Assistant Professor (Lecturer)

Details

University of Utah, College of Health
Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies

Career-Line Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Lecturer Track
The Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies at the University of Utah invites applications for a 9-month career-line, Lecturer Track recreational therapy (RT) faculty position at the Assistant Professor (Lecturer) rank to begin August 2025. We are seeking a faculty member with an earned Doctorate degree (ABD considered) and a professional background in RT. This faculty member will contribute to the advancement of the RT degree programs with expertise that will complement and expand our philosophy and mission of teaching, scholarship, and service to the university, community, and profession.

The applicant would join a group of dynamic recreational and occupational therapy faculty with diverse teaching and research interests and will have access to numerous interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Utah Health Sciences, as well as the larger University. Partnerships exist with many of the state's health care agencies, community organizations, and university programs, all of which provide opportunities for clinical education placements, service learning, and research. The university is surrounded by four major medical centers that also provide unique opportunities for student placement, collaboration, practice, and research.

The Department offers a Bachelor's Degree in Recreational Therapy accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE) standards, and a Master's of Science in Recreational Therapy. These degrees prepare students for eligibility for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC™) exam. The department also offers an accredited Masters of Occupational Therapy program and an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. Department faculty participate in the Rehabilitation Science Ph.D. program to prepare the next generation of rehabilitation scientists, and Ph.D. students from both the occupational therapy and recreational therapy professions are currently enrolled. All academic programs have a national reputation for successfully preparing future practitioners and educators to work in traditional, non-traditional, and emerging practice areas.

The University of Utah is the state's oldest and largest institution of higher education, offering over 100 undergraduate and more than 90 graduate degree programs to over 28,000 students. The University of Utah is dedicated to both its teaching and research missions and is ranked as one of the top public research universities in the nation. The area is a haven for all those who love the great outdoors. Recreation and the wonders of nature in five national parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas, one national historic site, and six national forests, are all located within a day's drive of campus. Skiing and other winter sports are available at eight world-class resorts, and year-round hiking, camping, climbing, biking, fishing, rafting, and other pleasures in the mountains and canyons of numerous forests and wilderness areas are available nearby. Salt Lake City affords easy access to a variety of cultural activities including professional ballet, modern dance, opera, symphony, theater, museums, and art galleries. The area includes a wide diversity of restaurants and cafes, bars, live music venues, nightlife, shopping, and other such services. Opportunities to enjoy professional and collegiate sports, including basketball, football, baseball, hockey, gymnastics, and soccer are also abundant.

Position Available: Assistant Professor (Lecturer) who will teach for the Recreational Therapy program in the College of Health, Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies beginning August 2025. This position is a full-time, 9-month, career-line position on the Lecturer Track.

Qualifications: A Doctoral degree with a graduate degree concentration in recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation from an accredited institution (ABD considered). The applicant must hold national certification as a CTRS® and hold or obtain upon hire a recreational therapy license in the State of Utah. Candidates should demonstrate 1) a minimum of three-years RT practice experience; 2) a record of teaching effectiveness; 3) the ability to work with health and human service agencies and build community partnerships; and 4) a strong commitment to professional service. Experience with online teaching, mentoring students, and engagement in scholarship is desirable.

Responsibilities: Teach courses in the innovative Recreational Therapy BS/BA and MS Degree programs. Mentor an entry-level (BS) and post-professional (MS) graduate students; participate in on-going program development, engage in scholarly activity in recreational therapy, and provide university and professional service.

To apply for this position, please visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/177290

Applications should include a cover letter highlighting qualifications, a current CV, and the names and contact information of three professional references.

Initial review of applications will begin on February 1, 2025, and will continue until the position has been filled.

Additional questions may be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Rhonda Nelson, at rhonda.nelson@hsc.utah.edu