Climate Smart Agriculture Community Education Specialist 3 Fresno, CA, Job ID 76622

Company: University of California Agriculture and Natural R
Location: Fresno
Posted on: April 22, 2025

Job Description:

Climate Smart Agriculture Community Education Specialist 3 Fresno, CA, Job ID 76622

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

As part of a statewide cohort of Climate Smart Agriculture Specialists, the Community Education Specialist 3 (CES 3) will coordinate outreach and education efforts and provide technical assistance to increase farmer adoption of climate smart practices targeted at soil health, manure management, and water quality goals. The CES 3 will provide direct technical assistance to farmers and ranchers, develop, design, and evaluate educational materials, develop, plan, and deliver presentations, develop, and conduct effective methods to increase outreach, and participation in program evaluation, needs assessments, and strategic planning for outreach and extension efforts leading to the increased adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture management practices across the state. In partnership with local coalitions, the CES 3 will provide technical assistance to growers on irrigation and nutrient management reporting requirements established by the water boards.

The CES 3 will provide direct one-on-one technical assistance and extension support to farmers and ranchers in implementing Climate Smart Agriculture existing and new practices and technologies on farm, including soil health, compost management, and irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer efficiency management practices to mitigate greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change impacts such as droughts while maintaining high environmental quality standards established in the state. CES 3 will identify one or more areas of content expertise for Climate Smart Agriculture management practices highlighted in California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Office of Environmental Farming Innovation's Climate Smart Agriculture Incentive Programs in which to serve as a subject matter expert and lead worker coordinating the development of educational materials on specialized topics.

The CES 3 will assist their direct supervisor with research activities, data management, program evaluation, and report compilation to demonstrate program reach and impacts across the state.

This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed through 6/30/2026 with the possibility of extension based on funding.

Pay Scale: $49,200.00/year to $66,200.00/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 3/21/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

15%

Provide direct one-on-one technical assistance in partnership with local coalitions, to growers on irrigation and nutrient management reporting requirements established by the water boards. Conduct farm visits and meet with clientele individually to assist in meeting requirements.

25%

As part of a statewide cohort, develop and deliver effective methods to increase outreach and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers for Climate Smart grant programs. Maintain farmer contact lists and coordinate outreach through social media, newsletters, blogs, farm visits, and networking. Provide direct one-on-one technical assistance with quantification methodologies and applications to Climate Smart grant programs. Develop, prepare, amend, and reconcile project budgets with clientele.

25%

Provide direct one-on-one technical assistance and extension support to farmers and ranchers in implementing new technologies and practices, on farm. As part of a statewide cohort, assist scientists on the evaluation of new technologies and practices that could be incorporated into grant-eligible list of practices.

20%

Develop and design educational materials, and deliver and plan presentations at workshops and meetings with clientele, partner organizations, regulatory agencies, and policy makers in order to provide research-based information on Climate Smart Agriculture management practices. Serve as a lead worker on development of educational materials where background and expertise are sufficient to serve as a subject matter expert for specialized climate smart agriculture topics.

5%

Identify and develop effective methods of evaluation for workshops. Collect and organize feedback from participants at workshops and through individual farm visits. Participate in long-range planning and evaluation of outreach, extension, and training methods to increase the adoption of new Climate Smart Agriculture practices.

10%

Assist the direct supervisor with research activities and data management. Participate in data collection for field research trials, document application and implementation assistance, gather input from farmers and ranchers, manage database and Excel records, assist with tracking of activities, farmer contacts, and expenses, organize information for program evaluation, and prepare reports, summaries, and case studies. Keep accurate records and develop systems to organize reporting data.

Requirements:

• Associate degree with coursework in plant science, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, irrigation, agroecology, agronomy, agricultural engineering, agricultural science, agricultural business, agricultural economics, food safety, community development, or a related field and / or equivalent experience / training
• Proficiency in use of Windows-based computer and Microsoft Office applications
• Experience teaching and working with a diverse adult audience
• Demonstrated skills to communicate and work in large groups, small groups and one-on-one, give presentations
• Demonstrated ability to write reports, complete applications, and develop correspondence
• Strong working knowledge of agricultural practices. A strong understanding of and can communicate science basics related to carbon sequestration in soils, climate smart compost and manure management practices, water and nutrient balance in soil systems and healthy soils principles
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple project tasks
  Preferred Skills:
  
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree with coursework in plant science, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, irrigation, agroecology, agronomy, agricultural engineering, agricultural science, agricultural business, agricultural economics, food safety, community development, or a related field and / or equivalent experience / training
  • Bilingual communication/translation abilities in English and Spanish/Hmong/Mandarin/Vietnamese or other language spoken in the community
    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.
    • Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested.
    • 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.
    • Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
    • Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional 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; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
      a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
      
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Keywords: University of California Agriculture and Natural R, Modesto , Climate Smart Agriculture Community Education Specialist 3 Fresno, CA, Job ID 76622, Other , Fresno, California