Production Assistant jobs in Ogden, UT

Overview

The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences at Utah State University (USU) is seeking applicants for a 12-month (fiscal year) tenure-track faculty position in Food Animal Production 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 and service programs that support small acreage or small-scale animal production operations (e.g., annual gross cash farm income <$350,000), focusing on livestock meat production, such as beef cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. These programs and support services should address needs in managing animal health, welfare, nutrition, and reproduction, as well as managing farm operations (e.g., sustainable practices, waste handling, new technologies, and operation scaling). The successful candidate will also develop programs and engage in outreach to help these producers meet growing market demands through fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, creating value-added products, and expanding niche markets for the livestock industry. In addition to conducting educational outreach programs through traditional channels such as seminars, workshops, one-on-one consultations, Extension Fact Sheets, and bulletins/handbooks, newer methodologies should be utilized, such as distance education (e.g., interactive video conferencing) or electronic/social media (e.g., blogs, webinars, developing and expanding online learning courses/tools, etc.) to broaden the impact and reach of Extension training. The incumbent will be expected to remain current with innovations relevant to food animal production – particularly livestock – including interpretation of original research involving reproduction, breeding/genetics, nutrition, management, economics, etc., and determine how such novel information applies to small-scale Utah agricultural animal producers. 

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, such as ADVS 5080/6080 Beef Cattle Management and ADVS 1100 Small Scale Animal Production.  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 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.

Anticipated start of May 1st, to be negotiated with the candidate.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality leadership of Extension programming to meet the needs of Utah livestock meat producers, focusing on small acreage or small-scale animal production operations.
• Develop and implement statewide educational programs that support growing market demands for meat products, promote entrepreneurship, promote value-added meat products, and expand niche markets for the livestock industry.
• Obtain funding to support Extension programming and applied research activities.
• Publish Extension products (e.g., fact sheets, bulletins, media content) and research results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in animal 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 Ph.D. or D.V.M. degree with an emphasis in livestock production and management.
• Ability to plan and successfully conduct small-scale food animal production outreach programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form at the scientific/technical, producer, and youth 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. Applicant must obtain a valid Utah Driver's License.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends for Extension programming activities.
• Computer literacy, especially with electronic media and distance education systems.
• Experience with the Land Grant University System.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Western range livestock industry and associated environmental/political issues.
• Evidence of applying an entrepreneurial model to create/expand an innovative value-added animal products market.
• Demonstrated teaching experience.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding to support Extension programming or applied research activities.
• Skills with electronic/social media to enhance outreach (e.g., development of livestock production smartphone apps).

Additional Qualifications for 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 that are 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

Please upload the following documents in "Other Documents 1-10":

2) Cover Letter - Statement of interest

3) 1- to 2-page statement addressing Extension philosophy, experience, and/or programming ideas in small scale farming and meat animal production

4) 1-page statement addressing teaching philosophy and/or experience

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

Advertised Salary

ADA

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 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

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