Job Listings

Assistant Professor of Digital Media

Company:
Utah Tech University
Job Location:
Category:
Media and Communication Studies
Type:
Full-Time
Salary: $56,000.00 - $58,000.00 Annually

Location: St. George 84770, UT

Job Type: Full-Time Faculty

Job Number: 24FAC860-1

Division: College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Department: Communication

Opening Date: 09/13/2023

Closing Date
Continuous

Position Announcement

The Communication Department at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah invites applicants for a full-time tenure-track Digital Media faculty position, with an emphasis on visual production, to begin the Fall 2024 semester. The successful candidate will bring expertise in one or more related fields, including journalism, public relations, film, or broadcasting. Special consideration will be given to those with sports broadcasting/journalism experience. Teaching responsibilities include live and streaming video production, social media production and analytics, media tools in the Adobe suite, and other media courses related to the successful candidate's specialty. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to teach occasional introductory or core courses within the Media Studies program curriculum. Tenure track faculty at UT teach a 4/4 teaching load. While the primary considerations for tenure at UT are currently teaching and service, having an active research trajectory with publications and/or conference presentations is a component of tenure and promotion. All UT full-time faculty are hired on a 30-credit load, but tenure track faculty receive six credits of release each academic year to allow for service and scholarship/creative work responsibilities.

UT is establishing itself as a regional, comprehensive university with an "open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic" mission. The humanities and social sciences are viewed as centerpieces of the "human-centered approach to problem-solving" approach that we are using to operationalize our polytechnic vision. UT's Communication Department plays an important role in fulfilling that mission. More information about the department, faculty, and its degree offerings can be found online at https://communication.utahtech.edu/. More information about Utah Tech can be found at https://utahtech.edu/.

Responsibilities
  • Teach 24 credit hours per academic year (with potential for overload or summer teaching) within the Media Studies program curriculum, usually assigned as 12 credit hours per academic semester.
  • Course assignments include teaching visual production, broadcasting, and other media courses related to the successful candidate's specialty. Additional course assignments within the Media Studies program may include Media Law and Ethics, Media Analysis and Critique, Media and Pop Culture, Social Media Campaigns, Social Media Production, or Senior Capstone.
  • Assist in the continuing growth of Media Studies programs, with the ability and willingness to adapt courses to effectively utilize existing and developing instructional technology.
  • Perform defined campus-wide faculty duties, including holding office hours, attendance at department and division meetings, and service on committees, with adherence to department, college, and university policies and procedures, as outlined in state and University policy. 
  • Consult with department colleagues, chair, and college dean in creating and proposing new curriculum. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the department chair and/or college dean.
  • Be engaged in scholarship and/or creative work that is appropriate to a teaching university (work that involves students and/or informs the candidate's teaching is especially valued).
Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or MFA in Media Studies, Mass Communication, Film or closely related field from an accredited university required. ABD will also be considered if degree will be completed by July 31, 2024.
  • A background in visual production, including social media, in professional arenas such as PR, marketing, journalism, film and/or education required; experience with media studies analytics with the ability to teach media effects and sports broadcasting preferred. Expertise in Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator is necessary; TV directing, and video animation experience is a plus. 
  • Demonstrated ability in successful teaching and technology literacy, certified in online instruction and/or willing to teach one or more courses online and/or in a blended format; finalists will be required to demonstrate competence through a teaching demonstration.
  • Ability to engage undergraduates in scholarship and creative activities, especially in ways that benefit the institution and surrounding community.
  • Eagerness and ability to engage with colleagues, staff and administrators to develop ways to improve the educational experience of UT students, both within the Communication Department and other college programs.
  • A desire to be at a teaching university, and a willingness to support all student's success.
  • Commitment to academic excellence, including utilizing computer-related technologies to enhance education methodology, and proficiency in curriculum design, program development, program evaluation, instruction, student guidance, and academic counseling.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
  • An ongoing research or creative agenda that is appropriate to a comprehensive teaching university (scholarship of pedagogy, scholarship of discovery and creative work appropriate to the position are all welcome and valued, especially work that can inform teaching).
Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service begins August 2024, with pay and benefits starting July 1, 2024. Annual salary of $56,000-$58,000, depending on qualifications and experience, with additional compensation available for optional summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, employee assistance and wellness programs, life, disability, retirement, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents. UT supports international tenure track faculty in securing the right to work legally in the US (typically H1-B visa petitions). Any support beyond the H1-B visa is considered on a case-by-case basis and is limited by available funds. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 23, 2023; position open until filled. Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload cover letter electronically. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office at (435) 652-7520. 

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our university is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to learn more about the University

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 12,000 students. We offer over 230 programs, including masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to Affirmative Action and within its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University's non-discrimination policies:
*        Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@utahtech.edu, HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
*        Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Abby DeFeo - titleix@utahtech.edu, 435-652-7731.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://titleix.utahtech.edu/ or contact:
*        U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov, 800-421-3481.
*        U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov, 303-844-5695.

The University provides key institutional information regarding Academics, Campus Safety, Student Services, Employment Laws, and other requirement items per the Higher Education Act and other consumer information requirements to perspective students, students, UT employees and prospective employees online at https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification.

Benefits

Click here to visit https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ to learn more about the wonderful benefits available to you as a Utah Tech employee!

Highlights from Utah Tech's benefits package include:
  • 14.2% retirement contribution, paid 100% by the employer (no match required), vested on day 1 of full-time employment;
  • Regular undergraduate tuition waiver (paid at 100%) for employee, spouse, and unmarried dependent children to take courses at Utah Tech;
  • Full medical, dental, and vision plans, with low employee-paid premiums, that begins on day 1 of full-time employment;
  • Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts available;
  • Employer-paid basic life insurance & disability insurance coverage from day 1 of full-time employment;
  • Generous staff leave accruals, plus 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
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