This position, located in Logan, Utah, is responsible for directing the Utah Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program as part of Utah State University Extension. The program staff develops, promotes, and presents PreK-12 teacher resources as a member of the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization. The program is designed to enhance the ability of teachers to increase student knowledge in agricultural literacy while meeting mandatory Utah core standards in science, social studies, nutrition, and career and technical education. This is a fiscal year (12-month), tenure-track appointment within the Applied Sciences, Technology & Education Department in the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences at Utah State University.

This position will be approximately 95% Extension, and 5% service.

• Leading and managing the Utah Agriculture in the Classroom program.
• Conducting high-quality, productive research and Extension Programming.
• Securing and implementing externally funded projects in support of Utah Agriculture in the Classroom.
• Contributing to the overall Land Grant Mission of Utah State University and goals within the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University Extension, and Applied Sciences, Technology and Education Department.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for cultivating and sustaining effective partnerships within educational environments, both formal and nonformal, as well as with agriculture-related organizations such as Utah Farm Bureau, FFA, and 4-H. They will play a key role in promoting Utah AITC at agricultural conferences, conventions, and meetings on a state, regional, and national level. The successful candidate will be required to travel statewide, delivering "train-the-trainer" agricultural literacy workshops to in-service and preservice teachers. Additionally, they will be involved in researching, developing, and testing educational resources, including grade-specific lesson plans and companion materials (maps, videos, instructional kits) that align with Utah Core Curriculum standards for PreK-12 teachers and students. Active participation in the USU Extension community and involvement in relevant departmental, Extension, college, and institutional committees are essential components of this role. The candidate is expected to collaborate and engage with interdisciplinary faculty, programs, as well as trade and professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Extension, agricultural education, or related major, e.g., career and technical education, agricultural communication.
• Three years of teaching experience in formal or nonformal settings.
• Demonstrated ability to secure grant funding and execute grant objectives.
• Demonstrated positive experiences in leading and managing people and projects.
• Evidence of ability to design, deliver, and evaluate quality educational curricula and instruction for grades PreK-12.
• Experience and/or knowledge in and about the field of agriculture, especially as it relates to socio-scientific issues, e.g., natural resources, sustainability, water, food security, genetic engineering, ecosystem and biodiversity, climate, energy, etc.
• Ability to work with diverse audiences.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, e.g., public speaking, presentations, social media postings, and online communication.
• Competency and experience with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, graphics software, and desktop publishing software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Extension, agricultural education, or related major, e.g., career and technical education, agricultural communication.
• Knowledge of current trends in education, including familiarity with Utah Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, the C3 Framework for Social Studies State
• Standards, and National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes.
• Experience with the development of online education resources and/or courses.
• Demonstrated experience in marketing programs to the educational community.
• Experience in working with development and/or advancement offices.

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. Cover letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Writing sample, e.g., lesson plan, scholarly paper to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
4. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

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.  

The Applied Sciences, Technology and Education (ASTE) department provides instruction to students seeking a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree. These innovative degree programs allow students to gain expertise in the fields of agriculture, education, management, applied sciences, business, and machinery technology. The ASTE Department coordinates teacher licensure in agricultural education; business education; family and consumer sciences education; and technology and engineering education. The mission of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences is to enhance the lives of people through education, discovery and outreach, which collectively guide the ethical and sustainable use of land, food, water, and economic resources, thereby improving the health and well-being of humans, plants, animals and the environment. 

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

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