Assistant Professor, Extension Public Health Specialist - WVU Extension

Job Description - Assistant Professor, Extension Public Health Specialist - WVU Extension (28731)

Assistant Professor, Extension Public Health Specialist - WVU Extension - 28731

The Division for Land-Grant Engagement at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a WVU Extension Public Health Specialist. We are seeking a dynamic faculty member to help improve lives and livelihoods through Cooperative Extension’s teaching, research, and service delivery models. This twelve-month tenure-track position carries the academic rank of Assistant Professor.

The West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Public Health Specialist is a 1.0 FTE faculty assignment within Extension’s Family and Community Development program. This tenure-track position provides statewide leadership for the development, delivery, and evaluation of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences programs that address chronic disease prevention, health equity, and overall community health and well-being. This is a hybrid position with some remote work and significant on-campus, in-field, and travel requirements.

This specialist will work collaboratively across WVU Extension, the WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement, WVU Health Sciences, and other university, state and national partners to design and implement research and evidence-based public health programming. This position offers an exciting opportunity to improve health outcomes and address persistent health disparities in West Virginia and to enhance Extension’s health work. This specialist position will also provide leadership and/or support for the Extension and Division health outcome teams.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

• Programming (Teaching, Research, Service) that supports Cooperative Extension’s 2021 Health Framework
• Develop and lead statewide, research-based Extension programs in public health, with emphasis on chronic disease prevention, health promotion, and behavior change.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for county Extension faculty and provide technical support and professional development in public health programming.
• Identify and address emerging public health trends affecting diverse West Virginia communities.
• Engage in applied research and disseminate findings through Extension publications, peer-reviewed journals, and community education.
• Collaborate with faculty across WVU and external organizations to enhance programming reach and effectiveness.
• Secure extramural funding to support public health outreach and research activities.
• Ensure inclusion of underrepresented populations in all public health initiatives.

• Partner with WVU Health Sciences Center, local health departments, schools, community coalitions, and state agencies to expand the impact of Extension’s public health work.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams addressing social determinants of health.
• Serve on university, state, or national advisory boards and coalitions related to health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
• Utilize technology, media, and innovative delivery methods (e.g., social media, webinars, mobile outreach) to reach new and underserved audiences.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and report impact at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Actively participate in professional development to stay current in…