Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems - UC Sustainable Agricultu

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources seeks an Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems to lead statewide initiatives in sustainable agriculture, focusing on organic and regenerative practices. Responsibilities include overseeing outreach, technical assistance, and research programs while collaborating with various stakeholders. The position requires interdisciplinary knowledge across agriculture and environmental sciences and will be based at one of several specified locations in California.
Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) - Academic Coordinator III (24-29)University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Date Posted : January 29, 2025Closing Date : March 17, 2025Job 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.Position Overview 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.. click apply for full job details