Faculty Employment Opportunity!

Extension Specialist
Institute for Labor Studies and Research

WVU Extension Service Community, Economic and Workforce Development Institute for Labor Studies and Research Knapp Hall Morgantown, West Virginia
Screening will begin April 18, 2008 or until position is filled.

Brief Description:

Institute for Labor Studies and Research (ILSR) faculty provide teaching, research, and service activities for the labor movement in West Virginia, as well as regionally and nationally, in collaboration with Extension and other University faculty. Typically, faculty members teach labor education courses (e.g., grievance handling) and more wide-ranging areas such as leadership skills. The successful applicant for the position of occupational safety and health specialist will develop, coordinate, and conduct educational programming, perform applied research, and provide service with emphasis on occupational safety and health issues, but he or she also may be assigned general labor education topics as the need arises. This work will be done in support of the labor movement and other clients of the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development unit (CEWD), including those of Safety and Health Extension. A certified safety professional with demonstrated success in OSHA and safety-related training is desired.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and prepare curricula for general labor education courses as well as safety and health classes, including researching the topics, developing lesson plans, assembling materials, authoring handouts and manuals, creating PowerPoint presentations and other visual aids, and developing evaluation tools and methods; 
• Teach occupational safety and health topics in support of the West Virginia labor movement;
• Provide safety and health training for both general industry and construction workers;
• Build an effective relationship with unions through tailored programming;
• Consult with unions and employers to provide assess to occupational safety and health programs and industrial hygiene needs that can be provided on a fee, contract, grant, subsidized, or free basis;
• Integrate research-based knowledge into the development and implementation of ILSR programs;
• Conduct teaching, research, and public service programs in identified priority areas;
• Evaluate the results of teaching, research, and service in terms of measurable impacts and outcomes;
• Serve as an OSHA resource for ILSR programs;
• Coordinate and conduct ILSR’s weeklong Safety and Health Summer School and related programs;
• Serve on the ILSR program team and support its statewide program initiatives such as summer programs, conferences, short courses, and research and service efforts;
• Serve as a liaison to one or more of West Virginia’s Central Labor Councils.
• Establish and maintain a working relationship with other Extension and WVU faculty; state, federal OSHA, and NIOSH staff and other professionals as the job requires.
  

For West Virginia and the Nation:

• Build relationships with stakeholders
• Provide technical information to the state and to communities
• Collaborate with individuals, groups, and government
• Be 'known' statewide as expert in area
• Operate at "cutting edge" in field
• Provide continuing education in subject area

For WVU Extension:

• Provide leadership to Extension in subject area
• Co-lead program teams
• Support county programming in subject area
• Produce/coordinate educational material
• Develop resources for Extension programs
• Provide in-service training
• Provide leadership in research
• Maintain/continuously improve quality of Extension programs
• Support organizational development

Qualifications:

• At minimum, a master’s degree from an accredited school or university in industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, or related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing teaching materials as well as strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must have or be able to obtain professional certification (CSP) within two years of being hired. 

Special Requirements:

• Ability to meet travel demands of position.
• Willingness to work flexible hour including some nights.
• Applicant must demonstrate a combination of strong technical and communication skills.
• Applicant must also demonstrate the ability to work in a team setting on a variety of projects, while completing work in a timely manner.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Required to take and pass the WVU Driver's Safety Training exam.

Salary:

• Salary range is between $54,000 to $58,000.
• Salary will be commensurate with professional qualifications.
• This is a 12-month, full-time, tenure-track position with the West Virginia University Extension Service.
• The successful candidate will be evaluated for providing a significant contribution in teaching and research and a reasonable contribution in service.

Benefits:

• 401k Retirement program with employer matching
• Annual Leave (24 days annually)
• Sick leave (18 days annually)
• Paid holidays (12+ days annually)
• Workers' Compensation
• Optional benefits:
  • Group Health, Life, and Accident insurances
  • Disability Insurance
  • Optional pre-tax benefits:
    • Child care
    • Dental care
    • Supplemental retirement programs
    • Vision care
  • Tuition Waiver (6 credit hours per semester)
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Moving expense reimbursement
• There are several additional programs and privileges.

Application Process:

• A cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for outlining experience and qualifications;
• Resume or curriculum vitae of academic training and professional experience of all academic work, must include the following information:
  • Date(s) of employment
  • Supervisor(s) names
  • Contact information
• A list of three references (including address, e-mail, phone, and fax numbers) who can reflect on the applicant's professional strengths.
• All application material must be in electronic submissions in Word format by closing date or the individual will not be considered for the position.
• Transcripts: undergraduate and graduate (unofficial copy will be accepted, no fax accepted hard copy by mail or electronic only).
• Send to EHRRecruitment@mail.wvu.edu.
• NOTE: All application material, excluding transcripts (hard copy), must be received by closing date or the individual will not be considered for the position.

Social Justice:

Equal Employment Opportunity: