Climate Smart Agriculture & Integrated Pest Management Program Coordinator
Central Coast & Statewide - Academic Coordinator II (26-13)
Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a Climate Smart Agriculture & Integrated Pest Management Program Coordinator Academic Coordinator II, with responsibilities: Climate Smart Agriculture (80%) and Integrated Pest Management (20%).
PURPOSE & CLIENTELE
Purpose. The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program Coordinator (Academic Coordinator II) provides statewide leadership, coordination, and program delivery within UC ANR, with a focus on the Central Coast and agricultural communities across California. The position is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating education, extension, and technical assistance programs that advance climate smart agriculture (80%) and integrated pest management (20%). Working collaboratively across UC ANR programs, the Coordinator organizes and facilitates trainings for the CSA Team, recruits growers to participate in CDFA climate smart agriculture incentive programs, and maintains thorough documentation of outreach activities, including agendas, reports, and program materials. In collaboration with the Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture, the Coordinator prepares and coordinates grant proposals, reports, and budgets to sustain and expand program funding, while supervising Climate Smart Agriculture Project Policy Analysts and Grizzly Corps Fellows.
This position works across two complementary UC ANR programs: the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Program, housed in the California Institute for Water Resources (CIWR), and the Small Farms Network, housed in the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP). The CSA Program promotes the adoption of practices that build healthy soils, improve water use efficiency, and enhance nutrient management. The Small Farms Network has a historic focus on equity and inclusion for underserved and limited-resource farmers and serves as an information hub connecting diverse farming communities to University of California resources. This position will also lead statewide efforts for Chinese-language outreach, curriculum development, and program implementation, ensuring equitable access to CSA resources and technical assistance.
Serving as a statewide and regional subject matter expert, the Coordinator conducts tailored outreach and direct technical assistance to farmers and ranchers across diverse cropping systems. Core responsibilities include supporting implementation of Climate Bond (Proposition 4)-funded programs, including the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), and ensuring these efforts deliver meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities (DACs), severely disadvantaged communities (SDACs), socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs), Tribes, and other vulnerable populations. The Coordinator will lead training for CDFA block grant recipients, facilitate multilingual translation of educational materials, support IPM efforts in the local region, and conduct data analysis and case study development to document program outcomes.
Clientele. Clientele for this program are primarily include small-scale and diversified family farms, particularly underserved and socially disadvantaged producers on the Central Coast and statewide. Additional audiences include CDFA program partners and block grant recipients, UC ANR academics and Cooperative Extension, and community-based organizations and technical assistance providers supporting climate smart agriculture and IPM adoption.
Location: This position is located in Santa Clara County. The position provides support for climate smart agriculture and IPM adoption throughout the State of California.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
* Coordination of Academic Programs
o Provide leadership, coordination, and organizational support for climate smart agriculture (CSA) and integrated pest management (IPM) programs on the Central Coast and statewide; organize and facilitate training for the Climate Smart Agriculture Team related to soil health, irrigation efficiency, and nutrient management.
o Recruit growers to participate in CDFA climate smart agriculture incentive programs and coordinate one-on-one technical assistance to increase adoption of CSA and IPM practices, including on-farm assessments, diagnostics, reports, and recommendations.
o Lead training and provide technical guidance to CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture block grant recipients (BGRs), including advising on program proposals and supporting the development and implementation of regional technical assistance programs for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP).
o In collaboration with the Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture, AC II prepare and coordinate grant reports, proposals, and budgets to sustain and expand program funding.
o Supervise Climate Smart Agriculture Project Policy Analysts and Grizzly Corps Fellows, including the development of workplans and approval of timesheets and expense reports. Provide direct supervision including training, mentoring, and formal performance evaluations, and identifies and recommends professional development opportunities aligned with program goals. Develop professional development workplans for CSA staff and Grizzly Corps Fellows in collaboration with the CSA Associate Director and Project Policy Analyst Supervisor.
o Develop and implement training curriculum and extension programs to educate CSA staff and growers about CSA and IPM practices. Conduct program needs assessments and lead training efforts for staff across the Climate Smart Agriculture Program related to soil health and irrigation/nutrient management.
o Maintain documentation of outreach activities including agendas, minutes, reports, and other program records.
o Prepare high quality written and attractive materials including grant proposals and reports, impact statements, briefings, executive summaries, brochures, quarterly newsletters, posters, and presentations.
* Technical Competence & Impact
o Ensure clientele needs are assessed, and develops program goals to successfully meet clientele needs, in alignment with UC ANR's statewide Strategic Vision and initiatives.
o Demonstrate a deep understanding of CSA and IPM topics in order to design and implement an outreach program that leads to positive changes and impacts within the state.
o Prepare science-based educational materials (factsheets, tip sheets, presentations, videos, and other materials as need) on climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management topics.
o Maintain and promote UC ANR's credibility by providing science-based knowledge and skills independent of personal or parochial interests.
o Deliver Climate Smart Agriculture programming and train CSA staff to implement technical climate smart agriculture practices alongside the Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture. Establishes and enforces program standards for documentation, monitoring, and evaluation. Ensure staff collect, manage, and enter program data into required databases on a quarterly basis, maintaining accountability for data quality and completeness.
o Lead the design and implementation of program evaluation frameworks, including identification of key outcomes, impacts, and performance indicators. Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis to assess program effectiveness. Support the Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture in developing impact reports and synthesizing program data, outcomes, and measurable impacts. Systematically collect and organize participant feedback from workshops and on-farm engagements to inform continuous improvement. Collaborates with the broader CSA team on long-range planning, evaluation strategies, and outreach methods to increase statewide adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture practices. Use knowledge of climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management to identify research and extension needs for small farms in California.
o Prepare high quality written and attractive materials including: proposals and grant reports; program and project impact statements; peer-reviewed publications, blog posts, reports, briefings, executive summaries, and brochures; and posters and presentations.
