Opportunity

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across California.  We are committed to developing and supporting practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Initiatives (SWP/I’s) that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams to work on complex issues requiring trans-disciplinary approaches; as well as UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in counties throughout the state.

The Academic Coordinator (AC) will support program leadership of the project titled “Multifaceted Pathways to Climate Smart Agriculture through participator program development and delivery”, funded by the NIFA-USDA. The AC will serve as a point of contact and will facilitate, implement and communicate critical needs of diverse stakeholder groups including socially disadvantaged, small-scale, beginning and underserved agricultural stakeholders, large-scale farmers and ranchers, and technical service providers. The AC will work with stakeholders across the state and implement project programming through workshops and trainings, as well as by developing outreach materials such as curriculum and factsheets.. The AC will also assist program leadership in delivering and facilitating climate smart agriculture education for students. Depending on the project priorities, the AC will be expected to be flexible and assist project investigators in other components of the project as well.

Responsibilities:

• Provide expertise in adult learning and extension education methods to coordinate and facilitate workshps and trainings, problem resolution, and administration of programs and activities related to the climate smart agriculture project
• Prepare high quality written materials including curriculum, factsheets, program and project impact statements, blog posts, progress reports, briefings, executive summaries, and brochures, quarterly newsletters, and posters and presentations
• Evaluate project related extension presentations and workshops, analyze results, and prepare periodic project impact reports
• Engage with stakeholders to identify critical needs
• Build relationships and leverage resources with key partners to enhance activities related to climate smart agriculture. These partners can include the stakeholders mentioned above, as well as state and federal agencies, campus-based academics, researchers, and Cooperative Extension academics

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in the agricultural, environmental, or social sciences, with coursework or experience relevant to agricultural extension and sustainable agriculture is required at the time of appointment. 
• A strong background in extension education methods and public scientific communication.
• Desire to learn about California agricultural and basic climate smart agriculture fundamentals
• Valid driver license required to fulfill job duties
• Expectation to be available to work onsite
• Willing to actively promote diversity, equity and inclusion
• Ability to prepare and deliver communications to policy makers, funders, and other external stakeholders.
• Ability to secure and manage extramural funding.
• Prior experience working in an agricultural setting or working directly with farmers and ranchers.
• Experience communicating technical information to culturally diverse audiences.
• Experience in building partnerships and working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams and assist in implementing an outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “Applicants” (refer to position #22-65). To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by September 23, 2022 (open until filled).