Clinical Assistant or Associate Professor Shelter Medicine and Community Practice

Overview

This is a full-time, fiscal-year, non-tenure-track professional practice faculty appointment in the Department of Veterinary, Clinical, and Life Sciences within the Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The faculty member will be embedded at the Humane Society of Utah, located at 4242 South 300 West, Murray, Utah 84107, and will support USU’s Distributed Veterinary Teaching Program through direct clinical instruction, student supervision, and contributions to shelter and community veterinary services. The position reports to the Director of the Distributed Veterinary Teaching Program and works closely with the Humane Society of Utah Medical Director to coordinate clinical responsibilities.

Responsibilities

This position has a 40% teaching, 50% clinical veterinary service, and 10% service role split.

Responsibilities

Teaching and Clinical Training (40%)

• Serve as Instructor of Record for VM7440: Shelter Medicine, Surgery, and Community Practice, ensuring structured, supervised clinical training aligned with rotation objectives.
• Provide direct clinical instruction, supervision, and mentoring during four-week student rotations, including case-based teaching, procedural coaching, and progressive entrustment consistent with student competency development.
• Complete timely formative and summative assessments of student clinical performance using USU evaluation tools and documented feedback consistent with DVTP expectations.
• Train Humane Society of Utah veterinarians and staff involved in student supervision on USU clinical teaching expectations, evaluation standards, feedback practices, and required documentation.
• Coordinate communication with DVTP leadership regarding student clinical progress, performance, professionalism, and any required remediation.
• Promote a professional, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
• Ensure clinical experiences align with USU curriculum objectives and accreditation standards.
• Provide input on rotation structure, content, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in biannual joint steering committee meetings.

Clinical Shelter and Community Practice (50%)

• Provide veterinary medical and surgical services within shelter and community practice settings to build caseload and capacity for a student learning experience.
• Perform and supervise procedures consistent with shelter medicine standards, including spay/neuter.
• Apply population medicine principles and humane animal handling practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state veterinary laws and regulations.
• Practice in harmony with, and model, the AVMA COE accreditation standards.

Service (5%)

• Serve on departmental committees or other special projects as requested by the VCLS department head.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent degree from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• Minimum of three years of relevant clinical veterinary experience.
• Proven commitment to clinical teaching and student mentorship.
• Demonstrated professionalism, including strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills in a clinical setting.
• Eligibility to become licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Utah within 30 days of start date.
• Qualified to obtain and maintain DEA registration and any required state licenses to handle controlled substances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in shelter medicine, community practice, or population medicine.
• Prior teaching or precepting experience.
• Board certification or board eligibility in an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty applicable to shelter medicine.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• CV/Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience

ADA

The position requires the ability to perform the physical, mental, and professional activities necessary for veterinary clinical practice and student instruction, with or without reasonable accommodation. These activities may include:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Bending, kneeling, reaching, crouching, and working in confined or restricted clinical spaces.
• Safely handling, positioning, restraining, and examining animals of varying sizes, physical conditions, and temperaments.
• Moderate lifting of up to 50 pounds, as well as carrying, pushing, or pulling animals, equipment, and supplies, with assistance or mechanical support when appropriate.
• Performing veterinary procedures that require manual dexterity, fine motor coordination, visual acuity, and sustained attention.
• Using surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, computers, and other veterinary medical technology.
• Wearing personal protective equipment as required for clinical, safety, and biosecurity purposes.
• Evaluating clinical information and making timely, evidence-based medical and surgical decisions.
• Managing multiple patients, students, and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, safety, and quality of care.
• Supervising, instructing, and providing constructive feedback to veterinary students with varying levels of clinical experience.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with students, colleagues, veterinary staff, clients, adopters, and community partners.
• Responding appropriately to urgent, unexpected, or emotionally difficult situations, including animal suffering, euthanasia, resource limitations, and challenging interpersonal interactions.
• Maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, composure, and sound judgment during periods of increased workload or stress.
• Adapting to changing clinical circumstances, instructional needs, protocols, and organizational priorities.
• Working collaboratively within the reporting and operational structures of Utah State University and the Humane Society of Utah.

College/Department Highlights

Utah State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (USU CVM) and the Humane Society of Utah (HSU) share a practical, service-driven mission: improve animal health and welfare while preparing the next generation of veterinary professionals. This role is a rare chance to do two things at once: deliver high-quality, humane clinical care that matters to the community right now and help train the people who will be delivering that same kind of care for years to come. USU CVM offers the resources, stability, and collaborative culture of a land-grant institution with a strong tradition of applied education and statewide engagement; HSU brings a mission-centered, community-facing setting with meaningful caseload and daily opportunities to make a difference for animals and the people who care for them. Beyond the work itself, living along Utah’s Wasatch Front offers an exceptional quality of life—welcoming communities, strong schools, a growing food/arts scene, and quick access to year-round outdoor recreation, from hiking and biking to world-class skiing. Utah is also a gateway to some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, with renowned national parks and state parks that make it easy to take a long weekend and get temporarily lost exploring red rock, alpine trails, desert canyons, and big-sky quiet included. When the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games return in 2034, you will see the community rally, the venues come alive, and Utah welcome the world, with volunteer opportunities providing a direct way to be part of the experience. The region’s culture of civic engagement and service makes it easy to build community, put down roots, and feel that both your professional work and your daily life contribute to something larger.

As a benefitted faculty member at Utah State University—a premier land-grant institution with a statewide mission of learning, discovery, and engagement—you’ll also have access to a strong total rewards package designed to support long-term professional sustainability and work–life balance. This typically includes a university retirement contribution, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, disability coverage options, generous paid leave (including holidays, vacation, and sick leave, depending on appointment), and tuition reduction benefits that reflect USU’s commitment to ongoing professional development and education.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 07/2026

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In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | [email protected]

*updated 08/2026