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Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Technical Assistance for Small Farms Academic Coordinator 2, University of California Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education Program (UC SAREP).

Purpose:
The SGMA Technical Assistance for Small Farms Academic Coordinator II will coordinate a statewide technical assistance and extension education program providing small-scale farmers in California with technical information and services and science-based recommendations during implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This position is part of a larger program funded by the California State Legislature to provide technical assistance with SGMA to small-scale farmers in California, in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Water Foundation, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and additional nonprofit, consultant, and public agency partners.

The Academic Coordinator will serve as a content expert on groundwater management in California providing technical expertise to county-based community education staff, small-scale farmers, and nonprofit partner organizations. This position will supervise five community education staff (CES IV) working with UC ANR Small Farms Advisors in counties with high priority or critically over drafted groundwater basins. The Academic Coordinator II will coordinate outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts, lead design and review of educational materials, document and synthesize feedback from UC ANR staff, farmers, and community partners, and summarize and present policy recommendations on assisting small-scale and underserved farmers with engagement in sustainable groundwater management. This position will also include substantial interaction and collaboration with UC ANR specialists and advisors, the UC ANR Water Program Team, and other UC ANR programs such as the California Institute for Water Resources. The Academic Coordinator will work under the guidance of the UC SAREP Associate Director for Small Farms and is expected to independently manage day to day activities of the SGMA technical assistance program.

The goals of the SGMA technical assistance program include increased participation of small-scale farmers in groundwater sustainability agencies and their groundwater management plans; increased access to technical assistance such as hydrological, geological, and legal services for small-scale farms; enhanced water conservation practices on small-scale farms; and inclusion of small-scale farms and equity concerns in local, regional, and statewide groundwater management plans and policies.

Location Headquarters: UC ANR, Davis or at the UCOP building, Oakland, California

ACADEMIC PROGRAM MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement effective UC ANR Cooperative Extension applied educational and technical assistance programs to address the identified priority needs of the clientele that are consistent with UC ANR’s Public Value Statements.

Extension Education and Outreach
• Coordinate local, regional, and statewide outreach, education, and technical assistance activities to support small-scale farmers during the implementation of SGMA.
• Develop and disseminate statewide educational materials for small-scale and underserved farmers on topics related to SGMA implementation and groundwater management.
• Lead regional policy analyses of groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) with technical assistance staff in their counties.
• Contribute to policy improvements at a regional scale. Prepare and publish policy papers, technical memoranda, and/or peer-reviewed journal articles with recommendations on support for small-scale farms during SGMA implementation.
• Independently develop curriculum and build toolkits, with guidance from UC SAREP leadership.
• Plan and conduct informational events such as webinars, field days, farm tours, and other formats as needed.
• Supervise county-based staff conducting outreach, education, and technical assistance activities.
• Ensure clientele needs are assessed, and develop program goals to successfully meet clientele needs, in alignment with UC ANR’s strategic initiatives and Public Value Statements.
• Maintain and promote UC ANR’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge and skills independent of personal or parochial interests.
• Represent UC ANR at the local, regional, and statewide level in a professional manner.
• Oversees delivery of UC ANR statewide technical assistance with SGMA for small farms; works with local and regional staff to ensure that outcomes and impacts are measured and communicated.

Project and Grant Management:
• Manage budgets of specified grants focused on SGMA for small-to medium-scale farmers and coordinate use of funds among collaborators and partner organizations.
• Prepare grant reports, program and project impact statements, briefings, executive summaries, and posters and presentations to disseminate project results, challenges, impacts, and opportunities.
• Collect and analyze program data to evaluate outcomes and impacts and provide recommendations for ongoing improvement.
• Contribute to grant proposals to support SGMA outreach, extension education, technical assistance, and applied research, both individually and collaboratively.

Statewide Leadership and Content Expertise:
• Communicate regularly with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Water Foundation, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), consultants working with DWR, and other partners on the SGMA Technical Assistance for Small Farms project.
• Synthesize and present information to inform policy makers and public agencies of the needs, challenges, and opportunities for small-scale farms with SGMA and groundwater management.
• Conduct and report regular needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the local clientele groups being served.
• Disseminate useful, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
• Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts to scientific and lay audiences.
• May speak with media, ensuring alignment with organizational messaging.
• Foster an increased understanding of UC ANR’s Cooperative Extension’s research and education programs in clientele, the public and policy makers.
• Effectively use online communication methods and associated software programs to support research and instruction.
• Actively advocate for UC ANR program awareness and support.
• 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.

