The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS) in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS) seeks qualified candidates for a new lecturer position in equine-assisted services.  This position is an 11-month (0.917 FTE), fiscal year, non-tenure track appointment with a role statement including 80% teaching, 15% research, and 5% service.  The successful application will fulfill a critical teaching mission for the department’s Equine Assisted Services (EAS) program and will join a multidisciplinary team of USU faculty in ADVS and USU Extension (see portfolio of programs at extension.usu.edu) working collaboratively to deliver education, community service, and applied research in equine-assisted services at the USU main campus in Logan, Utah and across the Wasatch Front. 

USU is cultivating the healing qualities of the equine and human bond by providing community engaged learning opportunities for students. Through academic courses from the ADVS Department, students gain hands-on learning experiences with horses as well as exposure to current research and industry best practices.  Equine-assisted services are provided for the community by university faculty, who are also industry-certified instructors, with the assistance of trained students, volunteers, and specially prepared horses.  The EAS program is well supported through robust infrastructure, including the new Robert A. Adams Arena at the ADVS South Farm Complex, located just 15 minutes from the USU Logan main campus.  This approximately 29,000 sq. ft. structure is large enough to accommodate dressage competitions and provides a dedicated space for delivering instruction and programming in equine-assisted services. The arena also houses a riding simulator studio to support instruction and research, one of only 10 in the country and the only riding simulator used in a university setting.

For questions regarding this position please contact Karl Hoopes at karl.hoopes@usu.edu or 435-535-5140

The successful applicant will oversee three courses that are required components of the Institutional Certificate of Proficiency in Equine-Assisted Services including:

• ADVS 2800 Riding Fundamentals for Instructors (3 credits, in person)
• ADVS 3150 Principles of Equine Assisted Interventions (3 credits, online)
• ADVS 3610 Training and Conditioning of the Lesson Horse (3 credits, hybrid)

These courses fulfill degree requirements in the department’s Equine Science and Management major as well as partially fulfill requirements for the department’s certificate in Equine Assisted Services (approval in process).  ADVS 2800, ADVS 3150 and ADVS 3610 will be offered each fall and spring term, with multiple sections as appropriate to meet student demand.  The successful candidate should also be able to instruct ADVS 1600 Riding Fundamentals I, should the department determine a need exists for added instructional effort.

Research

This position includes a minor role (15%) in research, with the intention that the successful applicant either take a leadership role or partner with Extension faculty (either in ADVS or Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Department) to manage applied research projects centered on equine-assisted services.  The faculty member in this position will be well poised to integrate experiential, community-engaged learning with applied research through collaborations with Extension faculty with programming to serve veterans, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.  The candidate should partner with these faculty to obtain robust funding for applied research and community programming with external supporters, such as the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs. 

This position is structured as an 11-month position so that the candidate may fund an additional month of summer salary each year via external grant support for applied research and community programming in equine-assisted services.

Service
The successful applicant will also provide service to the department, college, and university.  Specifically, this individual will coordinate with staff of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station to oversee care of the EAS herd, oversee and train student interns and volunteers with the EAS program, and manage EAS herd conditioning. 

Other duties may include:

• Support other program faculty in course development and delivery as needs arise
• Help with community events
• Mentor/training of students for various roles in our program
• Assist with administrative tasks
• Assist with program research projects

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Equine Science, or related field
• Master’s Degree in Agriculture Education, Extension, or Equine-related field
• Academic credit in the field of Equine-Assisted Services and holds a current instructor certification from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Association, International
• Demonstrated experience of providing adaptive riding instruction for populations with mental or physical challenges
• Research experience in the EAS field with the written and presentations skills necessary for publishing and presenting research
• Demonstrated experience in the provision of community service and supervising volunteers
• Experience and the necessary skills to provide equine instruction for our Veteran and Military Service Member population.
• Strong interpersonal skills to function successfully in a multidisciplinary team environment including flexibility, cooperation, and a solution focused outlook,
• Ability to communicate effectively with volunteers, students, donors, community members, co-workers, and administration
• Willingness to work on holidays and/or weekends and to travel as needed
• Competent in Microsoft Office or similar program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Competitive rider in any discipline with documented show experience
• Basic understanding and skills for para-dressage coaching and the ability to work towards the PATH, Intl. Advance Instructor Certification
• Event planning experience
• Three or more years of experience as a riding instructor
• Equine Facility Management certification with the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and experience caring for a therapy herd with demonstrated effectiveness in training and supervising others

Along with the online application, please attach:

1) Resume/CV

2) Cover Letter - Statement of interest. Please upload in "Other Documents 1-10"

3) Teaching philosophy or teaching statement. Please upload in "Other Documents 1-10"

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

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment.

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