Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Specialist AP 26-07 47

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking a Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Specialist to lead the newly established Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute. The role involves conducting research, coordinating programs, and engaging with community partners to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in California. The position emphasizes addressing economic and social challenges posed by disasters, particularly for marginalized communities.
• Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Specialist (AP 26-07) University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Application Window
• Open date:

• March 10, 2026
• Most recent review date:
• Monday, Apr 27, 2026 at 11:
59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
• Final date:

• Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 11:
59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
• Position description
• Position Overview The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist at the Assistant rank.
Disasters in California-from wildfires to floods, droughts, heatwaves, and earthquakes-pose significant economic, social, and community challenges, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness.
Economically, these events inflict massive losses:
over the period 1980-2024, the state has experienced roughly 46 "billion-dollar" disasters, with total costs ranging between US $100 billion and $200 billion.
Socially, these disasters deepen existing inequalities as low-income and marginalized communities often face greater evacuation barriers, longer recovery periods, and fewer resources.
On a community level, the loss of homes, schools, shared spaces, and local businesses can erode social cohesion and disrupt networks of care and mutual support.
All of these findings reinforce the importance of investing in early warning systems, community resilience planning, equitable recovery strategies, and infrastructure designed for disaster readiness.
UC ANR, with its network of community partners and experts across the state, is uniquely positioned to facilitate this work.
To this end, UC ANR is launching the Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute (DPRI), where this position will be located administratively and organizationally.
The Specialist will be the founding Director of the Institute and coordinate the startup and programming.
They will conduct cutting-edge research, lead teams of researchers and key experts, and coordinate with partners to improve the preparedness and resilience of California's communities.
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs aimed at appropriate clientele groups in communities outside of UC campuses.
UCCE Specialists have programs primarily focused on mission-oriented research or creative work that support the university's efforts to extend knowledge, including outreach and community engagement.
Mission-oriented research encompasses the entire research continuum, extending from basic research to the application of research results.
This research is generally applied in nature and has as its goal finding solutions to problems facing society that are related to the mission of the UCCE Specialist's discipline and the UCCE mission.
UCCE Specialists publish the results of applied research in a combination of peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder-facing materials, including refereed journals, technical reports, and white papers, tailored to the needs of the audiences their programs serve.
Extension programs disseminate knowledge and information to clientele groups to help them better understand and address problems and opportunities they face.
The extension educational program serves the University's public service mission.
Educational program activities include but are not limited to collaborations with UCCE Advisors, other UCCE Specialists, campus faculty, program teams, workgroups, or clientele groups; developing and presenting educational materials; communicating to clientele through broadcast, print, or electronic media; participating in meetings with clientele; developing and presenting in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences.
Much of this work is conducted in partnership with UC ANR's locally based UCCE Advisors.
The UCCE Specialist-Advisor and faculty partnership creates an applied research network that benefits both the University and the public at large.
This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University.
Location Headquarters.
The Specialist will be based at the UC ANR headquarters, at 2801 2nd Street in Davis, CA, with the potential to explore opportunities at the California Office of Emergency Services (CAOES) headquarters in Sacramento, CA.
Position Details This critical new role will provide expertise, research, and resources to the communities, agencies, and people of California related to disaster preparedness and resilience.
The Specialist, and UC ANR DPRI, will provide expertise and engage with internal and external partners from government, business, and civic organizations.
Major duties and responsibilities for this Specialist:

• Serve as Director of the UC ANR Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute (approximately .
3 FTE).
• Collaborate with UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, and institutes, and the University of California Disaster Resiliency Network, as well as external stakeholders, to conduct applied research and disseminate research results.
External partners may include staff from federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, community-based nonprofit and civic organizations, and grassroots groups.
• Design and conduct applied research focused on disaster preparedness and resilience.
Potential areas of research include:
o Zoonotic agrosecurity o Food safety/security planning o Climate resiliency o Human pandemics and disaster response o Mental Health First Aid related to disaster response and preparedness o Disaster preparedness related to flooding, fire, drought, coastal sea rise, etc.
• Youth training and engagement in disaster preparedn.