Collaboration and Partnerships:
• Collaborate with other UC ANR staff, academics, campus-based specialists and faculty and others conducting research and/or education on water-related topics and incorporate results of current research into educational materials and activities.
• Build sustained, bidirectional relationships with community stakeholders. Develop and facilitate partnerships with nonprofit partner organizations and public agencies. Ensure that community voices shape program content.
• Act as a facilitator in the public policy arena to effectively bridge divergent interests around issues that impact subjects within the UC ANR purview.
• Interact with UC ANR Program Teams, specialists, campus based Agricultural Experiment Station faculty (if appropriate) and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand program goals.
• Coordinate with colleagues and partners to develop strategies for the SGMA technical assistance program.
• Serve the California public by participating in activities of public agencies and organizations.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Be an effective listener and communicator, take responsibility for our own actions, motivate others, keep commitments, and cultivate political and industry support for UC ANR.
• Manage minor conflicts with partners and stakeholders, using standard procedures and elevating relevant issues.
• Build relationships to work with diverse populations and acclimate to varying circumstances.

Counties of Responsibility: The Academic Coordinator will coordinate statewide SGMA technical assistance efforts for small farms in California, with a focus on regions with critically over drafted groundwater basins and underserved demographics of small-scale farmers. These include the San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, and inland Southern California. Counties in these priority regions include Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The position serves under the administrative and programmatic guidance of the UC SAREP Associate Director for Small Farms.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A master’s degree in water resources, hydrology, water management, environmental engineering, or a related field with strong experience and technical competence in groundwater management and policy is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements:
• Specialty and/or professional experience must demonstrate capacity to accomplish team-based community outreach, technical assistance, and extension education programs consistent with the values of UC Cooperative Extension.
• Prior experience in policy relevant to small farms, underserved communities, and/or water resource management is required.
• Experience in managing partnerships and collaborations with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and agricultural stakeholders is required.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in teams and provide leadership for outreach, technical assistance, policy analysis, needs assessment, and education activities.

• Must be adaptable to different work circumstances and able to work with a diversity of people and collaborators.
• Must be able to engage effectively with state agencies, policy makers, and nonprofit partner organizations to promote ongoing support for programs and provide input on policy recommendations.
• Must be literate in internet communications and software appropriate to support technical assistance and extension education programs.
• 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.
• 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 valid California Driver’s License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
• This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to work onsite.
• 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
[https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH]
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
[https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination]
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
[https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf]

Desired Qualifications and Experience
• Prior experience managing teams and direct reports.
• Experience working with disadvantaged or underserved communities in California.

Skills Required

To be successful Academic Coordinators require skills in the following:

Technical Competence
• Demonstrated content expertise relevant to SGMA. Familiarity with extension education methods. Awareness of water and agriculture policies and knowledge of challenges faced by California small farms. Ability to contribute to multidisciplinary projects with a diverse range of collaborators.

Communication
• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information in a format tailored to the audience.
• Literacy in online communications and computer software to support community education programs.

Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to model and support effective teamwork and remain open to exploring new ideas and innovative solutions.
• Able to adapt as circumstances warrant, shifting focus as times and organizational needs change.

Interest in Continued and 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.

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 [https://www.ucanr.edu] and UC ANR Mission Statement. [https://ucanr.edu/site/division-agriculture-and-natural-resources/about-us]
• UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes [https://ucanr.edu/site/statewide-programs-research-and-extension-center-operations/programs] that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
• UC ANR Program Areas and Program Teams [https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-program-areas-and-program-teams] help unify, communicate, and advocate for our work.
• UC ANR uses Public Value Statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.
• UC ANR academics are expected to share [https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-planning-and-accountability/condition-changes] and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to UC ANR’s Civil Rights Compliance Policy [https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-human-resources/office-civil-rights]
 
• UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR Principles of Community [https://ucanr.edu/site/division-agriculture-and-natural-resources/principles-community] We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary will be in the Academic Coordinator II series from Step 1 - $84,246 to Step 3 - $92,330 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: [https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/policy-covered-july-2025-scales/t36-ii.pdf]

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 at: [https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html]

How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #26-02)

Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 5, 2026 (open until filled).

Questions?
Contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring work authorization without need of employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment period.

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.

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.