Vice Provost of Research and Program Integration

Date Posted: March 3, 2025
Closing Date:
April 21, 2025

Job Description: Download

Position Overview

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) seeks a highly motivated individual with an exceptional academic record to serve as Vice Provost of Research and Program Integration.

The Vice Provost of Research and Program Integration (hereafter referred to as the Vice Provost) provides leadership and advocacy for a unified University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (hereafter referred to as UC ANR) program with strong statewide, campus, and local engagement. This senior programmatic leadership position is responsible for guiding academic programs, specifically the UC ANR Institutes, Program Areas, and Statewide Programs. The Vice Provost serves as the administrative leader for these programs, with each program leader reporting to the Vice Provost. The Vice Provost uses a transdisciplinary approach to ensure that programmatic and research priorities are advanced across UC ANR through the development and efficient deployment of resources.

Location Headquarters: UC ANR Building, 2801 Second Street, Davis, California

Major Responsibilities

LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

Administration of Program

• The Vice Provost provides leadership to an academic and staff team to ensure (a) clientele needs are assessed; (b) priority program goals are developed; (c) programs are implemented; and (d) outcomes and impacts are measured and communicated. Over time, the Vice Provost strengthens and expands the delivery of ANR programs.
• The Vice Provost encourages and explores new ideas and innovative changes, fosters positive transformation, and provides active, ongoing advocacy and support for UC ANR programs.
• Working with the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice Provost facilitates execution of UC ANR's mission, vision and strategic plan to establish programmatic priorities. The Vice Provost ensures that the statewide programs and institutes and the program teams are advancing UC ANR Research and Program priorities through procurement and efficient deployment of resources, including identification and pursuit of resource opportunities.
• The Vice Provost initiates and facilitates enhanced communication and collaboration among programs.
• The Vice Provost is responsible for program and institute personnel performance reviews and evaluations of direct reports. The Vice Provost must demonstrate effective management of personnel, including oversight, annual evaluations, merits, and promotions and work with the Vice Provost of Academic Personnel to improve staff expertise and support professional development.
• The Vice Provost serves as a member of the UC ANR Program Council which advises the UC ANR Vice President on UC ANR-wide planning and delivery of programs and develops recommendations for allocation of UC ANR resources.

Administrative Policy

• The Vice Provost understands and uniformly applies UC policies; provides useful and timely feedback; takes timely disciplinary action as per UC and county policy, if necessary; and works with team members to meet deadlines for required records and reports.

Budget and Funding

• The Vice Provost helps secure resources and other support; effectively manages and equitably allocates resources among programs to address established priorities; monitors the use of resources and complies with all relevant policies; maintains effective working relationships with internal and external partners to form strong support networks for UC ANR; and reports on programmatic impacts to funding partners and agencies.

Human Resources (includes Diversity, Health and Safety, and Principles of Community)

• Interpersonal Relationships: The Vice Provost listens and communicates effectively; takes responsibility for his/her own actions; motivates others; keeps commitments; and cultivates political and industry support for UC ANR.
• Academic, Research, and Administrative Staff: The Vice Provost demonstrates concern for all staff; effectively manages all direct reports via personnel supervision, oversight, annual evaluations, merits and promotions, and takes appropriate disciplinary actions; makes effective use of staff expertise to strengthen the team; and invests in improving all staff expertise and supporting professional development, onboarding, and mentoring of program leaders. Direct reports include the directors of statewide programs and institutes and the program area chairs.

Advocacy and Communication

• The Vice Provost actively advocates for UC ANR program awareness and support.
• The Vice Provost serves the California public by participating in activities of public agencies and organizations.

Technical Competence and Impact

• The Vice Provost contributes leadership expertise as opportunities arise, although main contribution comes from helping groups within UC ANR have focus and impact.

Collaboration, Teamwork & Flexibility

• The Vice Provost collaborates closely with the AVP, Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Development, and the Executive Director of Human Resources to organize the broad array of activities and efforts within UC ANR into a cohesive integrated system.
• The Vice Provost works with the Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Development to guide UC ANR academics to address priority issues for UC ANR in collaboration with the Directors of County Cooperative Extension and the Research and Extension Center System.
• The Vice Provost will perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Development & Lifelong Learning

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

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION /DEI

• Comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and all University policies regarding affirmative action, including prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, medical condition, ancestry or marital status.
• Promote, in all ways consistent with other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the affirmative action goals established by UC ANR.
• Take all measures necessary to assure that any employee or volunteer workers supervised by this position fulfill their affirmative action responsibilities.
• Identify any barriers to clientele participation related to ethnicity, gender, or other characteristic of concern under the University's affirmative action policies, and take corrective action as needed to remove such barriers.

