Overview
The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Utah State University is seeking a part-time, hourly Program Support employee to support outreach efforts for the Instrument-based Learning for Utah’s Youth Agriculture program through a recently funded three-year NIFA FANE Project. This position plays a key role in connecting secondary education students and teachers with innovative agricultural science, STEM, and chemical/biosensing learning opportunities.
This position will coordinate student engagement activities, recruitment efforts, and statewide outreach partnerships to support high school students participating in summer certificate programs and related STEM learning experiences. The selected candidate will serve as a primary liaison with teachers, Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors, school districts, and state education partners (e.g., USU 4-H Extension) to expand awareness and participation in agricultural science and engineering pathways.
This position offers the opportunity to help shape the next generation of agricultural scientists, engineers, and STEM leaders by building meaningful pathways between high school classrooms and university learning experiences. The successful candidate will contribute to impactful statewide outreach while supporting innovative research and education initiatives at Utah State University.
This is a part-time, hourly position. This position will be reviewed and renewed on annual basis. In 2026-2027, up to $10,000 is available to cover the efforts for administrative assistance to PI for helping another project contingent on approval of future years.
For any inquiry, please send email to program director, principal investigator of FANE project, Prof. Anhong Zhou (Anhong.Zhou@usu.edu)
Responsibilities
- Coordinate daily activities for high school students participating in the summer on-campus certificate program
- Support student engagement, supervision, logistics, and communication during summer programming
- Develop and implement recruitment strategies to increase participation from Utah high school students in agricultural science and STEM programs
- Build relationships and communicate regularly with teachers and CTE directors in Utah school districts offering agriscience and agriculture programs
- Collaborate with partners, including the Agriculture Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education and the Utah STEM Action Center
- Coordinate student and Co-PI participation in STEM conferences, workshops, and outreach events across Utah
- Assist in the development of promotional and educational materials, including brochures, newsletters, and outreach communications
- Support event planning, scheduling, record keeping, reporting, and program logistics
- Maintain program communication and assist with website and outreach content updates
- Provide administrative and operational support to faculty, researchers, and project leadership
- Maintain daily base administrative assistance to PI
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of related experience OR an associate degree/vocational training
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Experience coordinating programs, events, or student activities
- Ability to work effectively with youth, educators, faculty, and community partners
- Skilled in computer use, database management, and records maintenance
- Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biological engineering, STEM education, youth development, or a related field
- Experience working with secondary education programs, CTE pathways, or youth outreach initiatives
- Familiarity with Utah agricultural education systems and STEM networks
- Experience in recruitment, educational programming, and community engagement
- Knowledge of university outreach and Extension-style programming
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please include:
- Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
- Cover letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
- Names and contact information of at least three professional references, to be entered at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary $23-30/hour ADA
Employees typically work in an office environment with periodic travel for outreach events, conferences, and school visits throughout Utah. Summer programming may include direct work with students on campus and occasional outdoor activities.
College/Department Highlights
The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering currently enrolls approximately 160 undergraduates, 40 graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.), and has 22 faculty members dedicated to advancing research and education. The new Chemical Engineering program offers an opportunity to build on this established academic community while helping shape its research directions, educational programs, and external partnerships.
Utah State University is located in a spectacular Rocky Mountain valley, just 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, a major metropolitan center. The surrounding area offers unparalleled opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation, making it an exceptional place to live and work
For additional information on the department, please consult: www.be.usu.edu
University Highlights
As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.
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, which it joined 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 it 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 hr@usu.edu.
*updated 10/26
Notice of Non-discrimination
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.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination 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 or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
matthew.pinner@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
cody.carmichael@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov
*updated 10/2025