Assistant Professor of Behavioral Health, Extension Specialist
Assistant Professor of Behavioral Health, Extension Specialist
Description
External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Underutilization Advertised Salary Anticipated Start Date 08/01/2026 Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings) Job Posting Date 10/17/2025 Job Closing Date Open until filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Applications: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Full consideration will be given to applications received by Nov. 31, 2025. Required materials include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and contact information for three references. Applicants have the option of submitting up to three preprints/reprints of representative publications. Direct any additional questions about the position to Dr. Diane Bales, dbales@uga.edu, HDFS Search Committee chair. Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu). USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Classification Title Assistant Professor FLSA Faculty Rank Assistant Professor Contract Type Academic (9 mo.) Tenure Status Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications Minimum Requirements: Earned doctorate degree in HDFS or closely related field (e.g., psychology, public health, gerontology, nutrition, etc.). Position Summary The Department of Human Development and Family Science within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at The University of Georgia is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Behavioral Health Education and Extension Specialist, located at the Athens campus. This position is a full-time, academic year (9-month) appointment, with a 50% Extension, 25% teaching, 20% research and 5% service effort allocation. Tenure-track faculty appointments begin August 1, 2026 and this position will be located on the Athens campus. Please refer to UGA's criteria for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure.
The UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Extension network is a trusted partner of the Georgia healthcare system, advancing prevention and health outcomes in alignment with the university's land-grant mission. Health Extension bridges the gap between clinical care and everyday life, delivering health education, prevention strategies and behavioral change support to individuals, families and communities throughout Georgia. This position is funded by the Presidential Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring Initiative and as such, a successful candidate is expected to develop and implement local, state, regional, national, and internationally-recognized programs broadly focused on behavioral health extension to improve health outcomes for individuals and families in Georgia. This hiring initiative directly supports the land-grant mission of UGA and Extension and complements the new UGA medical school's focus on rural health.
The successful candidate will collaborate with Extension Specialists in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance, USDA NIFA, Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and other established partners. The successful candidate will work with 109 FACS Extension agents and educators serving 51 counties in Georgia.
A successful candidate will show the potential to take responsibility on externally funded, peer-reviewed projects concerning behavioral health education; present research at a minimum of one national or international conference per year, and participate in service on departmental, college, and/or university committees to support education and engagement missions. In addition, a successful candidate will be expected to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Develop a robust Extension outreach program that considers the needs of Georgia Health Extension Agents and Educators and delivers programming, with measurable outcomes, to meet those needs.
Work collaboratively with university faculty and Extension colleagues in diverse subject matter disciplines to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based educational programs focused on behavioral health issues.
Develop a research program focused on contemporary allied health and behavioral health systems and write grants to secure extramural funding to support an innovative and sustainable extension and research program in Behavioral Health Education.
Provide subject matter expertise for County Extension Agents through trainings, information, and research-informed, evidence-based programs that meet identified county and statewide needs.
Publish in appropriate outlets for Extension and research audiences, including peer-reviewed journals.
Disseminate applied research results and educational materials through extension publications and other types of written, audio, and/or visual works.
Participate in graduate student mentoring and education.
Assist in other tasks as assigned by the department.
Additional Requirements The candidate must demonstrate evidence of innovative thinking, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with faculty, students, extension colleagues, and community stakeholders to develop a collaborative research and Extension program. Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification Preferred requirements include one year of experience with Extension programming or working with farmers. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies We seek a colleague with expertise in farm stress, health education delivery, prevention strategies and/or behavioral change to support individuals, families and communities.
The successful candidate should demonstrate potential for establishing a record of extramural funding, conducting research on behavioral health education topics.
Extensive practical knowledge in behavioral health topics is preferred. Physical Demands Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website. Background Investigation Policy Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.
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