Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking an Associate Director for Sustainable Production Systems to oversee outreach, technical assistance, and research in sustainable agriculture. This role involves leadership in organic and regenerative practices, administrative oversight of the UC Organic Agriculture Institute, and collaboration with various stakeholders. The position may be based at one of four locations in California, indicating it is not a remote job.
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, 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.

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.

Qualifications and Skills Required

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.

Learn more about UC ANR

University of California
Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC
ANR)

UC ANR Statewide
Programs and Institutes focus research and extension
on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC
faculty in integrated teams

UC ANR
Mission Statement

UC ANR Strategic
Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for
the work we do.

UC
SAREP

UC ANR
Public Value statements communicate how our
work makes a difference to the public.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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.

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