Agricultural Land Acquisitions Academic Coordinator II (2 positions, Fresno and Riverside Counties)

Purpose:  The Academic Coordinator will support the mission of the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program (SALC) alongside the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the Department of Conservation (DOC) by providing local and regional planning agencies, land trusts, non-profits, landowners, and other key stakeholders with input on critical land use issues, strategies, and opportunities. They will actively engage partners and provide technical expertise to support the development of SALC acquisitions and plans, and will enhance the capacity of underserved communities to apply to SALC.

 The Academic Coordinator will work in conjunction with SGC-funded technical assistance programs to identify opportunities to leverage existing resources to promote infill development, conserve agricultural land, and practice climate smart agricultural methods. Their work will inform sound land conservation planning and conservation strategy implementation that simultaneously protect productive agricultural land and biodiversity while laying a solid foundation for ecosystem and food management in the future. The goals of the program are to:

 

• Support land-use planning that emphasizes development in existing neighborhoods and protection of sustainable agricultural systems and ecological values;
• Protect agricultural lands with high food production, ecological and adaptation values through improved engagement with the SALC easement program;
• Support the development of region or county-led assessments of current and potential economic, ecological, and adaptation values of agricultural lands;
• Increase the number of SALC Planning grant and Easement Grant Applications from the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California;
• Help land trusts develop fee-title acquisition projects through which land trusts can provide land access to Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities and/or Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
• Connect farmers and ranchers to UC ANR services and resources to support the use of climate smart agricultural practices;
• Identify local/regional barriers to sustainable land-use planning and make recommendations to SGC and DOC to better address needs on the ground through capacity building and technical assistance efforts

 There is an opportunity to work collaboratively across counties.

Reporting Relationship: The academic coordinator serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)  County Director with input from the Cooperative Extension Land Use Change Specialist.

Required Qualifications

Education:  A minimum of a Master's degree in Planning, Geography, Environmental Science or related field is required at the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred: excellent organizational, management and interpersonal skills; successful project management experience in land use planning or land acquisition. Expertise in agricultural land use planning, regional food systems, sustainable agriculture and outreach and engagement is preferred.  Knowledge of the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program is also desirable.

 

Skills Required:   To be successful, Academic Coordinators require skills in the following:

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should understand key concepts related to critical land use issues in California. The candidate will be able to develop strategies, and create opportunities, to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.

Communication

Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.

 Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lifelong Learning

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement - both professionally and as a person.

                                                                                                                                           

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the California. We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.

Learn more about

• UC ANR at https://UCANR.edu
• UC ANR in Fresno County, Madera County and Tulare County
• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/
• Our Public Value statements at  https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/2016-2020_Strategic_Plan/Goal_5__Prioritize_programs_and_services/Public_values_statement/
• Affirmative Action: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Academic Coordinator II series and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications.  For information regarding the Academic Coordinator series salary scales, please refer to: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/1920/1920-adj-scales/t36-ii.pdf

 This is not an academic career-track appointment.  This position is funded for two years with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.  The performance in this position will be evaluated annually.  The merit cycle for this position will be evaluated every two (2) years.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #20-13 for Fresno, CA location and #20-14 for Riverside, CA location)

 Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 22, 2021 in the UC Recruit system.

Questions?

Contact Tatiana Avoce; email: 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

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, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

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.