UCCE Area Director (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) - Concord, CA, Job ID 89735

UCCE Area Director (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) – Concord, CA, Job ID 89735


University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources



Job Description

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 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. 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.

Additional Information:

• Discover our organization at UC ANR and explore our Mission .

• Through our Statewide Programs and Institutes , UC ANR academics and UC faculty collaborate in integrated teams to tackle priority problems through combined research and extension.

• Our Strategic Initiatives serve as our roadmap, helping us stay unified and effectively advocate for the work we do.

• Through our seven Public Value Statements , we share the real-world difference our research and extension work make for the public.

• We maintain a culture of equity and respect, with all UC ANR employees committed to the Civil Rights Compliance Policy .

• We champion inclusive excellence through our Principles of Community , creating a professional home where everyone, regardless of background, feels they belong and has the opportunity to grow.

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is seeking a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Director to provide leadership in support of applied research and outreach programs across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to bring the resources and expertise of UC directly to Californians through research and education programs that support:

• Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery

• Economic success in the local and global economy

• A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment

• Science literacy and youth development

UCCE is administered by the University of California, Division of Agriculture Natural Resources. UCCE brings the knowledge of University of California research through its agriculture, natural resources, youth development and nutrition programs to address local questions and to help solve local problems. UCCE academics, staff, and volunteers live and work in the communities they serve, helping identify, respond, and resolve local challenges. UC ANR connects Californians to UC, leading the way to science-based solutions.

The UCCE teams in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are comprised of committed, competent, and self-directed academics and staff. Their integration and orientation with local communities and clientele are strengths that contribute to overall program success and impact. The Area Director will have the exciting opportunity to support and advance ANR's mission, working collaboratively with these team members as they develop and deliver research and extension programming.

Purpose: The Area Director is responsible for the coordination and overall operation of UCCE programs in cooperation with county governments in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a liaison between UCCE and County Departments, Boards of Supervisors, County Administrative Officers and other county officials as appropriate
  • Serve as the UCCE department head in each county (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) and accomplish all responsibilities required by the counties

  • Work with county officials and councils to secure county budgets and resources that support UCCE presence and efforts in each county

  • Build relationships and synergies with the farm community, farm industry, stakeholders, social institutions and policy makers to deploy UCCE research to address county needs

  • Supervise and/or oversee program county employees

• Understand and communicate value of UCCE and its impact to county partners, collaborators, beneficiaries, clientele and others

• Oversee and administer UCCE educational extension and applied research programs
  • Hire and manage personnel

  • Provide direction and leadership to UCCE academic, community education staff, and support staff

  • Mentor, manage and evaluate academic personnel

  • Supervise County UC ANR employees

• Maintain positive working relationships with partnering public and private agencies
  • Support and grow partnerships and collaboration with city and county government departments (including Agricultural Commissioner, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Health and Quality, Health & Human Services), as well as resource conservation and open space districts, water agencies, agricultural industry organizations, non-profit agencies, local schools, and other aligned partners and organizations in each county
• Explore funding opportunities and expand collaborations and funding sources among potential funders

• Comply with and implement UCANR, UCCE, and county policies

• Accomplish all potential advocacies, explore climate resilient and advanced technologies that may enhance productivity of the counties and resource conservation of the regions

• Regularly attend Farm Bureau, County Department Head and other relevant meetings; provide respective County UCCE updates and progresses

The Area Director oversees management of the physical plant and human resources. They will make all possible efforts to increase the visibility of UCCE through community engagement, including but not limited to: needs assessments, representation of UC ANR in local and/or regional initiatives; participation in relevant policy development; and communication of positive impacts and benefits realized by the citizens and workforce of the local counties, region and state from the activities and contributions of local UCCE programs.

Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in Alameda or Contra Costa County based on the candidate selected and will have equal distribution of FTE and physical presence between both counties.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $124,700.00/year to $182,800.00/year

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including vacation, sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at:

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. To ensure full consideration, the first application review date will be 12/2/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

45%

Administration:

• Provide vision, inspire, and motivate others with attitude and actions, set a high standard for excellence and support teamwork and a positive working environment.
• Secure funding and space provisions from each county in support of UCCE programs.
• Cultivate relationships with new and existing partners, including counties, to obtain necessary resources to build new programs and expand UCCE's reach.
• Work with UC ANR development officers to increase the number of donors and average gift value to augment funding supplied by counties and other sources.
• Provide guidance, direction, and leadership for UCCE Advisors and their educational and applied research programs.
• Participate in the development of vacancy announcements, recruitment, and retention of advisors and staff.
• Demonstrate leadership toward Affirmative Action within UCCE, promoting a culture of belonging.
• Provide oversight for staff performance evaluations.
• Develop an organizational structure that optimizes the use of human resources and skills in the counties.
• Understand and uniformly apply UC and county administrative policies.
• Take disciplinary action when needed following UC and county procedures.
• Set and communicate reasonable deadlines to UCCE academics and staff for required reports, records, and submissions.
• Provide useful and timely feedback to senior leadership and partners as needed.
• Perform all other duties as they may emerge.

20%

Communication:

• Maintain effective communication between the University and county government.
• Maintain and nurture positive working relationships with UCCE academics and staff.
• Maintain positive working relationships with public and private agencies within all three counties.
• Provide active, ongoing advocacy and support for UC ANR programs.
• Represent UC as a resource and contact person to industry leaders, producers, academics in other institutions and the public.
• Respond in a timely way to regulatory, state and federal agencies, external groups, industry organizations and the mass media on issues related to UC ANR.
• Participate in regular AD teleconferences and in-person meetings in Davis or other locations.
• Conduct academic/staff meetings in each county on a regular schedule.

15%

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility:

• Provide support, advice, and motivation for UCCE advisors and staff in both counties.
• Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations across UCCE programs.
• Convene and facilitate an Advisory Committee in each county consisting of local government, non-profits, non-government organizations, other key partners, and academics, as a sounding board for ideas and strategic planning.
• Coordinate activities and programs with other Directors as needed.
• 
  Develop collaborative relationships with county government departments including the Agricultural commissioner, non-profit agencies, agricultural industry organizations, and other aligned partner organizations.

10%

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning:

• Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in in-service training, seminars, workshops, UC ANR work group and program team meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.

10%

Government Affairs:

• Communicate needs, successes, and opportunities with UC ANR Government Affairs staff. Collaborate with UC ANR Government Affairs staff to build relations in state and local government.

Requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in public administration, organizational development, business administration or a related area and/or equivalent level of training and experience. Individuals with training and experience in county government, institutions of higher learning, management of applied agricultural and social research programs and other fields of study, involving sustainable agriculture, natural resources, resource conservation, climate resilience, ecology, community development, and sociology will also be considered.

• Strong background in management, administration or similar experience including, but not limited to, business operations, budget and fiscal management, human resources, conflict resolution, leadership in multidisciplinary teams, project management, facilities planning, etc.

• Demonstrated experience with applied research and educational programs, and working with academics.

• Knowledge and experience in supporting volunteer and youth programs.

• Understanding of the UC ANR strategic missions and visions.

• Demonstrated record of skills in leadership, strategic planning, program evaluation and supervisory skills that motivate and develop staff.

• Ability to achieve goals by promoting collaboration, networking, and team building.

• Familiarity with outcomes and impacts of research findings and adoption.

• Ability to understand impacts and communicate to clientele and broader audiences.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in communicating and collaborating with elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and diverse stakeholders and interest groups.

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent fiduciary and budgeting skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Doctorate degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Working knowledge of agriculture, natural resources and/or healthy families and communities, Cooperative Extension, academic programs, etc.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must live within a commutable distance of the position headquarters during period of appointment.

• This is not a remote work position.

• Must be physically be in each county one day per week for stakeholder meetings, and schedule three full days of work in each CE office monthly.

• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed.

• Must comply with regulatory agency reporting requirements (California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act).

• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

To apply, please visit:

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