Reporting Relationship: The Vice Provost reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Research and Cooperative Extension (AVP).

Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in disciplines related to agriculture, natural resources, or related human resources programs, is required at the time of appointment.

• Demonstrated organizational and management skills with abilities to facilitate and conduct group processes
• Demonstrated ability to supervise academic and staff employees is required. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are required. A minimum of five years of experience managing multidisciplinary academic programs and the ability to analyze and interpret UC and UC ANR policies and procedures are desirable. Experience in the land grant system or a structure similar to UC is highly desirable. Skills to communicate effectively in a second language are desirable.
• The position requires the ability to handle complex UC ANR responsibilities with autonomy. Experience in leading a large multifaceted organization is essential, including extensive experience in management of multiple programs, personnel and budgets. Incumbent must have demonstrated exceptional organizational, people, and decision-making skills as well as planning and prioritization experience. Strong understanding of Cooperative Extension and the Land Grant mission. Extensive state and national travel are required.

• 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 a valid California Driver's License to drive a university vehicle.
• This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to work onsite. In accordance with UC ANR Flexible Work Guidelines flexible work agreements are available upon approval by supervisors and periodic re-evaluation.
• A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.

SKILLS REQUIRED

To be successful requires skills in the following areas:

• The ability to exercise independent judgment to integrate resources, policies, and information to develop equitable policies and procedures is required.
• The ability to analyze and interpret UC and UC ANR policies and procedures is essential.
• The successful applicant must have outstanding data collection and reporting skills and will set direction for continuous improvement, increasing UC ANR's reach to all California residents, and enhancing programmatic impact by building programs that lead to academic success.
• Strong attention to detail, high accuracy, solid quality and sound organizational skills.
• Technical Competence and Impact
• The candidate should have a deep understanding of key concepts related to management and evaluation.

Communication

• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral and interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Public speaking is a routine part of this position.
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.

Lifelong Learning

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement. The ability to shift program focus as times and organizational needs change.

To be successful, an Academic Administrator requires skills in the following:

Professional Competence: All UC ANR CE academic administrators are required to demonstrate professional competence in their administrative areas. Professional competence includes participation in training activities to enhance professional development, such as administrative training, professional conferences, or workshops. Professional competence also includes activities that reflect professional standing within the administrative area, such as presenting at conferences or workshops or holding offices in peer groups.

University and Public Service: All UC ANR academic administrators are required to actively serve the University, as well as the public. University service may occur at the organization, regional, state, national, or international level. Examples of potential University service activities include serving on UC ANR or university committees, serving on Western Region or National Cooperative Extension committees, or advocacy efforts. Public service involves activities and events in which the incumbent uses their professional expertise to benefit groups or efforts outside the University. Examples may include serving on external boards or councils, participating in community events, and leadership of non-University collaborative groups.

Affirmative Action: An understanding of and commitment to UC ANR's affirmative action goals and commitments is expected of all administrators. Further, UC ANR is committed to a culture of inclusion within the organization and across all programs. The Vice Provost will ensure that outreach efforts in program identification, development, planning and delivery provide equitable service to all ethnic and gender groups comprising potential clientele. The Vice Provost will oversee outreach planning and ensure that required documentation of outreach efforts, outcomes and reporting is completed. The Vice Provost must be a champion and model for inclusive excellence in both programs and work environment.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/files/355228.pdf

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. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

• UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement.
• UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
• UC ANR Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
• UC ANR UC ANR uses seven Public Value statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to 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.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Salary: The beginning salary will be in the University of California Academic Administrator series and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding UC Academic Administrator series scales, please refer to the University of California website: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t34.pdf

If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE academic with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain a 0% appointment in the current CE academic title and the associated indefinite status within UC policy.

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. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

If you are interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #25-07). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by April 21, 2025 (Open until filled)

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 and the UC ANR Green Card Sponsorship Guidelines & FAQ's for reference.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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.

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.