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Position Information

**Proposed Faculty Rank** Research Assistant Professor

**Department** 00167 - CSW Social Research Institute

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Track** Non Tenure Track

**New Position to Begin** January 1, 2026

Details

The University of Utah, College of Social Work, Social Research Institute ( SRI ) invites applications for a 12-month career-line faculty position at the rank of Research Assistant Professor to serve as the Center Director, VSWT Services. The director would have responsibilities directing and overseeing operations and strategic planning of operations and logistics functions, including transportation, storage, vendor selection, distribution, or inventory control, as well as non-manufacturing operational policies, objectives, and initiatives of a large and multifaceted area or department within the University. Supports the University of Utah’s goals and mission. Acts as a catalyst between departments, faculty, staff, students, and external entities to ensure continuity and quality of service.

The Center Director will lead the development and activities of the newly created VSWT Service Center. The Center aims to take the University of Utah’s VSWT program and its technologies nationwide. The director will carry out the mission and vision of the VSWT Center as guided by the two faculty co-administrators and the advisory board.

The Virtual Skills and Workforce Trainer ( VSWT ) platform represents a pioneering advancement in child welfare training, employing evidence-based learning approaches, virtual reality (VR), and other cutting-edge technologies to provide a robust platform for social workers to develop essential skills. By addressing the limitations of traditional training methods using a deliberate practice approach, VSWT enhances the consistency and quality of social work practices. This innovative approach addresses critical gaps in traditional training methods by offering an immersive and interactive platform for skill development where trainees can practice to competence.

This is a non-tenure track position intended to be a long-term position within the University’s Career-Line Faculty structure, with a renewable contract.

The University of Utah and the College value candidates who have experience working in settings with students from various backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Required Qualifications

+ 5+ years of experience as a leader in instructional technology for social workers, especially in child welfare.

+ Proven ability to establish connections with agency administration and other decision makers, especially in the field of child welfare education and training.

+ Business acumen, including successful entrepreneurial experience and skills.

+ Evidence of collaborative decision-making style and supportive approach to supervision of co-workers.

Preferred Qualifications

+ 10+ years of experience in adult instructional technology, including executive leadership experience.

+ Extensive knowledge of Utah’s VSWT suite of instructional technology products

+ Knowledge of the education and training needs of social workers.

+ Strategic thinking combined with attention to detail.

+ Deep understanding of higher education and child welfare policies, including accessibility compliance.

+ Bachelor’s degree or equivalency (two years of related work experience can be substituted for one year of education); plus, eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations, and effective communications skills required.

+ Master’s degree in Education, Business Administration, or related area preferred.

+ This position has no responsibility for providing care to patients.

+ Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Essential Functions: Specific

+ Lead efforts regarding national expansion and partnerships for the VSWT Service Center

+ Direct programs and projects

+ Supervise employees and contractors

+ Oversee the redesign and upkeep of the VSWT Service Center website and support materials

+ Guide the center’s communications and marketing campaigns

+ Provide insights on instructional technology products and product improvement

Essential Functions: General

+ Directs the development and implementation of operations and logistics objectives that are consistent with the University of Utah’s goals and objectives.

+ May develop logistic plans and procedures to ensure that internal university and external entities’ needs are met.

+ May be responsible for grand scale scheduling and coordination of large, multi-functional areas or departments.

+ Responsible for evaluating current and proposed systems and procedures and determining implementation of changes as needed.

+ Provides strategic direction by setting short and long-term goals, estimating budgetary requirements for staff, space and equipment planning, and implementing special projects and policies.

+ Develops strategies consistent with the University of Utah’s continuous quality improvement program.

+ Oversees all aspects of staff management including recruitment and retention of assigned staff.

+ Forecasts staffing, capital and operating budget needs in evaluating and reporting on market sensitivity, financial analysis, space utilization review, staff performance evaluation, etc.

+ Ensures customer/patient satisfaction by analyzing complaints, concerns and suggestions and providing appropriate follow-through.

+ Oversees the analysis and determination of appropriate staff mix to support customer/patient needs.

+ Ensures competency of management/supervisory staff through the development and/or presentation of educational programs and through on-going staff performance evaluation.

+ Markets and promotes new and existing programs and services to internal and external customers.

+ Participates in university-wide committees to establish customer/patient service and administrative plans and policies.

+ Facilitates cooperative and collaborative community and institutional relationships.

College, University, and Environment:

The University of Utah is a member of the exclusive Association of American Universities ( AAU ) and has been classified by the**Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education**as a Research 1 institution with an elective Community Engagement classification. As the state’s flagship university, it boasts Utah’s only academic medical center. The University is located in Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. This location offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, with ten world-class ski resorts and five national parks within hours of the city. Salt Lake City is the center of a metropolitan area with a population of approximately one million residents, has extensive arts and cultural activities, and has a major international airport with a Delta Airlines hub and direct flights to most U.S. cities and direct international flights to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Mexico City. The area has received international recognition for its light rail system, foodie culture, and downtown renewal. In 2024,**U.S News and World Report ranked Utah**at the top of their Best States rankings. Utah is home to eight federally recognized Native American Tribes, which are honored in the**University’s Indigenous Land Acknowledgement**.

The College, established in 1937, is the only institution in the Intermountain West that offers all three degrees in social work: BSW , MSW , and Ph.D. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked the College #36 in the nation, and Academic Analytics ranked the College #13 in the nation for NIH grant funding. The College houses two research centers—the Social Research Institute and the Utah Criminal Justice Center—which provide faculty and students with interdisciplinary, highly impactful research opportunities and support for the development and implementation of funded research projects. Currently, College faculty are leading a number of federally-, state-, and foundation-funded translational research projects to advance social work research and innovate evidence-based practices for vulnerable populations. The College’s Goodwill Humanitarian Building features state-of-the-art clinical training suites equipped with one-way mirrors and audio-visual technology for real-time clinical supervision and feedback.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:

https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should submit the following:

+ A letter of application detailing their interest and qualifications

+ A complete and current curriculum vitae.

+ A list of three professional references with contact information (all external to the University of Utah)

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to the Faculty Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jason Castillo, at**[email protected]**and/or (801) 585-9592. Please visit our faculty recruitment page at https://socialwork.utah.edu/imagine-more/ for more information about the College of Social Work and current and upcoming initiatives.

**Open Date** 09/30/2025

Close Date

**Open Until Filled** Yes

**Requisition Number** PRN01416CF

**Type** Faculty