Area Youth, Families and Communities Advisor ( Applied Research and Extension) AP 22-14

Area Youth, Families and Communities Advisor ( Applied Research and Extension) AP 22-14

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

County Locations: Inyo County, Kern County, Mono County

Location: UC ANR - Davis

Date Posted: July 14, 2023

Closing Date: August 31, 2023

Job Description: https://ucanr.edu/publicFiles/jobs/2579.pdf

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Youth, Families and Communities (YFC) Advisor. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers and educators dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and health issues. Over 150 UC ANR UCCE advisors conduct research, outreach and education from locally based CE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. Our mission is to bring the University of California directly to Californians through research, extension and education programs that support:

• Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery

• Economic success in a global economy

• A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment

• Science literacy and youth development

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 UC system.

Location Headquarters. Bakersfield or Ridgecrest, Kern County, California. Location is negotiable depending on program needs and candidate's preference.

Purpose. The Area Youth, Families and Communities (YFC) Advisor will promote healthy families and communities by designing, delivering and evaluating strategies for sustained behavior changes in youth and their families. This position will provide academic oversight of community education and outreach program staff related to families and youth including UC 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H YDP), UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program, Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Juntos. The CE advisor will provide leadership to these programs related to the broader sectors of community engagement, holistically addressing a healthy diverse community for youth and their families. The CE advisor will provide extension leadership with external stakeholders and lead community collaborative grant development linking with appropriate CE colleagues and other researchers.

The advisor will have the opportunity to work with 4-H members and their families in all communities along with the after-school setting where 4-H YDP delivery also occurs. The counties' 4-H Youth Development Programs are supported by two Community Education Specialists. A strong local nutrition network of public and non-profit organizations and agencies offering numerous collaborative opportunities is available including: Community Action Partner Kern, Community Action Partner SLO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Toiyabe Indian Health Project, Inyo-Mono Advocates for Community Action, and Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development. Nutrition programs are supported by four Community Education Specialists.

Outreach methods will include individual consultations, field days, tours, meetings, web conferences, UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journals, and an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools, along with specialized and public media outlets.

The YFC advisor will implement and evaluate these initiatives. Research opportunities may include determining which program factors or community strategies contribute to Positive Youth Development; finding effective nutritional messages and programmatic strategies that produce sustained behavior changes for children, youth and families; evaluating outcomes and effects of a coordinated multifaceted nutrition, agriculture and youth development program on outcomes such as chronic disease prevention, whole child health, health equity, positive youth development, and science literacy; and studying the efficacy of using youth as peer educators to deliver science and nutrition curriculum information.

The advisor will be expected to publish results through UC Delivers, professional articles, peer-reviewed publications, local, state, and national conferences, and local outlets.

The academic in this position will be expected to interact with UC ANR Program Teams, advisors, specialists and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand the local delivery of statewide programs.

All UC ANR CE academic appointees are responsible for performance in the areas of extending knowledge and information, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity and University and public service.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts in local communities and throughout California.

Opportunities abound for extension and research partnerships with residents, companies, local, state, and federal agencies, tribal governments, UC and CSU colleagues, and NGOs as well the variety of UC ANR programs and academics. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated Cooperative Extension colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in Kern County and also serve Mono and Inyo Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Kern County Director with input from the Inyo and Mono County Director. The CE advisor is programmatically responsible to the Statewide Community Nutrition and Health Director and the Statewide 4-H Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master's Degree is required, though other advanced degrees are encouraged in nutrition, public health-related fields, and/or youth-human development related fields along with desired expertise in community development, policy development and/or program evaluation with an emphasis on healthy living among youth, families, and communities is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements

• A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.

• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.

• This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to work onsite.

Desired Experience

• Passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension and community development.

• Experience in building partnerships with multidisciplinary teams.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan programs, manage teams, and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.

• Expertise in positive youth development, community nutrition, health equity, and/or health education.

