Extension Service Assistant/Associate Professor - Safety and Health Extension

The Department of Safety & Health Extension within the Division for Land-Grant Engagement (DLGE) invites applications for an Extension Service Assistant/Associate Professor position. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, 12-month, non-tenure-track appointment

With the leadership of the Safety and Health Extension (SHE) Program Leader, the successful candidate will work to design, develop, implement, deliver, and evaluate educational materials, strategies, techniques, and programs that serve to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses within industries in West Virginia and surrounding states. Training will take place under the sponsorship of management, unions, associations, and the public. This position will focus on and lead efforts for safety and health training program administration, training courses, and safety and health services.

This position is fully funded through fees generated by the employee and by grants and other fees for safety and health training and services. The successful candidate will ultimately be responsible for financially supporting their total salary through a combination of fees generated from training and consulting, occupational safety, and health research, and/or educational training grants and OSHA Training Institute Education Center public and contractual courses. The successful candidate will be responsible for securing a portion of their total salary, increasing the first 3 years (25% year 1, 50% year 2, 75% year 3) and the total salary by the end of year 4.

Both in-state and out-of-state travel is required.

Responsibilities:

• Ability to work in a team setting on a variety of projects, while completing work on time.
• Teach approximately 140 hours per year of occupational health and safety classes to workers, managers, and business owners in West Virginia and the surrounding region. The primary training hours will be as an OSHA Trainer as part of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center for construction, general industry, and specialty topic areas (industrial hygiene, excavations, confined space, electrical, etc.), as well as WVU employees.
• Administer and assist safety and health training and marketing efforts for industry and contractual courses throughout the region.
• Develop curricula for classes to be taught, including assembling materials, writing handouts and manuals, developing evaluation instruments and lesson plans, creating PowerPoint slides, and hands-on and visual aids.
• Develop and author contracted educational and training materials and programs for unions, government agencies, employers, associations, other organizations, and WVU departments, in particular, facilities management departments.
• Provide technical assistance/problem-solving services as requested by client groups, including WVU departments, including industrial hygiene services (air monitoring, noise level monitoring, and ergonomics assessments), safety audits, and safety management recommendations.
• Market training and technical assistance programs, and work with other staff in the preparation of grant and contract proposals.
• Develop, write, and implement research, training, and service grant proposals and contractual agreements for the reduction of occupational injuries, illness, and fatalities.
• Prepare and submit required grant and other reports, attend grantee and other meetings and committees (University, State, Regional, and National) to fulfill responsibilities.
• Disseminate results of research through peer-reviewed journals, industry periodicals, extension white papers and fact sheets, as well as through professional conferences and symposiums.
• Establish and maintain a working relationship with other Extension and WVU faculty, state, federal OSHA, and NIOSH staff, and other professionals, as the job requires.
• Participate in "in-house" training and other technical training sessions for continuous professional development.
• Other related responsibilities as assigned.

• A master's degree from an accredited school or university is required in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, public health, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of any combination of the following:
  • Industry occupational safety and health professional (higher education facilities, general industry, construction, oil and gas, health care, manufacturing, etc.)
  • Occupational safety and health educator/trainer/researcher/academic, either in an academic setting or other occupational safety and health institution.
• Must have Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) professional certification or GSP and meet the requirements to take the CSP exam as soon as practical.
• Must have OSHA general industry and/or construction industry trainer authorization, OSHA 501 and 500 Train the Trainer Courses, or meet the prerequisites to take the courses as soon as practical.
• Strong technical and communication skills.
• Applicants must be willing and can travel as required, including overnight and out of state. Overnight travel occurs approximately 1 day per week.
• A successful applicant must be physically able to climb ladders, walk on low-sloped roofs, wear personal fall arrest equipment, and carry equipment as heavy as 50 pounds.
• Strong applicants will demonstrate experience in one or more of the following:
  • as an occupational safety and health educator/trainer
  • as an OSHA Training Institute Education Center qualified instructor
  • expertise as a safety professional in construction and/or oil and gas
  • in training curriculum development and delivery
  • conducting worksite and facility safety inspections or industrial hygiene sampling campaigns, depending on expertise and background
  • successful in obtaining research grant funding
• The position will not earn time toward tenure.

Salary: $73,000 to $88,500 commensurate with experience, professional qualifications and available funding. Position will be funded by fees generated and grants.

Application:

• Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and the search will remain open until the position is filled.
• If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be considered for the position, ALL the following information must be submitted using https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities.
  • Cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for and outlining experience and qualifications.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae including dates of employment, supervisor(s) name and contact information.
  • Three (3) references (including address, e-mail and phone) who can reflect on your professional strengths.
  • Transcripts (undergraduate and/or graduate). Degree must be conferred by start of position.

About WVU Extension

WVU Extension is a primary outreach division of West Virginia University, embracing the heart of the University's land-grant mission. WVU Extension maintains a presence and connections in communities across all 55 West Virginia counties. It assesses local needs, seeks science-based best practices to meet these needs, and delivers educational programs and resources through several formal and informal systems. These connections are critical to the design, implementation, and evaluation of Extension and community engagement programs.

WVU Extension envisions a West Virginia where all its people can reach their fullest potential. Our mission is to improve lives and livelihoods of all West Virginians. Extension's work is guided by collaboration and partnership; doing no harm; providing trusted, science-based practical education; helping people help themselves; serving all people, and exercising accountability. WVU Extension focuses on providing trusted and practical educational programs that improve health, education, and prosperity. These programs help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future.

WVU Extension is part of the National Cooperative Extension System present in every state and territory and is overseen by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It was created by Congress through the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. It is designed as a collaborative program funded through federal, state, and local match. WVU Extension also includes the Fire Service Extension (c. 1931), the Institute for Labor Studies and Research (c. 1959); the Occupational Health and Safety Extension (c. 1988), and the WVU Center for Community Engagement (c. 2021). Visit WVU Extension Service's website at https://extension.wvu.edu/ for additional information about our programs.

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.