UCCE Area Director Job Listing at University of California in Davis, CA (Job ID 66617)

Description

Job Description

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is seeking a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Director to provide leadership in support of applied research and outreach programs across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Our mission is to bring the resources and expertise of UC directly to Californians through research and education programs that support:

•       Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery
•       Economic success in a global economy
•       A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
•       Science literacy and youth development

Purpose: The Area Director is responsible for the coordination and overall operation of UCCE programs in cooperation with county government in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Responsibilities:

•        Act as a liaison between UCCE and County Departments, Boards of Supervisors and County Administrative Officers as appropriate
•        Understand and communicate value of UCCE impact to county partners and others
•        Oversight and administration of UCCE educational and applied research programs
•        Maintain positive working relationships with partnering public and private agencies
•        Expand collaborations and funding sources.
•        Comply with University of California and county policies.
• Partner with the Agricultural Commissioner's office in each county to build relationships and support

The Area Director oversees management of the physical plant and human resources. They will increase the visibility of UCCE through community engagement, including but not limited to, needs assessments, representing UC ANR in local and/or regional initiatives, participation in relevant policy development, and communicating the positive impacts and benefits realized by the citizens and workforce of the local counties, region and state from the activities and contributions of local UCCE programs.

UCCE is administered by the University of California, Division of Agriculture Natural Resources. UCCE brings the knowledge of University of California research through its agriculture, natural resources, youth development and nutrition programs to address local questions and to help solve local problems. UCCE academics, staff, and volunteers live and work in the communities they serve, helping identify, respond to, and resolve local challenges. UC ANR connects Californians to UC, leading the way to science-based solutions.

Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in Alameda County (Hayward) or Contra Costa County (Concord).

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $117,000.00/year to $171,500.00/year

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including vacation, sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Job Posting Close Date: 
This job is open until filled. To ensure full consideration, the first application review date will be 4/19/2024.

Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In submitting your application packet, please pay particular attention to your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement. This statement is an important part of recruitment. Why? The University of California community values diversity which embraces inclusion, and honors excellence. Scholarship, research, creativity, innovation, and service flourish when all members of the community are welcomed, supported, and respected. UC ANR's mission and public statements continue to fulfill these values. UC ANR is committed to removing barriers preventing full expression of our potential and reflecting the population of California in our academic and staff personnel, especially those who have been systematically and historically underrepresented. 

Please submit a 1-page Statement of your Contributions to DEI showing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through personal experience, professional activity, and/or service. This should include how you would ensure that all potential clientele have access and benefit from the UCCE programs in your geographic region. Please attach your DEI Statement to your CV.

Key Responsibilities:

45%

Administration

• Demonstrate and promote a commitment, provide vision, inspire, and motivate others with attitude and actions, set a high standard for excellence, and support teamwork and a positive working environment
• Secure funding and space provisions from each county in support of UCCE programs. 
• Cultivate relationships with new and existing partners, including counties, to obtain necessary resources to build new programs and expand UCCE's reach.
• Work with UC ANR development officers to increase the number of donors and average gift value to augment funding supplied by counties and other sources.
• Provide guidance, direction, and leadership for UCCE Advisors and their educational and applied research programs.
• Participate in the development of vacancy announcements, recruitment, and retention of advisors and staff.
• Demonstrate leadership toward Affirmative Action within CE promoting a culture of acceptance.
• Provide oversight for staff evaluations.
• Develop an organizational structure that optimizes the use of human resources and skills in the counties.
• Understand and uniformly apply UC and county administrative policies.
• Take disciplinary action following UC and county procedures, if necessary.
• Set and communicate reasonable deadlines to UCCE academics and staff for required reports and records.
• Provide useful and timely feedback to senior leadership and partners as needed.

20%

Communication

• Maintain effective communication between the University and county government.
• Maintain and nurture positive working relationships with UCCE academics and staff.
• Maintain positive working relationships with public and private agencies within all three counties.
• Provide active, ongoing advocacy and support for UC ANR programs,
• Represent UC as a resource and contact person to industry leaders, producers, academics in other institutions, and the general public.
• Respond in a timely way to regulatory, state and federal agencies, external groups, industry organizations and the mass media on issues related to UC ANR.
• Participate in regular Director teleconferences and in-person meetings in Davis or other locations.
• Conduct academic/staff meetings in each county on a regular schedule.

15%

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

• Provide support, advice, and motivation for UCCE advisors and staff in all three counties.
• Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations across UCCE programs.
• Convene and facilitate an Advisory Committee in each county consisting of local government, non-profits, non-government organizations, other key partners, and academics, as a sounding board for ideas and strategic planning.
• Develop collaborative relationships with County government departments, including the Agricultural commissioner and the Farm Bureau.

10%

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

• Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in in-service training, seminars, workshops, UC ANR work group and program team meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.

10%

Government Affairs

• Communicates needs, successes, and opportunities with UC ANR Government Affairs staff. Collaborate with UC ANR Government Affairs staff to build relations in state and local government.

Requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in public administration, organizational development, business administration or a related area and/or equivalent level of training and experience. Individuals with training and experience in county government, institutions of higher learning, management of applied research programs or other fields such as agriculture, natural resources, community development, and sociology will also be considered.
• Strong background in management, administration or similar experience including, but not limited to, business operations, budget and fiscal management, human resources, conflict resolution, multidisciplinary teams, project management, facilities planning, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with applied research and educational programs, and working with academics.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting volunteer and youth programs.
• Understanding of the UC ANR mission (working knowledge of agriculture, natural resources and/or healthy families and communities, Cooperative Extension, academic programs, etc.)
• Demonstrated record of skills in leadership, strategic planning, program evaluation and supervisory skills that motivate and develop staff.
• Ability to achieve goals through promoting collaboration and teambuilding.
• Ability to understand impacts of research findings and communicate them to broader audiences.
• Demonstrated effectiveness collaborating with elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and diverse interest groups.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent fiduciary and budgeting skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Doctorate degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• Must live within a commutable distance of the position headquarters during period of appointment.
• Physically be in each county one day per week for stakeholder meetings, and schedule three full days of work in each CE office monthly.
  • This is not a remote work position.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• 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.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

UC ANR 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.

This position will promote, in all ways consistent with the other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the Affirmative Action goals established by the Division.  

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, gender expression, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Internal Candidates: Review the job posting and click the internal applicant link to apply. Use the same credentials used to login to UCPath to access the internal UC ANR job postings in order to apply.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.

External Candidates:  You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Review the job posting and click the external applicant link to apply. Click the 'Register Here' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.