• Experience working in diverse cultural settings including indigenous communities; experience and/or expertise in applying equity-driven values and approaches in racially and culturally diverse communities; understanding and experience with practices of inclusion.

• Knowledge of distance learning, delivery, and implementation.

Skills Required

To be successful, the CE Advisor requires skills in the following areas:

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should have a deep understanding of youth development, nutrition education, distance learning, and community health interventions. The candidate must be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within our communities and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in needs and clientele.

Communication

Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of this position. Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience. Utilizes appropriate technologies to communicate effectively over a large, remote geographical area.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with industry and other stakeholders. Due to the large geographic area, the ability to plan, collaborate, and interact with clientele and colleagues in creative ways is essential. Creativity and flexibility will be required for success.

Aware of and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion while planning and implementing programs and applied research.

Lifelong Learning

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement. Ability to shift program focus as times and organizational needs change.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/319460.pdf

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across California. We are committed to developing and supporting practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.

Learn more about

• UC ANR at https://ucanr.edu

• UC ANR in counties: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr/County_Offices/

• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/

• Our Public Value statements at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Planning/UC_ANR_Public_Values/

• DEI: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/

• Affirmative: Further to the above, Advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/

• The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 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.

About Kern County

Bakersfield, a headquarters for this position, is located in California's Central Valley, which is the richest agricultural region in the state. Kern County extends east beyond the southern slope of the eastern Sierra Nevada range into the Mojave Desert, including parts of the Indian Wells Valley and the Antelope Valley. From the Sierra the county extends across the floor of the San Joaquin Valley to the eastern edge of the Temblor Range, part of the Coastal Ranges. To the south the county extends over the ridge of the Tehachapi Mountains. Kern County has a large agricultural base and is a major producer of oil, natural gas, hydro-electric, solar, wind turbine, and geothermal power. The Central Valley area of Kern County is one of the fastest growing areas in not only California, but also the country. From year 2000 to the present population grew by 20%, while the state growth was only 10%. Kern County is a 2-hour drive to the greater Los Angeles area to the south, a 2-hour drive some of the most beautiful Pacific beaches found anywhere to the west, and a 2-hour drive to mountain areas for summer and winter recreation to the east. Bakersfield has many cultural and athletic activities, excellent schools and an affordable cost of living rating of 99.9 (California rating 149.9).

About the Eastern Sierra

California's Eastern Sierra region is noted for its beautiful mountains, open space, and recreational opportunities. It is a land of stunning contrasts with both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous 48 states. Most land is owned by governmental entities which provides open, undeveloped spaces, but it also creates unique challenges to due to its remoteness. Inyo and Mono counties unmatched natural resources include Death Valley National Park, the eastern portal to Yosemite National Park, Devil's Postpile National Monument, Mono Lake, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and two of America's most renown National Forests.

Ridgecrest, Bishop, and Mammoth Lakes are the main commercial centers in the region, all linked by US Highway 395. Ridgecrest, a headquarter city for this position, is home to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and a cost of living rating of 102. It is centrally located between Greater Los Angeles, Bakersfield and the recreational opportunities of the Sierra Nevada. Ridgecrest is home to Cerro Coso Community College which has extensive expertise in remote educational delivery.

Please refer to the following websites for more regarding UCCE in Kern County and the Eastern Sierra.

Kern County - https://cekern.ucanr.edu/

Inyo/Mono Counties - https://ceinyo-mono.ucanr.edu

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($74,500) to Step VI ($98,400). Step placement in the advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/358478.pdf. If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position without change to the candidate's current rank, step, salary and/or appointment terms; and if applicable, is eligible to retain indefinite status.

This position is eligible for indefinite status following three successful reviews and subject to terms noted in UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315 https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/118501.pdf

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of the University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #22-14)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by August 31, 2023

- (open until filled)

Questions?

Contact Mikyla Perez; email: mailto:mikperez@ucanr.edu

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

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.

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