Assistant Director of Outreach and Education

Overview

The Assistant Director of Outreach and Education (Program Coordinator III) will support IORT’s externally funded projects, help build and sustain strategic partnerships, lead educational programming efforts, and enhance the Institute’s digital presence. This is an exciting opportunity to help lead one of the nation’s most impactful applied research and outreach programs dedicated to outdoor recreation and tourism development. 

 

This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Director will play an integral role in shaping partnerships and educational initiatives that inform the planning and management of outdoor recreation resources. Primary duties include:

• Outreach and Education (30%) – Lead and support ongoing externally funded projects focused on creating educational materials related to outdoor recreation and tourism development and other environmental issues.
• Event Planning and Coordination (30%) – Organize the annual Basecamp Conference and Workshop, a regional gathering that fosters dialogue and collaboration in outdoor recreation and gateway community planning.
• Development Support (20%) – Contribute to fundraising and philanthropic giving campaigns to advance IORT’s mission and initiatives.
• Partnership Building (10%) – Establish and maintain relationships with landowners, local governments, agencies, and nonprofits across the region.
• Digital Communications (10%) – Support maintenance and content development for the Institute’s website and YouTube channel.

This position is fully funded for two years, with the expectation and intent to secure additional funding to support the role beyond the initial term. Continued employment is contingent upon future funding availability.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in a field related to IORT’s mission (e.g., outdoor recreation, planning, environmental studies, or related disciplines) by the date of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to impactful outreach programming tailored to a variety of audiences.
• A strong interest in working with local, state, and federal partners on outdoor recreation and public land issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading or contributing to interdisciplinary research projects.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications or technical reports.
• Familiarity with grant writing, stakeholder engagement, or strategic planning in outdoor recreation or conservation settings.

Required Documents

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 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 work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Environment and Society in the newly merged S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, uses the social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of spatial scales and to bring human considerations into natural resource and environmental management. Faculty promote people-centered solutions for sustainability transitions and climate change adaptations and deliver graduate and undergraduate education in environmental studies and social sciences, recreation resource management, and geography.  

 

The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University is a regional leader in applied research, public engagement, and workforce training for sustainable outdoor recreation and tourism. Founded alongside the nation’s first academic program in Recreation Resource Management, the Institute has been a critical resource for Utah’s land managers, policymakers, and communities for over 25 years.

Formally established by the Utah Legislature in 1998, IORT advances research, provides technical assistance, and supports evidence-based decision-making on recreation and tourism throughout the Intermountain West. Its mission includes:- Investigating the economic, social, and environmental impacts of outdoor recreation and tourism- Supporting public land managers in balancing access, conservation, and community well-being- Providing data and guidance to decision-makers at a