Assistant Professor in Rural Health Promotion and Whatcom County Extension Director

DESCRIPTION

Washington State University (WSU) and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences seeks a candidate to join Extension’s Youth and Families Program Unit for the position of Assistant Professor and Whatcom County Extension Director.  This is a permanent, 12-month, full-time, career-track position based at the WSU Whatcom County Extension office in Bellingham, WA.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position is responsible for applied research, and development, delivery, evaluation and reporting of evidence-based programming with a focus on rural health promotion and will serve all of Whatcom County.  The candidate will join the statewide Youth and Families Program Unit team of approximately 23 faculty and 63 staff conducting applied research and programming related to nutrition and food safety, individual and family development, and health, wellness, and prevention.

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY

This position is responsible to the Extension Youth and Families Program Unit Director and works collaboratively with County and Tribal Directors and Extension faculty and staff across the state and on WSU campuses.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to manage a programmatic area of work as well as county director responsibilities.  Programmatic work will be driven by results of a needs assessment process targeting rural individuals, families, and communities across the county and matched to the candidate’s skills and expertise in rural health promotion.  The successful applicant will:

• As Extension County Director, serve as county department head, build and maintain relationships with other county agencies, engage with county government for planning and advisory purposes, communicate the importance of all Extension programs and their benefit to the community, manage the Whatcom County Extension office, supervise county staff, and provide leadership for operations related to fiscal and budget management and civil rights compliance.
• Conduct applied research in the areas of health, promotion, and/or prevention. This may include research on community-based research methodologies, individual and community-based programming, dissemination and implementation science, rural health, health equity, etc.
• Establish and maintain strong extramurally funded Extension and applied research programs.
• Build and maintain cooperative, respectful, trusted, and collaborative working relationships with county, regional, and statewide Extension faculty and staff; county, state, national, and tribal partners; governmental agencies, and stakeholders. 
• Participate in and provide effective and appropriate levels of service as a faculty member of Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences; Extension; and the Youth and Families Program Unit. 

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned Master’s degree in human development, psychology, sociology, prevention science, social work, public health, family and consumer sciences, evaluation, or other related field by the time of hire.
• Two years of experience delivering and/or managing health related programming in a community setting.
• Evidence of administrative and leadership effectiveness in a complex organization with responsibilities for budgeting, financial planning, personnel management, strategic planning, and critical decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding and fostering diversity, social justice, and inclusion and ability to work with a variety of diverse individuals and communities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• D. in human development, psychology, sociology, prevention science, social work, public health, family and consumer sciences, evaluation, or related field.
• Record of promising research on health programming as evidenced via scholarly products such as peer-reviewed journal articles, Extension publications, and national presentations. 
• Experience in needs assessment-driven program delivery and evaluation.
• Demonstrated resource acquisition skills and management of grants and other revenue generation. 
• Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary, collaborative programming.

 JOB EXPECTATIONS

• Reliable transportation for year-round travel is required. Mileage will be reimbursed for work-related travel at the approved state rate if using a private vehicle.  While using a private or WSU motor pool vehicle for official business, have current automobile liability insurance (meeting the requirements described in RCW46.30.020 and RCW 46.29.090) and possess a valid driver's license.
• This position works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team of Extension educators and support staff in county Extension offices as well as department-based Extension specialists and researchers.
• Extension faculty members are hired into the organization. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.
• Understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check and verification of COVID vaccination status per Washington State mandate

 SALARY

Salary is commensurate with available funding and the candidate’s academic and professional qualifications.  View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application screening begins June 10, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.  Apply at https://hrs.wsu.edu/jobs/.  Applications must include the following materials:

• Cover letter addressing how your experience meets the required and preferred qualifications for the position,
• Current Curriculum Vitae,
• Statement on contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to the university, college, and program unit mission and vision, and
• Names and contact information for three professional references.

 For questions about the position, contact Lee Anne Riddle, Search Committee Chair at lriddle@wsu.edu or 509.358.7548.

LOCATION

The WSU Whatcom County Extension Office is located in Bellingham, Washington.  Less than 20 miles south of Canada, Bellingham is home to approximately 82,000 people.  Bellingham is a harbor town and transportation center connecting Seattle and Vancouver with the San Juan Islands and Alaska.  To learn more about Bellingham, visit: https://bellingham.com/about-bellingham/.

EXTENSION YOUTH AND FAMILIES PROGRAM UNIT

The Extension Youth and Families Program Unit meets community needs by providing community-based programs, conducting applied research, and collaborating with others to create an environment where individuals can thrive in richly diverse communities.  Key programmatic areas within the unit include nutrition, food safety, youth and family development, and health and wellness.  The unit is home to 23 faculty and 63 staff and over $5 million dollars in annual extramural expenditures.

WSU EXTENSION

With 39 county Extension offices and 1 tribal location throughout the state, WSU Extension is the front door to the University.  Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life.  Extension collaborates with communities and industries to create a culture of life-long learning and is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high-quality and evidence-based, unbiased educational programs.  To learn more about WSU Extension, visit: https://extension.wsu.edu/about-extension/

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES

The College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 12 academic units, 3 Extension program units, 4 research and extension centers distributed across the state, 13 subject matter centers, and 1 tribal and 39 county Extension offices.   CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience.   Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems.  CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe.  For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1890 as Washington’s original land-grant university, Washington State University is a comprehensive land-grant university with teaching, research, and Extension missions. WSU has 11 colleges that foster scholarly achievement, and an enrollment of more than 31,159 undergraduate and graduate students on five campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett).  Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county, and online degree programs are offered worldwide.  Additional information about WSU's statewide locations can be found at https://wsu.edu/about/statewide/. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all.  Further information about WSU can be found at www.wsu.edu and https://wsu.edu/about/facts/.

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

In accordance with Washington State Governor's Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, you must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire.  People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series.  Full vaccination status or an approved accommodation will be verified prior to your first day of work.  Should you not be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation you will not be able to start employment with WSU. Information regarding vaccine verification and/or requesting a medical/religious accommodation is available at https://hrs.wsu.edu/covid-19/vax-verification/.  Please contact HRS at hrs@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521 if you have questions.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER.  Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.  WSU is committed to excellence through diversity and faculty-friendly policies including a partner accommodation program and a NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant see http://www.advance.wsu.edu.  WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens.  All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.  To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521(v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.