Assistant Professor Early Childhood (Birth to 5) Special Education

The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position with a specialization in Early Childhood (Birth to 5) Special partnership with Uintah School District this position will be housed at the newly created Central Cove Early Learning Center on the USU Uintah Basin campus in Vernal addition to the teaching and research responsibilities outlined below this faculty member will work collaboratively with other faculty members at the USU Uintah Basin campus to provide leadership and support to district personnel at the Central Cove Early Learning Center.

The mission of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at USU is to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities across educational independent living and employment domains by: 1) conducting research and outreach in collaboration with our community partners 2) preparing high-quality professionals; and 3) identifying implementing and disseminating evidence-based practices. We seek candidates who are committed to fulfilling this mission and who wish to join an academic community that respects and supports the individual contributions of its members as we work towards our individual and collective goals.

The major emphasis area of the position will be teaching and the successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in the departments online undergraduate and masters programs. As research will also be a part of the role statement the successful candidate will also be expected to establish an independent program of research that both sustains and elevates the departments regional and national reputation.

This is a full-time 9-month academic year position located at the USU Uintah Basin campus in Vernal UT. The position is not eligible for telework. Review of applicants will begin October 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 2027.

The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling will consider visa sponsorship. Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization (e.g. F-1 OPT/STEM OPT J-1 current H-1B) be eligible for Change of Status (e.g. F-1 J-1) or be eligible for an H-1B transfer. We do not provide sponsorship for initial overseas H-1B filings/fees.

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair Naima Bhana Lopez ( ).

• Serve as a member of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling faculty including:
• Teaching on-campus and distance undergraduate and/or graduate classes in early childhood special education
• Supervising undergraduate and graduate student field experiences
• Advising and mentoring graduate students
• Providing leadership and support to Uintah School District staff at the Central Cove Early Learning Center
• Carrying out an active line of research and publication on topics related to early childhood special education
• Collaborating in department and university program development and
• Providing service to the department university community state and scholarly discipline as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctorate in special education or a related field. ABD candidates will be considered.
• Expertise in early childhood special education.
• Direct service experience with individuals with disabilities.
• A history of positive working relationships with teachers clinicians administrators and faculty.
• Evidence of potential to be a excellent college-level teacher.
• Evidence of potential to be an effective productive scholar and researcher.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Special education teaching experience in a public school setting.
• Experience providing training and support to special education professionals and paraprofessionals within a public school setting.
• BCBA-D certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (or eligibility for certification by the end of the first semester of employment).
• Evidence of potential to obtain extramural funding for research and/or training activities.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. A curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
2. Names and contact information for three (3) professional references to be entered in the Candidate Profile
3. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling is recognized nationally for both personnel preparation and research. The Department offers special education degree programs at the bachelors masters and doctoral levels. The bachelors program prepares graduates to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities severe disabilities and/or young children with disabilities. The department offers three masters programs: a Master of Science that includes a Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) verified course sequence a Master of Education in Special Education and a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling.

The department also sponsors a unique interdisciplinary doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Disability Disciplines which includes specializations in (1) special education (2) applied behavior analysis (3) rehabilitation counseling (4) speech and language pathology (5) audiology (6) pathokinesiology and (7) disability studies. Department faculty along with colleagues from the university-affiliated Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice have a well-established record of obtaining research and training grants national and international consulting editorial work on national journals and leadership in professional organizations.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education Health and Human Sciencesis dedicated to excellence in research teaching and service activities that advance education improve health and well-being and elevate human potential across the college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and impactful student-focused graduate and undergraduate education. The college is consistently ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top Graduate Colleges of Education in the country ranking among the top 30 public institutions of higher education in 2026 and 1st in the state of Utah since 2000. The colleges programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centersincluding theSorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence Alzheimers Disease and Dementia Research Center Center for the School of the Future Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice and National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management. Faculty students and staff within the college collaborate with a broad range of community partners to facilitate community-engaged research and provide transformative experiential learning opportunities. Through dedicated teaching innovative research and meaningful engagement the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education Health and Human Sciences advances education health and well-being enriching the lives of individuals families and communities throughout Utah.

Central Cove Early Learning Center is a state-of-the-art 43500-square-foot facility designed to foster inclusive purposeful and exploratory learning experiences for up to 384 students. The center features 12 integrated classrooms two sensory rooms a Kids Kitchen a Makerspace (STEAM room) an expansive indoor playground and two inclusive outdoor playgroundsone with traditional equipment and another offering a naturalistic space for exploratory nature-based play. The hallmark of Central Cove is the collaborative support provided by on-site specialists including Early Childhood Special Education Teachers Speech-Language Pathologists and Technicians Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants a Physical Therapist a School Psychologist special education aides and skilled classroom staff. These professionals work together to embed interventions and support into daily classroom interactions through a combination of push-in and pull-out services ensuring individualized attention within an inclusive learning environment. This thoughtfully designed world-class facility reflects Central Coves commitment to nurturing childrens growth through play collaboration and meaningful relationships preparing every student for engaged learning and healthy connections with their families and peers.

As Utahs 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 nations second-oldest undergraduate research program USU prepares students to become active civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah States 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 universitys ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or .

*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 USUs non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 08/2026