Practice Assistant Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Overview
The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences (VCLS) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking applicants for an assistant, associate or full professor of large animal surgery. The position is flexible to accommodate individual professional goals and may include 70-95% teaching, 10-25% research (optional, if the candidate is interested), and 5% service. Tenure-track, professions practice-track, or part-time positions are available with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. Review of applications will begin July 1, and continue until the position has been filled. The tenure-track rank of assistant, associate, or full professor and the non-tenure track rank of professional practice assistant, associate, or full professor will be considered, depending on preference, qualifications, and experience of the successful applicant.
The candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of veterinary professionals by delivering surgical instruction in the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree curriculum. In this capacity, the candidate is also expected to develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria to measure veterinary students' level of mastery as they progress through the academic program. The candidate will also contribute to other curriculum activities associated with their expertise.
If interested, the candidate will have the potential to develop and carry out an independent, nationally recognized research program that includes mentoring students to engage in quality research with opportunities to seek external funding and publish their scholarship in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.
Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent veterinary professional degree, be eligible for obtaining licensure to practice in the State of Utah, and be a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS (LA)), the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (DECVS (LA)), or be residency-trained by a residency approved by one of these organizations. The ideal candidates should have strong skills in clinical practice and teaching of large animal surgery, demonstrated research interest and experience (for the research role), and outstanding communication skills.
This position is eligible for excellent benefits, including paid holidays, 22 vacation days/year, a 50% undergraduate tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous contribution to retirement. In addition, up to 4 day/month may be used for consulting work (for 1.0 FTE position [prorated for reduced FTE]). View more information here: https://www.usu.edu/hr/files/benefits/Benefits_Summary.pdf
Responsibilities
Position Responsibilities for Teaching:

• Deliver instruction in large animal surgery in the DVM degree curriculum including hands-on instruction in clinical skills and live animal surgery labs
• Take a leadership role in course organization and development
• Develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria in your area of instruction
• Contribute to developing the DVM degree curriculum and other curriculum activities associate with their expertise
• Opportunities to design, analyze, and publish pedagogical research

Position Responsibilities for Research (optional, if candidate is interested);

• Potential to develop and carry out a high-quality research program that includes mentoring veterinary medical, graduate and undergraduate students
• Potential to obtain extramural funding and to publish scholarship in peer-reviewed scientific journals and other outlets

Position Responsibilities for Service:

• Contribute to the department, college, university, and profession through service (e.g., serve on graduate student, curriculum, hiring, and admissions committees)

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• DVM, or equivalent degree(s)
• DACVS (LA) or DECVS (LA) board-certified or surgical residency trained veterinarian
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as a team member in a collaborative setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year as a practicing large animal surgeon (or residency-trained veterinarian)
• Experience teaching veterinary medical students in didactic or clinical settings
• Only for candidates interested in research, a demonstrated record of scholarly activity and publications within refereed scientific and/or pedagogical journals
• Additional Qualifications for Consideration for a Rank of Associate or Full Professor:
• Extensive experience in the field of large animal surgery
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching veterinary medical students in didactic and/or clinical settings
• Only for candidates interested in research, a demonstrated record of scholarly activity and publications within refereed scientific and/or pedagogical journals, with evidence of securing extramural funding.

Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
• Teaching Philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits
ADA
Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.
College/Department Highlights
The Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Large Animal Surgery will be joining the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at an exciting point of transformation. In 2022 the state of Utah approved the creation of a full four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program at USU. The CVM has received approval through its accrediting agency, the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, to admit its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025, and cohorts of 80 veterinary students in subsequent years. The new college is the only veterinary medical education program in Utah. The CVM is dedicated to providing top-tier education and training to the next generation of veterinarians. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. Join our dynamic team and contribute to shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
University Highlights
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 in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.
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 07/2026
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, 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:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
matthew.pinner@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
cody.carmichael@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
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