Assistant Professor - Extension Nutrition and Health State Specialist

The Department of Health and Consumer Sciences (HCS) in the College of Education and Human Sciences is inviting applications for a 9-month, full-time, benefit-eligible, tenure-track position with rank of Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Health. This position is supervised by the Department Head of Health and Consumer Sciences and appointment date is no later than August 2022.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

This appointment will be 75% Extension and 25% Research. The role of this position will be to develop and provide leadership to nutrition education and emerging health extension programs with emphasis on policy systems and environmental change efforts. This includes programming efforts in obesity prevention and wellness, healthy community food systems and the socio-ecological model of health. The successful candidate will establish an independent, externally-funded research program, mentor student research, and participate in service responsibilities at the university and national levels. Applications are encouraged from individuals whose research focus will complement the research focus of the department and community nutrition programming in Extension.

As a faculty member in the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences, this individual will work collaboratively with other faculty to foster the mission of the department and college, which is to develop the human potential for the purpose of enhancing individuals, and working collaboratively with the Extension Field Specialists in supporting the Food and Families Capstone.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the development of outreach programs, training, delivery and evaluation needs of Extension nutrition, health and wellness programs in collaboration with Extension Field Specialists.
• Work in partnership with other states, organizations and state agencies in preparing and implementing multi-state or multi-organization outreach programs and grant efforts.
• Have an active and defined research program focusing on community nutrition with potential for funding and publications.
• Mentor graduate students.
• Provide professional service and leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Sponsorship is not available for this position, must be eligible to work in the United States.
• PhD or equivalent in Nutrition or related field completed by date of appointment.
• RDNcredential required by date of appointment.
• Record of research publications and grantsmanship proportionate with experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel and obtain a valid SD driver’s license by date of appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful experience working with land grant university Extension programs.
• Experience conducting research and extension in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Record of successful partnerships at community, state and/or regional and national levels.
• Evidence of professional service.
• Emphasis in and understanding of education related to rural nutrition health disparities.
• Evidence of effective curriculum development skills for nutrition education programs across the life cycle.
• Evidence of effective teaching ability in delivering programs at the community level.
• Ability to interpret food and nutrition research and communicate to public and lay audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively reach and work with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in using and adapting technology in support of programmatic outreach.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

The Department of Health and Nutritional Science consists of undergraduate and graduate programs in Athletic Training, Community and Public Health, Exercise Science, Physical Education Teacher Education, Sports and Recreation Management, and Nutrition and Dietetics.  The department serves approximately 650 undergraduate majors, 100 graduate majors and 35 faculty/staff.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by October 1, 2021. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form.  This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. 

It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact Search Chair, Lacey McCormack at 605-688-4046 or Lacey.McCormack@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.