The Department of Social Work at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure track Assistant Professor. The successful candidate will be deeply familiar with the nature of access to justice crisis, aggravating factors, and the emerging field of community justice advocate (CJA)/worker programs as one solution to the crisis. This position will complement our growing CJA program and access-to-justice efforts in Utah as we work toward building a leading research portfolio, an academic certificate and eventually a minor, and a statewide network of service providers and collaborators.
We are especially interested in scholars who can deepen our understanding of how CJA work impacts individuals and organizations they work within and how it affects the access to justice crisis in connected systems, communities, and broader society. With a focus on research, this position presents a chance to meaningfully shape the future of community justice advocate/worker programs around the country and to ground them in evidence-based practices, documenting what is effective and what is not, with regard to legal practice areas, training, management and support, and other factors. While we welcome a broad range of methods and approaches, someone who shines in quantitative analysis will be especially complementary to our existing team of researchers.
Housed in the social work department, the Transforming Communities Institute (TCI) is authorized by the Utah Supreme Court to train and certify CJAs to give limited legal help in high-need areas. TCI trains social workers and other human services professionals to serve as alternative legal service providers offering free legal triage and advice in the areas of consumer debt and housing. CJAs help community members better represent themselves in civil legal matters, assisting with understanding rights, completing court forms, drafting responses, and preparing for hearings, among other supports. Working within trusted service agencies, CJAs make Utah’s legal processes more accessible, timely, and humane for individuals who might otherwise face them alone. USU is the only university in the nation providing this kind of training for academic credit. Underscoring its commitment to the program, the social work department recently made taking a CJA course a mandatory part of the bachelor of social work degree, meaning TCI will produce about 125 CJAS annually. The Utah Judiciary is a national leader in developing access-to-justice solutions, and USU’s Department of Social Work and TCI are among the state’s pioneering organizations advancing this mission through the CJA model. The successful candidate will be a key collaborator in strengthening the program’s capacity, sustainability, evidence-base, and long-term impact.
Research is the area of excellence for this position (50%). The candidate will be expected to 1) develop and maintain a community-engaged research agenda related to access-to-justice issues and more specifically, community justice work connected to TCI; 2) mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research; and 3) secure external funding to support research activities. Teaching constitutes 40% of the role, teaching graduate and undergraduate social work courses linked to the requested areas of expertise as outlined above and to departmental needs. Finally, the candidate will provide service (10%) to the department, college, the social work and legal profession, and/or broader community.
Along with the online application, please attach:
CV 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 references to be typed at the beginning of the application
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits
Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.
This position is based in Logan, Utah. The Department of Social Work is a dynamic unit offering Bachelor’s in Social Work, Master’s in Social Work, and various minors and certificates. The department and college are committed to seeing the CJA program find continued success. The department values work that fulfills USU’s land-grant mission through education, research, and community engagement and it places high importance on accessible and quality teaching that prepares social workers with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their profession. For more information on the department, please visit our website.All team members are part of the College of Arts and Sciences, which plays an instrumental role in teaching critical thinking, knowledge-building skills and the ability to pose meaningful questions that advance understanding and knowledge. Students in our college confront the great questions and controversies, learn about the forces that have shaped our world, and develop the skills to tackle its most pressing challenges. Our graduates are creative problem-solvers with a passion for making a difference. The education they receive here prepares them to address the problems of today and to succeed wherever their career path takes them tomorrow.
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
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 office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Old Main Room 405
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322
titleix@usu.edu
(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| OCR.Denver@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov
*updated 08/2026
