Job ID: 72086
Location: RIVERSIDE
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Job Description
The SGMA Technical Assistance Community Educator for Small Farms will conduct technical assistance, extension education, and policy analysis and communication to support small-scale farms during the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The SGMA TA Community Educator will assess regional needs of small-scale farmers relevant to SGMA implementation and determine appropriate methods for outreach, education, and technical assistance. Duties include visiting farms to provide individual technical assistance; developing educational materials; conducting outreach activities, workshops, and field days; participate in strategic planning and evaluation of statewide program deliverables and objectives; facilitating access to resources available from nonprofit and private sector partners; attending meetings of local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs); reviewing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs); and analyzing groundwater management policies to generate recommendations.
The SGMA TA Community Educator will work under the general supervision of the Small Farms SGMA Technical Assistance Academic Coordinator II and will collaborate closely with UC ANR Small Farms Advisors and staff based in relevant county regions. Project work will be coordinated with the statewide team for SGMA technical assistance for small farms as well as the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and other nonprofit and agency partner organizations. This position is part of a statewide team providing technical assistance to small farms with SGMA implementation in multiple counties under the UC ANR Small Farms Network, a program of UC SAREP. As part of the statewide network, the Small Farms Community Education Specialist will identify one or more areas of content expertise related to production, regulatory compliance, or marketing in which to serve as a subject matter expert and a lead worker coordinating development of educational materials on specialized topics.
This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.
This position will cover Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
The home department is the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program. While this position normally is based at 2980 Washington Street Riverside, CA 92504, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements, for applicants living in the State of California, at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.
Pay Scale: $59,000/year to $81,200/year
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 09/26/2024.
Key Responsibilities:
| 30% | Development and delivery of extension education materials in English and Spanish:• Serve as regional subject matter expert on California groundwater policy and regulations, sustainable groundwater management, and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).• Develop training and outreach materials to assist small-scale farmers with groundwater management, water conservation, and implementation of SGMA in English and Spanish.• Analyze existing training and outreach materials and provide recommendations to partner agencies and organizations. • Plan, conduct, and evaluate workshops, field days, webinars, tailgate meetings, and other educational and extension events.• Contribute to the Small Farmer SGMA Toolkit co-developed with CAFF and other educational deliverables of the SGMA Technical Assistance Program.• Develop summaries of current and proposed management actions of local and regional GSAs with potential impacts to small-scale farmers. • Collaborate with bilingual staff in the Small Farms Network to conduct outreach and training and develop educational materials in multiple languages. • Contribute to content development and logistics for delivery of webinars conducted statewide.• Lead development of educational materials where background and expertise are sufficient to serve as a subject matter expert for specific project topics. |
| 30% | Technical assistance with SGMA implementation in English and Spanish:• Assist small-scale farmers to understand and engage with communications, governance processes, planning processes, and management actions of local and regional GSAs. • Conduct site visits to small-scale farms to assess irrigation and groundwater infrastructure and conditions and provide recommendations for improvement.• Provide technical assistance to small-scale farmers with irrigation system, pump, and well assessments.• Determine appropriate referrals to providers and resources such as mobile irrigation labs, Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) providers, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), and nonprofit organizations.• Refer small-scale farmers to consultants providing legal, engineering, geological, hydrogeologic, and environmental services and facilitate communication between farmers and consultants, including working with a translator when appropriate. • Review farm lease agreements for concerns related to SGMA, such as groundwater access, allocations, and fees, and refer farmers to nonprofit organizations and professional advisors for assistance with lease writing.• Participate in professional development and team training activities to enhance technical expertise and outreach skills. • Refer local GSAs to tools, resources, and materials needed to engage and consider impacts of SGMA implementation to small-scale farmers. |
| 30% | Outreach and Communication in English and Spanish:• Attend meetings of local GSAs and review GSPs, proposed management actions, and sub-basin coordination agreements. • Participate in local GSA public meetings and communicate updates on proposed management actions, requirements, and events to small-scale farmers in English and Spanish. • Facilitate communication between GSAs and small-scale farmer communities in English and Spanish. • Serve on committees of local GSAs such as outreach committees when possible and/or assist small-scale farmers to serve on GSA committees. • Conduct outreach and disseminate educational materials in English and Spanish through bilingual radio, social media, email lists, events, and in-person outreach to increase awareness of local GSA proposed management decisions and opportunities to participate. • Conduct farm visits to distribute educational materials and inform farmers of local GSA actions in English and Spanish. • Manage communications including farmer contacts, email lists, flyers, bilingual radio outreach, web content, videos, blog posts, newsletters, and social media platforms. |
| 10% | Data Management and Evaluation:• Coordinate with UC ANR advisors and staff, partner organizations, and small-scale farming communities to prioritize needs for outreach, training, technical assistance, and policy engagement. • Gather and analyze data on challenges for small farms with groundwater management and SGMA implementation and provide results to program leadership. • Evaluate progress towards goals and objectives, organize data for required reporting, and contribute to communicating program outcomes and impacts.• Participate in strategic planning and evaluation with the SGMA Technical Assistance Program team to prepare action plans and strategies for measuring project results.• Synthesize information on the experiences, needs, and concerns of small farms with SGMA implementation and prepare and deliver policy communications for public agencies, nonprofit partner organizations, and elected officials. |
Requirements:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience/training in the agricultural, environmental, or social sciences, or a related field.
- Continuing education in related field.
- Advanced knowledge (coursework or relevant experience) in irrigation, groundwater management, hydrology, water resources, water policy, water law, water conservation, or other topics relevant to sustainable groundwater management
- Prior experience working in an agricultural setting or working directly with farmers.
- In-depth quantitative and/or analytical skills to evaluate regional trends, policies, and management decisions.
- Advanced organizational skills to manage multiple activities simultaneously to meet objectives within prescribed timelines.
- In-depth experience in outreach, community engagement, adult education, or other community-based activities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Excel.
- Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills.
- Proficient bilingual communication abilities in English and Spanish.
Preferred Skills:
- Post-baccalaureate degrees, coursework, certifications, or work experience relevant to groundwater policy and management.
- Experience communicating technical information to culturally diverse audiences.
- Proficient bilingual communication abilities in English and additional languages such as Hmong, Iu Mien, Lao, Khmer, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Punjabi, or Korean.
- Advanced knowledge of organizational and governmental policies, procedures and regulations.
- Advanced ability to network with affiliated organizations outside the university to advance program effectiveness.
Special Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess valid California Driver’s License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
- The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
- As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
- 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.
- Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested.
About Us
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.
Collaborating to solve problems.
Connecting to serve communities.
For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California’s most pressing challenges.
UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
This position will promote, in all ways consistent with the other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the Affirmative Action goals established by the Division.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department.
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.
How to Apply
Internal Candidates: Review the job posting and click the internal applicant link to apply. Use the same credentials used to login to UCPath to access the internal UC ANR job postings in order to apply.
Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site. Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.
External Candidates: You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Review the job posting and click the external applicant link to apply. Click the ‘Register Here’ link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.
Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site. Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.
