculture Programs)

Department of Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Extension. Entry-level Assistant Professor (Small Farms/Horticulture/4-H Agriculture Programs).

Successful candidate for this position will be: Providing leadership to Extension activities focused in small acreage farming, horticulture, Master Gardener programs, water conservation, and 4-H Agriculture programs such as Jr.; developing, implementing, and evaluating small acreage and horticulture programs for adults; developing, implementing, and evaluating 4-H Agriculture Programs such as 4-H livestock programs for youth including 4-H volunteer recruitment and development; developing partnerships and employing innovative approaches to reach existing clientele and new audiences, such as the creation of on-line and virtual courses and use of social media platforms; working with on-campus specialists in developing applied research projects and delivering programs to clientele; pursing internal and external funding to support Extension programming; documenting impacts and producing scholarly publications based on Extension programming; managing budgets, personnel, and volunteers; partnering with and serving diverse audiences and supporting the civil rights mandates of Utah State University Extension; serving and collaborating with other Extension and University personnel, community and government agencies, and stakeholders; teaching and coordinating programs, lectures, and workshops on horticulture, gardening, small tree and bush production, vegetable production, pest management, week management and indoor plant management, as well as other agricultural and horticultural workshops; teaching and coordinating programs, lectures, and workshops with local organizations (including Healthy Kane County Foundation, Kanab Women’s Forum) to provide local producers and residents with education on horticulture, gardening, and small farming.

Courses and Programs taught and coordinated include:

• Master Gardener Class, Kane County Program: The program aims to provide science-based, college-level horticultural and gardening skills. Classes include but are not limited to basic soil science, basic botanical science, fruit tree production, small trees and bush production, vegetable production, pest management, weed management, and indoor plant management.
• Healthy Kane County Foundation Community Garden Class (501-C Organization): Gardening class series on soil, water, vegetable, and ornamental plant production. 
• Kanab Women’s Forum (horticultural workshop): Workshop for women 13 years and older residing in Kane County and the surrounding area on horticulture as part of self-care knowledge.
• Amazing Earth Fest: Workshop series on knowing amending the living environments without using destructive methods or bias theory. 
• Utah State Master Gardener Conference: Workshops and demonstrations on master gardener programming at conference hosted by the Utah Master Gardener Committee for Master Gardener coordinators and master gardeners.
• Utah Small Farm Conference: Workshops and demonstrations on budgeting, pest control, and soil health at annual conference for urban small farmers who own 5 acres or less farmland with new crops (untraditional crops like corn or hay).
• Utah Fresh Cut Flower Workshop: Workshops and demonstrations on fresh-cut flowers for wholesale, florists, and farmer’s markets for small urban flower farmers.
• Southern Utah Green Conference: Workshops and demonstrations at annual conference in St. George focusing on green energy, water-wise landscaping, and water-wise life style.

Candidates must have: A Master’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy, Extension education, or a related field; ability to plan, organize, and direct educational programs; experience in teaching adult audiences; excellent oral and written English communication skills; ability to act as a liaison between federal, state, university, and county clientele; demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member; access to reliable transportation; willingness to travel through the county and state as needed. Required skills may be earned during advanced educational studies.

Preferred qualifications include: Prior experience and knowledge about the land grant university system; experience with program development and/or delivery related to horticulture and small farm production; experience with program development and/or delivery related to the Master Gardener program; experience with program development and/or delivery related to 4-H livestock programs; experience in volunteer recruitment and development; skills and experience with implementing applied research activities; skills and experience with grant writing; skills and experience with recruiting, supervising, and working with volunteers; knowledge of diagnostic skills, including disease, insect and weed management strategies; skills and experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion of underserved audiences; skills and experience with social media; skills and experience in developing online courses; skills and experience with related organizations/agencies and fostering positive relationships with community stakeholders; ability to converse and write Spanish.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1) Resume/CV 

2) Cover Letter

3) Contact information for 3 professional references

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

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

This Assistant Professor (Small Farms/Horticulture/4-H Agriculture Programs) position is located in Kanab, Utah, which is situated in a spectacular southern Utah approximately a five hour drive south from Salt Lake City. Applications, along with a cover letter, curriculum vita, and a list of at least three references, should be submitted online at http://hr.usu.edu/jobs at the “Join Us” link. More information about this position may be obtained by contacting the Utah State University Human Resources Office, 8800 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-8800; hr@usu.edu; phone: 435-797-0216; fax: 435-797-1816. Utah State University is a Carnegie Research Doctoral Extensive University, an AA/EO employer, and has been chosen as a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Gender Equity Program recipient.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different 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. 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 7/2023

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