UC Cooperative Extension Specialist - Workforce Development - Davis

UC Cooperative Extension Specialist - Workforce Development - Davis, CA (AP 25-30)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window

Open date: October 30, 2025

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

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Position Overview

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

The Workforce Development Specialist will lead applied research, curriculum development, coordination, and statewide extension efforts to study, design, and implement innovative workforce programs aligned with California's evolving food, agriculture, natural resource, and bioeconomy sectors. The Specialist will address critical issues that will aid Californians-especially youth, underserved, and non-traditional learners-in acquiring the skills and credentials needed to access high-demand jobs and build inclusive economic prosperity.

The Specialist will collaborate with UC ANR statewide programs and institutes (e.g., UC ANR Innovate, 4-H, UC Master Gardeners, UC California Naturalist, Community Nutrition and Health, and the ANR Policy Institute), campus-based programs, and county-based UCCE Advisors to develop, pilot, and evaluate new workforce pathways and experiential learning models that extend beyond traditional college degree programs. These programs may include challenge-based learning, short- and long-term credentials, and career readiness initiatives in partnership with K-12 schools, community colleges, workforce boards, non-profits, and industry partners. To aid in implementing these new workforce development programs, the Specialist will conduct applied research to review and assess existing programs in California, other states, and other countries while working to tailor these models to unique and diverse contexts across California.

This position will bridge education and workforce systems, UC research, and California's agricultural and environmental priorities, ensuring that UC ANR programs prepare learners with relevant skills, industry-recognized credentials, and access to equitable career pathways.

UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs for appropriate clientele groups in California communities. UCCE Specialists have programs primarily focused on mission-oriented research or creative work that supports 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 practical, cost-effective solutions for problems facing society 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.

The extension and outreach 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 delivering in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences. Much of this work will be 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 the University and the public. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University but fulfills the University's public service mission through community-engaged scholarship and statewide extension.

Location Headquarters. The position will be housed with the UC ANR Innovate Statewide Program at UC ANR headquarters, 2801 2nd Street, Davis, CA, 95618. It is not a remote position: the candidate must be available to work onsite at the agreed-upon office location.

Position Details

The Specialist will focus on workforce innovations across a range of emerging and applied domains, including but not limited to:

Challenge-based STEM programming - such as the Ag Robotics Challenge and AgTech Academy, which engage high school and community college students in hands-on agricultural problem-solving.

Certificate and microcredential programs - designed to prepare learners for careers in agricultural technology, sustainable farming, irrigation management, biological inputs, or community food systems.

Work-based learning and internships - expanding UC ANR's capacity to deliver inclusive youth and adult internships, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship programs in partnership with employers and regional ecosystems.

Workforce-aligned 4-H initiatives, such as curricula in agriscience, business skills, climate resilience, and food innovation, are delivered through new and nontraditional 4-H delivery modes.

Curriculum and instructional design support-for UC ANR staff and academic personnel implementing educational programs for K-16 and adult learners across urban and rural communities.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

Conduct scholarly and applied research on workforce development topics. Areas of research for this specialist might include:

o Analyzing the effects of existing workforce development strategies and programs in California, across the U.S., and globally,

o Implementing workforce development programs and evaluating their impacts using evidence-based methods and continuous improvement practices,

o Partnering with California employers to study the viability of on-the-job trainings, apprenticeships, and other employer-based strategies for facilitating upward career mobility,

o Evaluating student outcomes and experiences from existing and newly developed curricula, especially those targeting youth, underserved, and non-traditional learners,

o Documenting job market trends, skill gaps, and unemployment, and identifying factors contributing to robust and well-functioning labor markets.

o Appraising alternative workforce pathways, particularly non-traditional educational pathways, based on their short- and long-run outcomes for participants.

o Creating evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness, accessibility, and impact of non-traditional learning models, workforce interventions, and other strategies for enhancing labor market outcomes.

Publish research findings in relevant peer-reviewed journals, applied research outlets (e.g., California Agriculture), and industry- or public-facing magazines, news outlets, and media.

Conduct and report workforce needs assessments to identify priority issues, skills gaps, and opportunities for K-16 and adult learners across California's food, agriculture, and natural resource sectors.

Develop, implement, and evaluate UC ANR Cooperative Extension workforce development programs that align with ANR's Strategic Vision, Public Value Statements, and Statewide Initiatives.

Provide subject matter expertise in curriculum and instructional design for certificate programs, challenge-based learning, youth education, and adult workforce initiatives.

Design and implement workforce development strategies aligned with UC ANR's mission and the needs of California's agri-food and natural resource sectors.

Lead curriculum development for non-credit, certificate, and microcredential programs that support youth and adult learners, which are delivered directly by UC ANR or in partnership with external partners and stakeholders.

Work with other UC ANR Specialists and Advisors, UC campus faculty, local communities, industry stakeholders, educational partners, and others to identify statewide and local needs based on emerging skill gaps and job market trends and to deploy high-impact learning experiences statewide.

Integrate challenge-based and experiential learning models such as the Ag Robotics Challenge and AgTech Academies.

Develop or co-develop and facilitate professional development for UC ANR staff and volunteers delivering workforce-related programs.

Organize workforce convenings, trainings, and outreach events.

Secure competitive funding from state and federal agencies, foundations, and industry.

Counties of Responsibility: This statewide position supports UC ANR programs and academics serving youth and adult learners across California. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship: This position will report directly to the UC ANR Chief Innovation Officer. It is a statewide position requiring collaboration with UC ANR personnel and external partners throughout California.

Qualifications and Skills Required . click apply for full job details