Associate Director for Small Farms - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (U[...] - University of California : Job Details

County Locations: Fresno County, Ventura County, Yolo County

Date Posted: January 21, 2025Closing Date: March 10, 2025

Location Headquarters: This position has statewide responsibilities and may be headquartered at any of the following locations: UC ANR, Davis, CA; Hansen Research and Extension Center, Camarillo, CA; or 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 Small Farms, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) Academic Coordinator III.

Purpose: The UC SAREP Associate Director for Small Farms will provide statewide leadership, coordination, and oversight for small farms outreach, technical assistance, and applied research and extension activities within UC ANR and will direct the UC ANR Small Farms Network, with guidance from the UC SAREP Director. The Associate Director will join a growing team increasing access to resources, research-based extension support, and sustainable economic opportunities for small farms in California.

Administrative and Programmatic Responsibilities:

Statewide Leadership and Strategic Vision:

• Lead interdisciplinary efforts within UC ANR to support economic viability and environmental sustainability for a diverse clientele of small-scale farmers in California through outreach, extension, applied research, and technical assistance.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the UC Small Farms Network team implementing multi-county extension and technical assistance for small-scale underserved farmers.
• Lead strategic planning and visioning efforts to drive innovation and build transformative programs expanding support for small farms in California, in collaboration with the UC SAREP Director.
• Identify new directions and expand programs based on feedback from diverse stakeholders including farmers, small farms staff and academics, community-based partner organizations, and public agencies.
• Communicate activities, accomplishments, impacts, and program needs to external stakeholders.
• Support and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Small Farms Network and UC SAREP.

Grant Management and Funds Development:

• Oversee large statewide contracts and grants supporting the Small Farms Network, 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.
• Collaborate with the UC SAREP Director to develop new sources of funding for the Small Farms Network, including preparing large grant applications, engaging with philanthropic donors, and building relationships with local, state, and federal agencies.

Policy Communication and Engagement:

• Synthesize research-based information and needs assessments from county-based programs to communicate challenges and opportunities for small farms 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 small farms, needs and challenges of small farms, and research highlighting crops, production systems, economics, and policy impacts for small farms 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 small farms.
• Represent the UC ANR Small Farms Network on public committees, task forces, and working groups.

Program Administration:

• Coordinate evaluation and reporting of program activities and impacts.
• Supervise and mentor statewide staff and academic positions within the Small Farms Network.
• Collaborate with the UC SAREP Director and the Small Farms Program Manager to coordinate team building, capacity-building, and professional development for advisors, academic coordinators, and staff.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in a discipline of the agricultural sciences (such as horticulture, agronomy, plant science, agroecology, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, or weed science), environmental sciences, agricultural economics, policy, or a related field relevant to small farm agricultural production, management, economic viability, or regulatory compliance is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated program leadership in extension or in a related field such as policy, community development, or adult education.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in an academic discipline relevant to agricultural production, economics, or policy with applicability to small farms.
• 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 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

How to Apply

Please visit: and choose “applicants” (refer to position #24-01)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 10, 2025 (open until filled).

Questions?

Contact Tatiana Avoce; email: [email protected]

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.