"UC Cooperative Extension Specialist - Agricultural Policy (AP 25-29)"

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.

Positioned within the UC ANR Policy Institute, this crucial new role will bridge the gap between cutting-edge agricultural research and policy development, offering a unique opportunity to drive science-based policy in California and beyond. The Specialist will pursue translational research and extension designed to enhance the effectiveness of UC ANR scholarship in applying research results to inform and shape policy decisions. Internally, the Specialist will help UC ANR researchers design projects that engage key state agricultural policy issues and translate research in a manner that informs California decision makers. Externally, the Specialist is likely to engage with a wide range of state and local stakeholders, including legislators, agency staff, and industry organizations, to support their access to and understanding of UC ANR research.

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 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, finding solutions for 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 Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) headquarters in Sacramento, CA.

Position Details

As described in UC ANR's Vision 2040, California faces a complex, ever-changing regulatory environment in which science-based input and community engagement are needed to inform policy decisions and implementation. Now more than ever, solutions are needed to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and other disasters, advance more efficient agriculture production, advance sustainable land stewardship, and strengthen food systems. As these challenges increase in complexity, so too do their solutions. Local, state, and federal policies and regulations must adapt and be responsive, taking into consideration current scientific and technological advances. To this end, UC ANR has newly launched the UC ANR Policy Institute, where this position will be located administratively and organizationally.

Major duties and responsibilities for this Specialist include:

• Collaboration with the UC ANR Policy Institute and UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, and institutes, and CDFA staff, as well as external stakeholders, to conduct applied research and disseminate research results. External partners might include state and local elected officials, legislative staff, regional planning staff, agricultural commissioners, federal, state, and local public managers, tribes, community-based nonprofit organizations, and grassroots groups.
• Design and conduct policy research focused on food and agriculture. Potential areas of research include:
  • Cost analysis of agricultural regulations
  • Policies related to strengthening California's food system
  • Disaster and emergency management in California's agricultural sector
  • Policy implications of technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture
  • Water use in agriculture
  • Farm labor policy
  • Policies related to pest management
  • Land use policy
  • Climate-agriculture policy
  • Energy policies related to agriculture
• Lead efforts to translate research findings into real-world policy solutions.
• Build an effective extension education program (statewide trainings, workshops, educational resources, website, etc.) that helps ANR personnel and state policymakers better translate scientific findings into policy.
• 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, industry publications, 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 the agriculture sector 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 Director of the UC ANR Policy Institute. 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 agricultural policy, 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 policy at the local, regional, state, and/or national level
• Substantive experience in one or more areas related to the position, such as policy and planning for sustainable food systems, agriculture, or water resources
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 in agriculture or natural resources
• 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, translational research, and science communication are highly desired.

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 https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/policy-covered-july-2025-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 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: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/JPF00346 and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #25-29). 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 January 3, 2026 (open until filled).

Questions? Contact Kahla Wallace via email: kahwallace@ucanr.edu

Application Window

Open date: October 30, 2025

Most recent review date: Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Friday, Apr 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)