University of Tennessee Extension FCS — Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Food Safety
Filed in Faculty on February 27, 2023
POSITION
Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Food Safety, Family & Consumer Sciences Department. This is a 12-Month Tenure-Track Position and 100% Extension position.
LOCATION
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, Tennessee
EFFECTIVE DATE
Screening of applicants’ credentials will begin February 6, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.
SALARY and BENEFITS
Salary will be commensurate with training and experience. Benefits include group hospitalization and life insurance; vision and dental insurance; State Employees Retirement; workers’ compensation; education, generous sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefit programs, including liberal time off for holidays and longevity pay after three years of service; reimbursement provided for official travel; no State income tax.
The position of Assistant Professor, Nutrition, is responsible to the Extension Assistant Dean and Department Head of Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS). This position will work to develop and teach effective, research- based nutrition programs across the state, which enhance the lives of Tennesseans. This position will also work collaboratively with cross-functional teams within and outside of the FCS department and the university to contribute to the mission of the FCS department, UT Extension, and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA).
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, develop and implement research-based adult and youth Extension programs in nutrition to promote safe food handling practices, healthful dietary habits, and to improve health and nutritional status among Tennesseans, including, but not limited to, Extension programs for diet-related disease prevention and management, food safety, and food preservation.
- Provide interpretation and application of current research, emerging issues, and legislation related to the above topics and utilize a collaborative team approach to guide the direction of Extension programming to address needs in Tennessee.
- Develop networks and coalitions with state, regional and national groups serving the same clientele and keep the program leadership team and county faculty aware of the networks and their resources.
- Evaluate the need, develop and revise electronic and print media, curricula, lesson plans, brochures, fact sheets and other educational materials for dissemination by county staff to targeted clientele.
- Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of state-wide programs in the above program areas; report to the appropriate state and national agencies and to program stakeholders.
- Provide leadership and technical guidance to county Extension agents/educators in the area of nutrition and food safety by phone, email, on-line training and in-service training. Technical guidance includes interpreting current research findings, needs assessments, educational strategies, evaluation methods, data collection, data interpretation, coalition building, and staff development and mentoring.
- Collaborate with Extension professionals and subject matter experts, including those within the University of Tennessee System, state agencies, and community organizations.
- Develop and maintain expertise in nutrition by publishing peer-reviewed journal articles/Extension publications, attending and presenting at professional meetings and belonging to relevant professional organizations.
- Seek internal and external resources to support and enhance programs.
- Provide service and leadership to activities within the department, the university and professional organizations as appropriate.
- Provide leadership for a program of activities which meets the needs of all eligible clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Earned doctorate or ABD in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, including other degrees such as, but not limited to, Food Science, Public Health, Community Health, and Family & Consumer Sciences
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with diverse groups and on interdisciplinary teams
- Strong organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement curricula appropriate for youth and adult audiences
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a supportive team member both in a leadership and membership role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Evidence of scholarship through scientific presentations and publications
- Evidence of good teaching skills with professionals and clientele
- Evidence of grant experience
- Training or experience in needs assessment and evaluation
- Strongly Preferred: Registered Dietitian (RD, RDN)
PREFERENCES
- Extension experience
- Food safety and/or food preservation experience
- Volunteer development experience
DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY, and COMMUNITY
UT Extension FCS (https://fcs.tennessee.edu/) is the University of Tennessee at work in the community. At the departmental level, FCS faculty use research-based information to lead programs and train field educators to help Tennesseans gain knowledge and develop confidence in making good decisions today and tomorrow. Our success in helping consumers improve their well-being results in economic benefits for individuals, families, and communities. UT FCS Extension is comprised of a supportive multi-disciplinary team of over 30 subject matter specialists, faculty and staff. Areas of expertise include Community Health, Consumer Economics, Nutrition, Human Development, and Evaluation. Join us, and your educational efforts can be used to improve the quality of life for Tennesseans!
The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. Currently, the University has approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in scholarship, learning and service and aims to enrich and elevate society. In 2015, UTK was awarded the Carnegie community engagement classification.
Knoxville is situated in a valley between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cumberland Plateau, areas of great beauty and among the most bio-diverse in the U.S. Knoxville is a city of 200,000 offering many amenities of urban life. Knoxville has a beautiful and walkable downtown, active neighborhoods, and eclectic cultural activities, restaurants, and shopping. Trip Advisor recently named Knoxville a Top Ten Destination on the Rise. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Atlanta, and Nashville.
APPLICATION and INQUIRIES
The application should include a letter addressing the required and desired qualifications stated in the position announcement, a curriculum vitae, names and contact information of three references, three confidential letters of recommendation, and a copy of transcripts showing degree(s) conferred. Applicants may apply here: apply.interfolio.com/120722. Inquiries regarding the position should be directed to the chair of the search committee: Dr. Christopher T. Sneed, (865) 974-8198 or csneed@utk.edu.
