Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Specialist (AP 26-07)

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist at the Assistant rank.

Disasters in California-from wildfires to floods, droughts, heatwaves, and earthquakes-pose significant economic, social, and community challenges, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness. Economically, these events inflict massive losses: over the period 1980-2024, the state has experienced roughly 46 'billion-dollar' disasters, with total costs ranging between US $100 billion and $200 billion. Socially, these disasters deepen existing inequalities as low-income and marginalized communities often face greater evacuation barriers, longer recovery periods, and fewer resources. On a community level, the loss of homes, schools, shared spaces, and local businesses can erode social cohesion and disrupt networks of care and mutual support. All of these findings reinforce the importance of investing in early warning systems, community resilience planning, equitable recovery strategies, and infrastructure designed for disaster readiness. UC ANR, with its network of community partners and experts across the state, is uniquely positioned to facilitate this work. To this end, UC ANR is launching the Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute (DPRI), where this position will be located administratively and organizationally. The Specialist will be the founding Director of the Institute and coordinate the startup and programming. They will conduct cutting-edge research, lead teams of researchers and key experts, and coordinate with partners to improve the preparedness and resilience of California's communities.

UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs aimed at appropriate clientele groups in communities outside of UC campuses. UCCE Specialists have programs primarily focused on mission-oriented research or creative work that support the university's efforts to extend knowledge, including outreach and community engagement. Mission-oriented research encompasses the entire research continuum, extending from basic research to the application of research results. This research is generally applied in nature and has as its goal finding solutions to problems facing society that are related to the mission of the UCCE Specialist's discipline and the UCCE mission. UCCE Specialists publish the results of applied research in a combination of peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder-facing materials, including refereed journals, technical reports, and white papers, tailored to the needs of the audiences their programs serve.

Extension programs disseminate knowledge and information to clientele groups to help them better understand and address problems and opportunities they face. 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. The Specialist will be based at the UC ANR headquarters, at 2801 2nd Street in Davis, CA, with the potential to explore opportunities at the California Office of Emergency Services (CAOES) headquarters in Sacramento, CA.

Position Details

This critical new role will provide expertise, research, and resources to the communities, agencies, and people of California related to disaster preparedness and resilience. The Specialist, and UC ANR DPRI, will provide expertise and engage with internal and external partners from government, business, and civic organizations.

Major duties and responsibilities for this Specialist:

• Serve as Director of the UC ANR Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute (approximately .3 FTE).
• Collaborate with UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, and institutes, and the University of California Disaster Resiliency Network, as well as external stakeholders, to conduct applied research and disseminate research results. External partners may include staff from federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, community-based nonprofit and civic organizations, and grassroots groups.
• Design and conduct applied research focused on disaster preparedness and resilience. Potential areas of research include:
  • Zoonotic agrosecurity
  • Food safety/security planning
  • Climate resiliency
  • Human pandemics and disaster response
  • Mental Health First Aid related to disaster response and preparedness
  • Disaster preparedness related to flooding, fire, drought, coastal sea rise, etc.
  • Youth training and engagement in disaster preparedness
  • Policy solutions for disaster preparedness and resiliency
• Lead efforts to translate findings into real-world solutions that make communities more resilient and better prepared for disasters.
• Develop an effective extension education program (including statewide trainings, workshops, educational resources, and a website) that enables ANR personnel, communities, and state and local agency staff to improve disaster preparedness.
• Seek research and extension funding from federal and state agencies as well as other sources.
• Publish findings, best practices, and case studies in accessible formats, including peer-reviewed journals, ANR outlets, popular press, and relevant online platforms to widen the reach and impact of research outcomes.
• Participate in professional society activities and scholarly contributions, attaining goals of state, national, and international recognition over time.

Geographic Area of Responsibility: This state-wide position will serve communities across California. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship: The position will be located at UC ANR headquarters in Davis, CA. UC ANR will oversee the merit and promotion process, consistent with other UC ANR CE Specialists. In this position, you will report to the Associate Vice President for Research and Extension. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the UC ANR building in Davis, CA.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) in environmental health and safety, environmental science, public health, emergency management, public policy, public administration, economics, or a related field 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

• Demonstrated expertise in disaster preparedness and resilience at the local, regional, state, and/or national level
• Substantive experience in one or more areas related to the position, such as disaster preparedness and resilience related to agriculture, food systems, and community health.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly to non-scientific and public audiences
• Demonstrated record of productivity in research as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• A track record of effectively engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Experience in leading collaborative research teams
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used are required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a university vehicle.
• Applicants must have unrestricted and permanent work authorization in the United States. 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, without additional sponsorship. Internal ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.
• 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 prior 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.

Desired Experience

• Studies related to disaster preparedness and resilience
• Experience with integrated research and educational projects and extension to diverse audiences
• A track record of applying for and securing extramural funding
• Knowledge, experience, interest, and/or academic coursework related to outreach and extension, applied research, and science communication are highly desired.

Skills Required: To be successful, UCCE Specialist positions require skills in the following:

Technical competence

• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and provide evidence of meeting the required academic advancement criteria as per the UC Academic Personnel Manuals Applications also need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• Conduct and report needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the clientele groups 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 disaster preparedness and resilience in California.

Communication

• Disseminate appropriate, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and suitable 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 various outreach methods, e.g., peer-reviewed publications, internet, workshops, and newsletters.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Build collaborative working relationships with CE Advisors, CE Specialists, Academic Coordinators, AES faculty, and program staff across UC ANR, via participation in program teams and work groups.
• Engage with a network external to UC ANR, including state and local agency staff, policymakers, civic organizations, and nonprofit partners.

Lifelong Learning

• Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with state government and agencies related to disaster preparedness and resilience in California.
• 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- $90,600 to Step 6 - $118,500 annually. Step placement in this series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding the Cooperative Extension Specialist series salary scales please refer to

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 completing 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 two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges per the terms of University policy. ANR is part of UC's Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at