Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems

Date Posted: January 29, 2025
Closing Date:
March 17, 2025

Job Description: Download

Location Headquarters: This position has statewide responsibilities and may be headquartered at any of the following four locations: 1) UC ANR, Davis, CA; 2) Hansen Research and Extension Center, Camarillo, CA; 3) Hopland Research and Extension Center, Hopland, CA; or 4) Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA.

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for an Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP), Academic Coordinator III.

Purpose: The UC SAREP Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems will provide statewide leadership and oversight for outreach, technical assistance, applied research, and extension activities supporting sustainable production systems including organic, agroecological, and regenerative practices. The Associate Director will oversee administrative functions of the UC Organic Agriculture Institute (UC OAI), including supervision of UC OAI staff. This position will coordinate closely with the UC OAI Faculty Director/Organic Production Research Specialist at UC Merced to develop and support programmatic activities explicitly focused on organic agriculture and will oversee UC SAREP's Agriculture and Environment activities and staff.

The Associate Director will lead efforts to develop, implement, and communicate effective applied research, extension and education programs addressing critical needs of farmers and ranchers across multiple scales of production seeking to reduce the environmental impacts of their production practices. The Sustainable Production Systems program area within UC SAREP includes the UC OAI, the Agriculture and Environment activities, and related efforts to increase the use of sustainable on-farm production practices in California. Major themes include organic and regenerative agriculture, diversified farming systems, on-farm biodiversity, and sustainable management of inputs, with emphasis on practices that are ecologically based and contribute to biologically integrated approaches to crop and animal production. This position requires an interdisciplinary approach including fields such as integrated pest management, soil conservation, nutrient management, water conservation, groundwater management, energy efficiency, and climate smart agriculture, as well as engaging with the social and economic sciences and policy, regulatory, and incentives efforts. The Associate Director will work statewide to develop locally contextual efforts that meet the unique needs of agricultural stakeholders at a regional level. Key stakeholders include farmers and ranchers interested in sustainable and ecologically based agriculture and certified, transitioning, and aspiring organic growers, as well as crop consultants, pest control advisors, certifiers, non-profit and advocacy organizations, and public agencies, regulators, and policy makers.

The UC OAI serves as a hub for farmers, researchers, advocates, consumers and supporting industries to advance research, extension and education that assists the wide diversity of certified, transitioning and aspiring organic farmers that exists across California. The vision of the UC OAI is that more California farmers experience increased agroecological and economic benefits from organic production systems, expanding California's national leadership in organic acreage, productivity, and resiliency and improving the overall environmental quality of crop production in California.

UC SAREP is a statewide program of UC ANR with a mission for research and education supporting agriculture and food systems that are economically viable, conserve natural resources and biodiversity, and enhance quality of life and equity in California communities. We envision a farming and food system that supports resilience through diversified production, marketing, and distribution systems; values all food system workers and supports their wellbeing; contributes to the health and vitality of urban, rural and Tribal communities; uses resources in a way that protects the environment in trust for future generations; and reflects the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of California. UC SAREP supports the UC ANR Small Farms Network, UC Master Food Preservers, and UC Organic Agriculture Institute and works to find synergies and develop interdisciplinary and cross-program collaborations from production to marketing along the food supply chain.

Programmatic Responsibilities

Statewide Leadership and Strategic Vision:

Lead interdisciplinary efforts to support sustainable production practices for a diverse clientele of California farmers through outreach, extension, applied research, and technical assistance.

• Work closely with the UC OAI Faculty Director and UC SAREP Director to conduct strategic planning and visioning efforts to drive innovation and build transformative programs expanding support for organic agriculture and sustainable production systems in California.
• Develop and implement programs based on feedback from diverse stakeholders including farmers, UC ANR staff and academics, community-based partner organizations, and public agencies.
• Support and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UC OAI and UC SAREP.

Program Administration:

• Develop, implement, and coordinate evaluation and reporting of program activities and impacts.
• Supervise and mentor statewide staff and academic positions within the UC OAI, the UC SAREP Agriculture and Environment theme, and other UC SAREP positions relevant to sustainable production systems.
• Collaborate with the UC SAREP Director to coordinate team building and professional development for Cooperative Extension Advisors and Specialists, academic coordinators, and related staff working in sustainable production.
• Organize training and support for UC ANR academics and staff to build capacity to assist clientele in adopting sustainable, regenerative, organic, and ecologically based production practices.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Build capacity to support organic agriculture and sustainable production through interdisciplinary collaborations across UC SAREP programs, with UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists, and through partnerships with community-based stakeholders.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other relevant UC programs focused on sustainable agriculture, such as the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) and the UC Berkeley Food Institute (BFI).
• Build and maintain relationships with local, state, and national organizations working to develop and promote sustainable agriculture.