* Communication
o Conduct and report regular needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the clientele groups being served.
o Disseminate useful, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
* This might include site visits, short courses, field demonstrations, seminars, online and printed materials.
o Foster an increased understanding of UC ANR's Cooperative Extension's research and education programs in clientele, the public and policy makers.
o Effectively use online communication methods and associated software programs to support research and instruction.
o Support the development, design, and statewide implementation of curriculum and educational materials, including fact sheets, implementation guides, and training resources specific to Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) practices. Deliver presentations and trainings for diverse audiences including producers, partner organizations, regulatory agencies, and policymakers to communicate research-based Climate Smart Agriculture practices.
o Lead development of specialized curriculum on soil health and irrigation management and train the CSA team to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery statewide. Provides leadership in curriculum development and supports professional development activities for the entire CSA program in collaboration with the CE Supervisor and Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture. Lead and coordinate translation of CSA and IPM educational materials into Chinese; identify translation needs, develop translation plans, and work with CSA Project Policy Analysts to produce multilingual outreach materials, curricula, guidance documents, and implementation resources.
o Work with the CSA and IPM teams to develop content and post online resources.
o Demonstrated excellence in written, oral and interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Public speaking to stakeholders and other audiences is a routine part of this position.
o Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
o Target engagement and communication to key audiences in forms most useful to them and effectively use online and in-person communication methods.
o Disseminate project activities, outcomes and impacts including written materials, web pages, newsletters, press releases and social media.
* Collaboration, Teamwork & Flexibility
o Develop collaborative teams with other UC ANR academics, campus-based specialists, advisors, and faculty and/or others, to address priority issues for UC ANR.
o Act as a facilitator in the public policy arena to effectively bridge divergent interests around issues that impact subjects within the UC ANR purview.
o Interact with UC ANR Program Teams, UC SAREP, advisors, specialists and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand program goals.
o Participate in UC and UC ANR leadership, through committees, task forces and other formal or informal structures.
o Serve the California public by participating in activities of public agencies and organizations.
o Interpersonal Relationships: Be an effective listener and communicator, take responsibility for actions, motivate others, keep commitments and cultivate support for the project partners.
o Build relationships to work with diverse populations and acclimate to varying circumstances.
o Model and support effective team work and remain open to exploring new ideas and innovative solutions.
o Help create and maintain a diverse network of project partners including academics, governments, and community partners to facilitate collaboration.
o Foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work.
o When applicable, contribute subject area expertise relevant to the Small Farm Network.
* Professional Competence and Activity
o Increase personal knowledge of climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management, through professional development, training, and peer-learning. Increased relevancy of educational program content related to climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management, and specific technical assistance to more effectively meet the needs of California farmers and growers.
o Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with federal, state and county governmental agencies, non-government organizations and others by providing independent science-based information and leadership.
o Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in service training, seminars, workshops, work group & program team by meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.
Reporting Relationship:
The Academic Coordinator reports to the UCCE Santa Clara County Small Farms & Specialty Crops Advisor with secondary administrative and programmatic guidance from the Associate Director for Climate Smart Agriculture Academic Coordinator III.
REQUIREMENTS
Education: A minimum of a master's degree is required in agricultural, environmental or social sciences, or related areas at the time of employment.
Additional Requirements
* Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and provide evidence of success in meeting the required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applicants need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
* Knowledge of the power usage of such systems and the ability to use CDFA's quantification methodology to estimate greenhouse gas savings from systems improvement is required. Specific knowledge of irrigation systems design, management and maintenance is required.
* Bilingual proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese) and English is required, including the ability to deliver technical assistance, develop written materials, and conduct outreach and training in both languages.
* Successful grant writing experience CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture Program. Ability to secure extramural funds to support the program.
* Ability to communicate and extend technical information to audiences with widely varying levels of literacy and language limitations, using audience-appropriate techniques.
* Ability to work with people with disparate views and values, to motivate people, and adapt to changing situations.
* Literacy in online communications and with software to support extension education programs.
* Strong background in outreach and education related to climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management.
* A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and criminal history clearances from the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgment to comply with California law.
* We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire and must maintain such authorization through the duration of the position. Internal UC ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.
* This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to be onsite. Ability to travel within the region and state and at times outside of normal business hours.
* 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 or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.
* 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.
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Affirmative Action
Desired Experience
* Previous Extension experience in clientele engagement and outreach activities
* Passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension
* Experience in building partnerships and with multidisciplinary teams
* Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, manage resources and implement an outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.
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 250 UC ANR academics conduct research, extension, and education serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations, including county-based UCCE offices, 13 statewide programs and institutes, and 9 research and extension centers. 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.
Learn more about:
* 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 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 UCANR's Civil Rights Compliance Policy.
* UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR's Principles of Community. We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.
employer.
Salary & Benefits:
Salary: The salary will be in the Academic Coordinator II series from Step 1 - $87,616 to Step 5 - $105,482 annually. The Step placement in this series is based on experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding the Academic Coordinator series salary scales, please refer to Salary Scale
This appointment is a limited term appointment. The merit cycle is every two years. The performance in the position will be evaluated annually. The position will be extended based on the continued need for the position, performance and availability of funding.
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
How to Apply:
If interested in this position, please visit UC Recruit and choose "applicants" (refer to position #26-13)
Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by July 30, 2026 (open until filled).
Questions?
Contact Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu
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 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 status under state or federal law.
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.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
$87,616.00 / yr
paid holidays, sick time
Jul 01, 2026