Extension Specialist - Oak Woodland Stewardship, University of California

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

The Oak Woodland Stewardship Specialist will provide statewide expertise and leadership on oak woodland management and restoration in the face of climate change effects. This specialist will provide critical knowledge and resources to forestry, rangelands, natural resources, fire, and water advisors, collaborating with them and their clientele to improve and protect more than 10 million acres of oak woodlands across the state. By engaging with a wide diversity of stakeholders including land managers, Tribes, agencies, and academics, this position will inform policy and best management practice development using new and existing research to protect ecosystems and provide public benefits. Working with existing educational programs, both within and external to UC, the specialist will provide statewide leadership in oak-related curriculum development to ensure that land managers and the general public understand and value the importance of oak woodlands and how stewardship can help make them more resilient to future stressors like pests and pathogens, invasive species, drought and alterations in weather patterns and extreme wildfire behavior.

UCCE Specialists conduct research and educational programs aimed at relevant clientele groups in California’s communities. 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 describes the complete research continuum that extends from basic research to applications of research results. Within the UCCE mission and mandate, this applied research focuses on developing practical and cost-effective solutions to address problems and challenges that communities are facing. UCCE Specialists publish applied research results in a combination of publication types, whether peer-reviewed journals or other local venues, based on the targeted audiences.

The extension and outreach programs disseminate knowledge and information to clientele groups for their use in improving their abilities to understand and address problems and opportunities facing them. 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 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 both the University and the public at large. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University but does include an appointment at UC Berkeley.

Location Headquarters. The position will be physically located at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) in Hopland, CA. HREC is an ideal location in the center of North Coast oak woodlands. The site provides diverse habitat types and relevant infrastructure and equipment to enable robust research and extension program development and delivery.

Position Details

Oaks are a keystone species that support biodiversity, blanket many critical watersheds, have high cultural importance across large areas of California, and are present on both working and conserved lands. Oak woodlands provide critical habitat for wildlife and are associated with important native plants, watershed benefits, and carbon storage and sequestration. The specialist will conduct a program that addresses critical research questions and the needs of stakeholders in stewarding these diverse and complex ecosystems. Major duties and responsibilities for this specialist include:

• Conduct applied research on oak woodland topics that might include:
  • The effects of changes in temperature and precipitation on the ecology of these systems.
  • Development and assessment methods to build resiliency and biodiversity under various climate change scenarios.
  • Potential effects of climate change in carbon storage and sequestration.
  • Evaluate the roles of disturbances such as prescribed burning, grazing, and mechanical fuel treatment to help reduce wildfire risk while maintaining habitat quality.
  • Management of pests, diseases, and invasive species impacting oak woodlands.
  • Use of existing and development of new fire behavior models to predict and examine the effects of various management practices on a regional and landscape scale.
  • Assessment of existing and development of new best management practices for relevant working lands, including livestock grazing.
  • Collaboration with Tribes to co-create research programs that address Tribal concerns and priorities.
  • Collaborative research related to natural oak regeneration.
• Develop and lead cross-disciplinary collaborations with relevant advisors, specialists, and external stakeholders to enhance understanding of climate change impacts on oak woodlands. Lead focused efforts on developing and disseminating practical adaptive management strategies for improving oak woodland health and resiliency in the face of these pressures.
• Support the development of the Hub of Working Lands being created at the Hopland and Sierra Foothill RECs by providing academic expertise for program and infrastructure development.
• Support and enhance the UC Integrated Hardwood Rangement Management Program materials and resources such as the UC Oaks website, the California Oak Symposium, the Oak Conservation Workgroup, and the Oak Values Workshop.
• Engage with diverse parties working statewide in prescribed fire and fuels management in oak woodlands to inform the development of management practices and policies that best help steward these lands.
• Develop, in collaboration with educators and professionals, relevant educational and extension programs, both stand-alone efforts and embedded within existing curricula, that inform the general public and professional networks about the importance of oak woodlands and how to live, work, and recreate on them sustainably. Potential partners include the 4-H Youth Development Program, community colleges, CSU campuses, and UC campuses.
• Build collaborative relationships with a wide variety of external partners, including California Tribes and Tribal-led organizations, USDA NRCS, USFS, CalFire, forestry professionals, livestock producers, Certified Range Managers, Prescribed Burn Associations, Certified Burn Bosses, Resource Conservation Districts, the California Biodiversity Network and 30x30 Initiative, youth organizations, NGOs, the UC Natural Reserve System, county land use planners, and others. Provide educational resources to these partners on oak woodlands management, as well as seek their feedback on priority issues for which research and extension are needed in their regions.
• Publish research findings in relevant peer-reviewed journals, such as the Journal of Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, California Agriculture, UC ANR publications, and public-facing media outlets.

Counties of Responsibility: This state-wide position will work closely with ANR Advisors, Specialists, and staff, as well as partner organizations throughout the state. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship: The position will be located at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (REC) in Hopland, CA, and will report to the UC ANR Vice Provost for Academic Personnel. This is a statewide position, requiring collaboration with UC ANR personnel and external partners throughout California. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the Hopland REC.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) related to oak woodland stewardship (such as forest ecology, rangeland management or ecology, conservation or landscape ecology, fire ecology, or natural resources management) 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 skills in applying ecological principles and research to develop practical management advice and educational curricula.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are required.
• A track record of effectively engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Relevant and extensive multidisciplinary experience in applied research related to this position.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and applied research outlets.
• 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 a valid California Driver's License to drive a university vehicle.
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for being able to meet required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.

Desired Experience

• Experience with integrated research and educational projects and extension to diverse audiences.
• A track record of applying for and securing grant funding.

Skills Required

To be successful, Cooperative Extension Specialist positions require skills in the following:

Technical competence

• Conduct and report needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the clientele groups being served.
• Develop and implement effective UC ANR Cooperative Extension applied research and educational programs to address the identified priority needs of the clientele that are consistent with ANR’s Strategic Vision and ANR Initiatives.
• Conduct applied research designed to monitor changes and solve statewide and locally relevant problems related to oak woodland stewardship in California.

Communication

• Disseminate appropriate, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
• Maintain and promote UC ANR Cooperative Extension’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge.
• Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts to scientific and lay audiences through a variety of outreach methods and materials, e.g., peer-reviewed publications, internet, workshops, field days, and newsletters.

• Build collaborative working relationships with CE Advisors, CE Specialists, Academic Coordinators, and program staff across UC ANR, via participation in program teams and work groups.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and allied nonprofits and agencies.

• Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with industry, local government, state government, federal government, and agencies related to agricultural technology innovation and their evaluation.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing growth – both professionally and as a person.

Salary & Benefits
Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist Rank Step 1- $87,700 to Step 6 - $114,800 annually. Step placement in this series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding the Cooperative Extension Specialist series salary scales, please refer to
https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t29.pdf

This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM). 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 completion of 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 and the continuing need for the position.

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 as per the terms of University policy. ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/

 

Open date: April 24, 2025

Next review date: Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Sep 17, 2025 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.

How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position
#25-11. An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.