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Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor: Career/College Readiness at the Assistant Rank in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. The successful candidate will focus on delivering a statewide 4-H Youth Development Program at the local level that assists youth in achieving their fullest potential.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Applied research activities are mission-oriented and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension of knowledge includes educational activities, to share research results with local communities to increase knowledge of science-based research, and support adopting practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, volunteer and community partner trainings, organizing educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits. Extension may also include radio and mass media outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. UCCE Advisors are expected to publish work in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculum, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful applied research and extension programs result in new knowledge generated within local communities, in support of skill-building, or policy adoption, resulting in improved environmental, health, positive youth development, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through a peer review system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.

Location Headquarters: University of California Cooperative Extension Office in Ventura, or San Luis Obispo County.

Position Details

The 4-H Youth Development Area Advisor is expected to develop an extension and applied research program in positive youth development emphasizing college and career readiness programs and curricula. The Advisor’s youth development program should focus on issues that are culturally relevant to youth in the communities served and be focused on improving college and career readiness, workforce development and access with populations that have been historically underserved, including youth from Latino/a/e, Asian American, Black, and Indigenous communities. The Advisor will develop and implement applied research and extension programming for out-of-school time educators, community partners and volunteers in topics such as experiential education, positive youth-adult partnerships, effective pedagogical practices with diverse youth and college and career readiness. The Advisor will work with a network of 4-H youth, volunteers, staff, community partners and academics to bridge research and practice with an emphasis on identifying systemic and local factors hindering college access and developing and testing innovative solutions. The Advisor will provide academic oversight to support the county-based 4-H youth development programs which include clubs, after-school programs, camps and other delivery modes. The Advisor will develop applied research projects locally and in partnership with the Positive Youth Development Program Team, Thriving Youth and College and Career Readiness workgroups. The Advisor will be expected to collaborate with other UCCE Advisors and youth-serving programs within the counties served. Additionally, the Advisors will be expected to develop partnerships with youth-serving agencies in the local communities, including K-12 schools, after school programs, community colleges, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Channel Islands and other youth-serving organizations, and is expected to develop partnerships with other 4-H Youth Development Advisors around the region and state. Clientele will include 4-H youth, 4-H Adult Volunteers, 4-H Professionals, UCCE community educators, and other youth-serving organizations. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within their communities and throughout California. There is excellent potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system.

Counties of Responsibility: This position has programmatic responsibilities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarter location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Reporting Relationship: The Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor serves under the administrative and academic guidance of the local Country Director and the UC Statewide 4-H Program Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Education: A minimum of a Master’s Degree in youth/child development, human development, education or a related field is required at time of appointment. Experience in conducting applied research, program evaluation, education and working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds and communities are required. Strong leadership skills and experience in program and personnel management are also required.

Key Qualifications
• Technical competency and demonstrated ability in applied research and extension techniques applicable to clientele, including 4-H youth, 4-H Adult Volunteers and 4-H Professionals as well as other youth-serving organizations.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs and publish applied research.
• Ability to build partnerships and work with multidisciplinary teams to create research opportunities and extend information to communities served,
• Ability to co-develop research and extension with youth and youth-serving agencies in racial and ethnically diverse communities addressing their key strengths and unique challenges
• 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 County or University vehicle.

Additional Skills Required
• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
• Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should have a solid understanding of issues, strengths and challenges facing youth and students from diverse communities and opportunities for college and career readiness and must be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.
• Communication: The candidate should demonstrate excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of this position.
• The candidate should demonstrate the ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to different audiences. The ability to work with youth and adult clientele and collaborators across a wide range of demographic groups, technical backgrounds, literacy levels, and socio-economic classes is essential.
• Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with colleagues within the UC ANR community.
• Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that Advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
• The candidate should be aware of and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desired Experience
• Proficiency in another language, such as Spanish, is desirable, but not required.
• Experience in conducting community-based research and planning, and implementation of research and/or extension activities.
• Experience conducting education and/or technical assistance with community-based groups.
• Experience in people management, such as supervising staff, students, or volunteers.
• Experience in managing grant-funded projects and/or securing extramural funding.
• An understanding of how public policy impacts youth college and career readiness and decision-making.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($82,900) to Step VI ($105,200). Step placement in the Advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications.

This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month of paid vacation, one day per month of paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of the University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website.
How to Apply if interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #24-15)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets, including a candidate research and DEI statement, must be received by October 7, 2024 (Open until Filled).

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 impact in people’s lives.

About Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo, Counties
The central coast counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo include highly productive agricultural regions and also large urban areas, including Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. The area includes beautiful coastal areas, rangeland, and the Los Padres National Forest and travel time between UCCE offices can take over 2.5 hours. UCCE advisors and community education specialists in the region are innovators and problem-solvers who co-develop science-based solutions with local communities. The 4-H Youth development programs in the central coast counties are well-supported by 4-H volunteers and staff and include innovative program delivery models that incorporate collaboration with other UCCE programs and the Hansen Research and Extension Center to reach youth in underserved communities and provide hands-on learning in agriculture, leadership, civic engagement, and healthy living.

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 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.

Questions?
Contact Mikyla Perez; email: mikperez@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.

Please visit: https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2874

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.