Grant Management and Funds Development:

• Collaborate with the UC OAI Faculty Director and UC SAREP Director to develop new sources of funding, including preparing large grant applications, engaging with philanthropic donors, and building relationships with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee large statewide contracts and grants supporting the UC OAI and research and extension on sustainable production, including coordination and reporting of multi-county efforts, budget oversight, communication with funding agencies on progress, deliverables, and success stories, and evaluation of outcomes and impacts.

Extension Communication and Public Engagement:

• Engage with stakeholders to identify research, extension, and training needs.
• Provide expertise in adult learning pedagogy and extension methods to coordinate the development of innovative approaches to outreach and education for small- to large-scale farmers interested in the use of sustainable and organic practices.
• Communicate activities, accomplishments, impacts, and program needs and updates to external stakeholders, including scientific and lay audiences.
• Synthesize research-based information and needs assessments to communicate challenges and opportunities for organic agriculture and sustainable production at a state and national level through engagement with partner organizations, policy makers, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Lead preparation of co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, and policy papers presenting best practices for supporting organic and sustainable production in California.
• Engage with policymakers, industry representatives, partner organizations, public agencies, and community leaders and stakeholders to inform local, state, and federal policies relevant to organic and sustainable production.
• Represent the UC OAI and UC SAREP on public committees, task forces, and working groups.

Counties of Responsibility. This position is focused on work across the state and will coordinate activities across multiple counties and regions. Travel to UC SAREP and UC OAI meetings and field visits to sites conducting program activities is expected.

Reporting Relationship: The Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems serves under the administrative and programmatic guidance of the UC SAREP Director.

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in the agricultural, ecological, or environmental sciences or a related field, with coursework or experience relevant to sustainable agricultural research, extension and education is required at the time of appointment. A PhD or other advanced degrees are encouraged.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated program leadership in extension, research, or a related field such as policy, community development, or adult education.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in an academic discipline relevant to sustainable production.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing program activities based on priorities expressed by diverse communities of stakeholders.
• Ability to build, support, and lead diverse teams and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
• Track record of fundraising through extramural funding and/or development opportunities.
• Effective project management skills and ability to meet measurable goals and objectives and evaluate program impacts.
• Strategic planning and visioning skills to determine new directions for program activities, funding sources, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Administrative experience including managing contract and grant budgets, reporting and evaluation, and understanding and following institutional policies.
• Supervisory experience including performance management, conflict resolution, and team building skills.
• Diplomatic skills to engage in dialogue and creative problem-solving with diverse groups of stakeholders and partners.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion both for UC ANR employees and for clientele served by UC ANR programs.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a University vehicle.
• This position has programmatic responsibilities statewide and is not remote; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters and travel to other sites based on programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours in the geographic area covered will be outlined upon hire by the UC SAREP Director.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Desired Experience

• Familiarity with inclusive educational and outreach methods relevant to the diversity of farming communities in California.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and leading successful extension programs and/or conducting applied, stakeholder-driven research.
• Experience of working across multiple disciplines in whole systems approaches that consider multiple elements of agricultural and food systems as complex coupled human and natural systems.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal policies and agencies relevant to sustainable agricultural practices.

Skills Required - UC ANR Academic Coordinator III

Technical Competence and Impact: Strong interdisciplinary understanding of food systems and on-farm agricultural production contexts, with emphasis on sustainable and integrated practices. Ability to design and assess outreach and education programs that lead to positive changes within local communities that can extend to regional, state, and national impacts and acclimate to varying circumstances. Demonstrated ability to prepare, deliver, and evaluate research collaborations, educational materials, and extension programming.

Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and virtual communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience, including communications to policy makers, funders, and other external stakeholders. Effective listening skills and ability to take responsibility for own actions, motivate others, keep commitments, and cultivate support for UC ANR. Communication skills to build relationships with diverse populations.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others in a collaborative leadership model and cross-functional team environment as well as with partner organizations and stakeholders. Ability to facilitate communication and coordination among multiple team members and related programs and collaborate with other UC ANR academics, program teams, campus-based specialists and faculty and/or others, to address priority issues for UC SAREP and the UC OAI. Ability to adapt programs and activities as stakeholder, program, and organizational needs change.

Lifelong Learning: Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional improvement.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/files/355229.pdf

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 250 UC ANR academics conduct research, extension, and education serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations, including county-based UCCE offices, 13 statewide programs and institutes, and 9 research and extension centers. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit:

• UC ANR's commitment to UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy
• UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Academic Coordinator III series and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. The step placement in this series is based on experience. For more information, please refer to the Academic Coordinator series salary scales.

The Academic Coordinator position is a three-year renewable term appointment. Performance in this position is evaluated annually, with merit actions evaluated every three years. Upon completion of a successful review, you may be reappointed for another definite term. Our intention with this definite term appointment is to reappoint based on positive performance reviews, the continuing need for the position, and funding availability.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/

How to Apply

Please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #24-29).

Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 17, 2025 (open until filled)

Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce; tavoce@ucanr.edu

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.