Assistant Professor / Extension Specialist in Human-Wildlife Interactions

Overview

The Department of Wildland Resources in the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources at Utah State University seeks applicants for an Assistant Professor / Extension Specialist in Human-Wildlife Interactions. Key areas of expertise include human-wildlife conflicts, urban-wildland interface, urban wildlife ecology, wildlife damage management, wetland ecology, and similar focuses within wildlife management and conservation. This tenure-track, 12-month position is based at the USU main campus in Logan. The position is 85% Extension, 10% Teaching and 5% Service. The teaching component is expected to consist of an undergraduate level course with a focus in wildlife damage management, human-wildlife conflict resolution, human dimensions of wildlife or similar (specific assignment will depend upon candidate expertise and the needs of the department). The anticipated (but negotiable) start date is August 1, 2025. Background information is available on the webpages for the Department of Wildland Resources (https://qcnr.usu.edu/wild/) and its home, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources (https://qcnr.usu.edu/). The incumbent will collaborate with other faculty in the Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, and statewide Extension offices, and will be a source of information to other Extension personnel as well as to various public and private stakeholders. The incumbent will coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to identify and implement programs that increase knowledge and awareness of wildlife management and conservation issues within the state of Utah, while working to alleviate those issues. Utah State University is home to the Berryman Institute, which is dedicated to researching and communicating strategies to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Ideally, the incumbent will partner with the Berryman Institute to develop outreach programs designed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Other potential local partners include the USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center’s Utah Station, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Responsibilities

• Function as a resource for other Extension personnel and statewide stakeholders for information and recommendations related to urban wildlife management, wildlife damage management, human-wildlife conflicts, and similar related topics
• Design, develop and deliver educational programming to assist natural resource agency personnel, city and state managers, and local communities
• Develop new core curriculum materials for use by other Extension Agents and Specialists; serve as a mentor for Extension Agents and Specialists and participate fully in Extension programs
• Conduct and publish Extension-related research
• Develop a positive working relationship with USU research faculty, particularly those that work with urban wildlife management, wildlife damage management, and human-wildlife conflicts
• Track trends, initiatives, and developments in human-wildlife interactions
• Develop an undergraduate level course in the topic of urban wildlife management, wildlife damage management, human-wildlife conflicts or similar topic, to be taught once per year
• Participate with local, state, and federal resource agencies and NGOs on advisory councils and committees, and serve on Department, College, and University committees

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD degree in wildlife ecology, wildlife management, human-wildlife conflicts, urban wildlife ecology, or related field
• Experience in, and desire to work with, diverse populations of learners and stakeholders
• Experience in organizing, developing, and delivering public presentations, events, and/or other informational and educational activities to a diverse audience
• Valid driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials. Ability to travel extensively to statewide locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with outreach program development, delivery, and impact assessment related to urban wildlife management, wildlife damage management, human-wildlife conflicts, and similar related topics
• Demonstrated ability to develop an externally-funded extension program meeting the needs of stakeholders (e.g. landowners, and county-, state- and federal-level agencies)
• Basic knowledge of western United States wildlife management, human-wildlife conflicts, and related issues.
• Experience with populations that are underrepresented in natural resource professions and in the general public
• Demonstrated ability to conduct applied research in a natural resource management context
• Demonstrated interest in community-engaged research and/or re