Location: Ventura,CA, USA
Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) - Academic Coordinator III (24-10)
County Locations: Ventura County, Yolo County
Date Posted: October 7, 2024
Closing Date: November 18, 2024
Location Headquarters: UC ANR, Davis, CA or Hansen Research and Extension Center, Camarillo, CA
Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for an Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP), Academic Coordinator III.
Purpose: The UC SAREP Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies will provide statewide leadership, coordination, and oversight for programs supporting local and regional food systems in California, focusing on economic opportunities for diverse farm and food businesses operating sustainable production, processing, and distribution systems. The Associate Director will lead UC SAREP's food systems programs and will direct the UC Master Food Preserver (MFP) Program, with guidance from the UC SAREP Director.
This position will support existing programs such as education and technical support for food hubs, agritourism, and institutional procurement and will pursue new opportunities to integrate statewide programming across the food supply chain, working in coordination with other Associate Directors and program leaders within an expanded statewide program. The Associate Director will enhance UC SAREP's ability to support a diversity of sustainable farm and food businesses involved in local and regional marketing, aggregation, transportation, processing, preservation, and procurement of crops and food products. This position will work to increase sustainability within California food systems, such as by decreasing food waste, supporting food sovereignty, and increasing equitable access to healthy, sustainably produced foods for local communities.
Programmatic Responsibilities
Leadership
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 meetings and field visits to sites conducting program activities is expected.
Reporting Relationship: The Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies 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 a discipline relevant to the position, such as food systems, food science, agricultural economics, nutrition, community development, agricultural business, economics, geography, agroecology, or policy, or a related field providing content expertise in marketing, aggregation, processing, preservation, and/or procurement of produce and food products is required at the time of appointment.
Additional Requirements
Desired Experience
Skills Required - UC ANR Academic Coordinator III
Technical Competence and Impact: Strong understanding of key concepts related to food systems, community and economic development, extension education, and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. 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.
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.
Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others in a collaborative leadership model and matrixed team environment. Ability to facilitate communication and coordination among multiple team members and related programs. Ability to adapt programs and activities as stakeholder, program, and organizational needs change.
Lifelong Learning: Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional improvement.
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.
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.
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 #24-10)
Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by November 18, 2024 (open until filled)
Questions?
Contact Tatiana Avoce; ...@ucanr.edu
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.
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