Job Listings Title:
Small Farms Agricultural Economics and Rural Economic Development UC Cooperative Extension Specialist

Post Date
1/29/2025

Expiration Date
4/29/2025

Details:

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) in collaboration with the University of California Santa Cruz invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist in Small Farms Agricultural Economics and Rural Economic Development at the Assistant rank. 

The UCCE Specialist will address challenges and opportunities for economic viability and longevity for small farms in California. This will include examining market and supply chain development, alternative markets, business and operations decision support, climate resilience, policy challenges and opportunities, inclusive innovation, and appropriate technology, all of which impact the ability of small farms to support thriving, resilient, and equitable rural economies.

UCCE Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs aimed at appropriate clientele groups in communities outside of UC campuses. UCCE Specialists have programs of primarily mission-oriented research or creative work that support the university’s efforts in extending knowledge, including outreach and community engagement. Mission-oriented research describes the complete research continuum that extends from basic research to applications of research results. This research is generally applied in nature and has, as a goal, the solution of a problem facing society that is related to the mission of the UCCE Specialist’s discipline and the UCCE mission. UCCE Specialists will publish the results of applied research in a combination of research publication types, whether peer-reviewed or not, based on the relevant audiences served by the UCCE Specialist’s program.

The extension program disseminates knowledge and information to clientele groups for their use in improving their abilities to understand and address problems and opportunities facing them. The extension educational program serves the University’s public service mission. Educational program activities include but are not limited to collaborations with UCCE Advisors, other UCCE Specialists, campus faculty, program teams, workgroups, or clientele groups; developing and presenting educational materials; communicating to clientele through broadcast, print, or electronic media; participating in meetings with clientele; developing and presenting in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences. Much of this work is conducted in partnership with UC ANR’s locally based UCCE Advisors. The UCCE Specialist – Advisor and faculty partnership creates an applied research network that benefits both the University and the public at large. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University.

Location Headquarters. University of California Santa Cruz Department of Economics and the Center for Agroecology, Santa Cruz, California

Position Details

Major Duties and Responsibilities Include:

  • Bridge campus expertise with small farm advisors, food systems and community and economic development advisors, urban agriculture advisors, members of the UC ANR Small Farms Network, and UC SAREP.
  • Connect the UCSC Economics Department with UCANR to better address the needs and challenges of small farms across the state, thereby building capacity and exposure in the crucial research areas addressed by this Specialist.
  • Collaborate with campus and UCANR partners, as well as state and federal agencies, policymakers, and community groups representing small farmers.
  • Work with UC SAREP and the UC ANR Small Farms Network to develop extension programming to assist small-scale and diversified farms with business planning, decision-making, accessing new markets, and policy compliance.
  • Collaborate on training on topics including financing, business planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, community development, and market and supply chain development to build capacity for nonprofit partners and technical assistance providers.
  • Collaborate with UCCE Advisors and Specialists to conduct research that supports the development of educational resources and programming for business planning, risk management, and economic development to be disseminated by advisors and promoted by UC SAREP.
  • Conduct research that addresses the economic challenges and opportunities for small-scale and diversified farms in California, including farms operated by underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers. Potential research topics include
    • Cost studies for small-acreage or culturally relevant specialty crops
    • Cost-benefit analyses of alternative production practices and processing methods
    • Impacts of inventive policy levers (i.e., land trust partnerships, novel distribution channels, support programs)
    • Cost/benefit analysis of practices and crops
    • Impacts of inclusive innovation and appropriate technologies for small/diversified farms in California
    • Analysis of markets to determine the contribution of small-scale and diversified farms to local and regional economies, food security, and environmental co-benefits.
  • Identify pathways to resilience in the context of climate change, increased regulation, consolidation of farmland, new and invasive pests and diseases, and increased competition from global and national markets.
  • Publish in leading journals and in extension and outreach publications.

Counties of Responsibility: This state-wide position will serve farmers, growers, and ranchers across California, as well as allied agencies and organizations. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship: The position will be located on the UCSC campus in Santa Cruz in the Department of Economics. The appointment is within UC ANR, and UC ANR will oversee the merit and promotion process, in consultation with the UCSC Department Chair. The CE Specialist will hold an additional 0% (uncompensated) appointment at UCSC. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite on the UCSC campus.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. or equivalent in Economics or Agricultural Economics and experience in community development, agricultural production systems, and/or values-based supply chains is required at the time of appointment. Applicants who have not yet earned a Ph.D. must be within 12 months of completing their degree to be considered for the position. 

 Key Qualifications

  • Postdoctoral or related work experience in agricultural economics, small farms, or rural economic development.
  • Strong publications record.
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated record of applied research in agricultural economics, rural economic development, or other subjects related to the scope of this position.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams of academics and external collaborators.
  • Willingness to travel regionally and nationally on a frequent basis. 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.
  • 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

Desired Experience

  • Experience with integrated research and educational projects and extension to diverse audiences.
  • History of collaborative projects that bridge research and practice in agricultural economics, rural economic development, and small farms.
  • Familiarity with state and federal policies related to small farm economics and/or rural economic development.
  • Evidence of successful grant applications.

Skills Required

To be successful, Cooperative Extension Specialist positions require skills in the following:

Technical competence

  • Conduct and report needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the clientele groups being served.
  • Develop and implement effective UC ANR Cooperative Extension applied research and educational programs to address the identified priority needs of the clientele that are consistent with ANR’s Strategic Vision and ANR Initiatives.
  • Conduct applied research designed to monitor changes and solve statewide and locally relevant problems related to agricultural economics, small farms, and rural economic development.

Communication

  • Disseminate appropriate, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
  • Maintain and promote UC ANR Cooperative Extension’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge.
  • Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts to scientific and lay audiences through a variety of outreach methods e.g., peer-reviewed publications, internet, workshops, newsletters.

Collaboration & Teamwork

  • Build collaborative working relationships across UC ANR, via participation in program teams and work groups.
  • Interact with campus academic colleagues to create synergies that will advance the programmatic goals of the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department, the Center for Agroecology, and UC ANR.
  • Interact with the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department and other relevant graduate programs via occasional lectures and other academic functions (such as serving on dissertation committees, oral exams, etc.) as appropriate. In accordance with UC Academic Personnel Policy 334, Specialist in Cooperative Extension Series, the teaching of regular undergraduate or graduate courses will not be a primary responsibility of the position.
  • Engage in campus faculty meetings, campus faculty committee service, and other activities of the UC Santa Cruz faculty as appropriate.

Lifelong Learning

  • Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with state government and agencies related to small farms and rural economic development.
  • Demonstrate commitment to ongoing growth – both professionally and as a person.

Salary & Benefits

Salary:  The beginning salary will be in the Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist Rank Step 1 - $87,700 to Step 6 - $114,800 and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications.  For information regarding the Cooperative Extension Specialist series salary scales, please refer to
https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t29.pdf

This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM). If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE specialist with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain such indefinite status.

The Cooperative Extension Specialist position is a two-year renewable term appointment. Performance in this position is evaluated annually with merit actions being evaluated every two years. Upon completion of a successful review, you may be reappointed for another definite term. Our intention with this definite term appointment is to be reappointed based on positive performance reviews and the continuing need for the position. 

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. 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 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 #25-01. 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 March 12, 2025 (open until filled)