Working in collaboration with the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) Director and staff, the Belonging Specialist will work to advance research, develop resources, and cultivate partnerships across five belonging areas: age, disabilities, interfaith, LGBTQ+, and race/ethnicity. This position is critical to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that Utah women who are often overlooked experience, recommending solutions to the broader community, and providing resources that facilitate positive change. This work aligns with the overall mission and goals of the UWLP and the “A Bolder Way Forward” (BWF) initiative. This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. 

70% PARTNERSHIPS & COORDINATION

• Works with UWLP staff and BWF Belonging Advisors on strategies to expand outreach.
• Expands the contact database with partners around the state in each of the UWLP belonging areas.
• Builds relationships with partners to involve their communities in UWLP research and engage them to help disseminate research, resources, and calls to action within relevant communities.
• Connect individuals seeking connection to partners and initiatives within Utah.
• As needed, provide support to active Belonging Advisors.

30% RESEARCH & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

• Assists in collecting and analyzing qualitative data.
• Assists in writing and editing reports, as needed, about belonging topics surrounding Utah women and girls.
• Coordinates with additional belonging researchers and writers, as needed.
• Helps develop resources that explain research, policies, and best practices that further the UWLP mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in social science, women’s studies, or other related field; and two or more years of professional experience in an organization serving ethnically/racially diverse girls and/or women (nonprofit experience preferred).
• Background in reading, understanding, and synthesizing scholarly theory and literature.
• Proven experience analyzing qualitative data, and writing research findings.
• Evidence of successfully building strategic relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social science, women’s studies, or other related field; and at least four years of experience in an organization serving diverse girls and/or women (nonprofit leadership experience preferred).
• Established connections with belonging groups in Utah.
• Experience with gender and belonging research theories as well as evidence-based community action research.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build relationships with diverse organizations and engage constructively with the other members of the UWLP team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Capacity to handle and thrive with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and work independently and with a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Focuses on results by setting and meeting qualitative and quantitative goals in a thoughtful and timely manner.
• Creates an atmosphere that respects and embraces engagement of all people, ideas and backgrounds and aligns with the UWLP’s values.
• Ability to work remotely; some travel around the state will be required, as needed.
• Knowledge of and involvement in women’s efforts and groups in Utah.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

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

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. 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 a reasonable accommodation 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. 

*updated 12/2025

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, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

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:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025