UC Cooperative Extension Specialist - Beef Cattle Production - Browns Valley, CA (AP 26-11)

Position description

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

With approximately 1.8 million head of beef cattle and over 10,000 producers, California is one of the nation's leading beef-producing states. Almost 62% of the state is classified as rangeland, with beef cattle grazing present in all counties but San Francisco County. Grazing is the state's largest land use, and beef cattle production is an economic and cultural driver in communities across the state. The specialist will create a robust research and extension program across the UC ANR network to support the beef cattle industry.

UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs for appropriate clientele groups in communities outside 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 aims to find solutions to societal problems related to 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 Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, 8279 Scott Forbes Road, Browns Valley, CA 95918.

Position Details

The beef cattle industry will face many challenges in the coming years. Fluctuating markets necessitate improved production and increased product value. Research areas can include increasing reproductive rates, improving animal health, economically increasing weight gain, preventing disease, and enhancing genetic merit. In addition, marketing research on the economic value of production practices can help producers identify which management strategies best fit their specific operation. As with many areas of the US, California faces management challenges from drought. State-specific research on culling and/or feeding to survive drought is always pertinent. The Beef Cattle Production Specialist will lead ANR's network of advisors and specialists to help the industry improve beef production efficiencies, adapt to environmental challenges, and meet regulatory goals, while ensuring animal welfare and the quality of the end product.

Major duties and responsibilities for this specialist:

• Collaborate with UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, and institutes, as well as external stakeholders, to conduct applied research and disseminate research results in support of beef cattle production issues, as well as cross-over research with production-animal focused, sustainable systems, and small-holder systems. External partners include groups such as the California Cattle Council, the California Cattlemen's Association, the California Beef Improvement Association, the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition, and the California Rangeland Trust, among others, at the intersection of beef cattle grazing, climate, and local food production.
• Educate on science-based research, policy, and socially relevant issues related to beef cattle production systems, via conferences, individual consultations, workshops, and web-based programs accessible to a diverse audience.
• Design and conduct an innovative applied research program addressing complex issues impacting beef cattle production and sustainable agricultural systems. Approaches in the selected areas of emphasis are expected to be leading-edge and transdisciplinary. Potential areas of emphasis include:
  • Animal health, reproduction, and management
  • Beef quality assurance
  • Beef cattle nutrition
  • Utilization of agricultural byproducts seasonally and during drought
  • Genetic improvement
  • Marketing opportunities such as value-added programs and genetics
  • Sustainable grazing management
• Publish findings, best practices, and case studies in accessible formats, including relevant peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Animal Science and Frontiers in Animal Science, as well as ANR outlets, industry publications such as the California Cattlemen magazine, 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 support the beef cattle industry across California. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship:

The position will be located at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center (SFREC) in Browns Valley, CA. UC ANR will oversee the merit and promotion process, consistent with other UC ANR CE Specialists. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education:

A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) in animal science, ruminant nutrition, animal biology, 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 experience/interest in animal agriculture, agricultural sustainability, beef cattle production, research, and/or the beef cattle industry
• 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.

Desired Experience

• 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.

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.

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

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 Benefits.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit UC Recruit and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #26-11). 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 May 6, 2026 (open until filled).

Contact: Katie Kilbane via email : klkilbane@ucanr.edu.