Science Communication Assistant Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Utah State University Extension invites applications for a 12-month, full-time, fiscal year appointment County Extension faculty position in the Home and Community Department. This role may be appointed as tenure-track (Extension Assistant Professor) or non-tenure track (Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor), depending on academic credentials and experience. Extension faculty develop, implement, evaluate, and coordinate research-based educational programs to enhance quality of life for youth and adults. Extension faculty also recruit, train, and supervise volunteer leaders and serve as a liaison between local clientele, other resource agencies, and Utah State University administrators, faculty, and programs. This Extension position includes university responsibilities and is based in Juab County.

An office will be provided at the USU Extension office in Nephi, Utah. The estimated start date for this position is July 15, 2026. 

Rank will be commensurate with experience, qualifications and current rank. Appointment opportunities include Extension Assistant Professor (tenure track), or Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor (non-tenure track). A Master's degree is required for Extension Assistant rank. A Bachelor's degree and substantial professional experience is required for the Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor.

We welcome candidates with knowledge in one or more home and community program areas, appropriate to the county needs, including, but not limited to:

• Family and consumer sciences
• Health and wellness
• Positive psychology and solution-focused mental health
• Suicide prevention
• Food science, preservation and safety
• Diabetes education
• Nutrition
• Gerontology, human development, family studies
• Finance education
• Economic and community development
• Workforce development
• Entrepreneurship/business development
• Public health
• Social work

More information about Utah State University Extension and the Home and CommunityDepartment can be found here: https://youtu.be/XvXITaFAltE

• Provide leadership to Extension activities in the Home and Community field
• Conduct a community needs assessment to adapt and bring in programming needed to serve the community
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs for adults and youth
• Develop partnerships and employ innovative approaches to reach clientele and newaudiences
• Pursue internal and external funding to support Extension programming
• Document impacts and produce scholarly publications based on Extension programming
• Manage budgets, personnel, and volunteers
• Serve all communities across the county and support the civil rights mandate of Utah State UniversityExtension
• Serve and collaborate with other Extension County faculty and specialists, Universitypersonnel, community and government agencies, and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional Practice Track (Non-Tenure Track): Bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences, public health, nutrition, food sciences, social work, mental health, psychology, finance, business, human development, family studies, health and wellness, or related areas.
• Tenure-Track: Master’s degree in family and consumer sciences, public health, nutrition, food sciences, social work, mental health, psychology, finance, business, human development, family studies, health and wellness, or related areas.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct educational programs
• Experience in teaching adult and youth audiences
• Excellent oral and written communication skills(English)
• Ability to act as a liaison and collaborate with federal, state, university and county partners
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Juab County and within the state as required.
• Must be willing to collaborate with community leaders, partners, agencies, and USU faculty and specialists to meet diverse county and program needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in:
  
  • Program development and/or delivery related to area of expertise, as listed above or similar
• Skills in:
  
  • Using various technology platforms for the creation and deliver educationalwebinars, on-line classes, and educational videos
  • Implementing applied research and evidence-based programming
  • Grant, professional, and scientific writing, including grant management
  • Recruiting, supervising, and working with staff and volunteers
  • Marketing and community engagement through social media.
  • Public speaking and presentations.
  • Working with low-income, rural, and underserved communities
  • Bilingual communication in English and Spanish
• Willing and able to serve diverse communities and cultural needs within the county
• Prior experience with the Land Grant University System
• Knowledge of USU Extension and understanding of Juab County demographics

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. Transcript(s) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “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. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. 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.

Utah State University (http://www.usu.edu) is Utah's Land-Grant Institution with an approximate enrollment of 28,000 students. Through the Extension system, the University extends research-based information across the state. Extension faculty support elected officials and citizens in all 29 Utah counties.

Information about Nephi, Utah and Juab County can be found at the following links: https://nephi.utah.gov/ and https://juabcounty.gov/

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:

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