Academic Coordinator I - Student Farm Ecological Garden Manager and Educator

Academic Coordinators are appointees who administer academic programs that provide service closely related to the teaching or research mission of the University. The duties of an Academic Coordinator are primarily administrative. Individuals in an Academic Coordinator title who are assigned research or instructional duties are required to hold a dual title.

Program Overview

The Student Farm serves UC Davis students and faculty and the public with diverse learning, teaching, research and outreach opportunities focused on the plant sciences and sustainable agriculture and food systems. Knowledge and skills are developed within diverse classroom, laboratory and in-field settings through formal courses, student internships, scientific experimentation and programs offered to a variety of campus and public audiences. The Student Farm collaborates with college and other campus faculty and staff, student organizations, statewide UC personnel and various public, private and non-profit organizations in developing and delivering its programs.

The Ecological Garden provides a richly diverse model for home and community-scale food production, sustainable land stewardship, and cut flower production, and is the site of many Student Farm educational and community activities. Within the Ecological Garden, students learn, practice and explore various aspects of ecological horticulture and landscape management through numerous internships and course activities. The purpose of these opportunities is to enhance student and public understanding of ecology, horticulture, agriculture and food systems in California, with a focus on the relationships between culture, community and ecosystem. . The Flower Project uses some areas of the Ecological Garden along with other Student Farm spaces to teach about, grow and sell cut flowers. The Ecological Garden is also the primary site for the Kids in the Garden Program.

Academic Coordinator Position Overview

The Academic Coordinator (AC) position directs, manages and coordinates all activities, resources, and educational programming of the Ecological Garden and Flower Project, including coordinating with faculty affiliated with Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Sciences, Landscape Design, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, and other departments. The AC oversees the coordinated design, management, maintenance and utilization of the Ecological Garden, Student Farm Field House and associated facilities. The AC collaborates with other programs of the Student Farm, the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI), the college, and other organizations across the campus and region to promote agricultural sustainability, land stewardship, and garden-based learning.

Coordination of Academic Programs -- 85%

* Sets goals and priorities for educational programmatic activities for the Ecological Garden, Flower Project, and affiliated programing rooted in experiential and garden-based learning - including activities related to ecological horticulture, cut flower production, culturally sustaining programs, and transferable skills development.

* Manages all aspects of the 1.2 acre Ecological Garden including chickens, composting systems, and over 400 species of annual and perennial crops including native California plants, edible plants, medicinal plants and plants for natural dyes and 0.5 acres of flowers. These sites serve numerous internships and courses in plant sciences and sustainable agriculture and host around 75 field trip or campus tour groups annually.

* Works with SF Director and EG staff to develop and coordinate programming involving mentoring student employees, interns, and visitors

* Articulates learning objectives and manages assessment of student learning in the EG and associated activities

* Coordinates with faculty and children's program coordinator to develop and deliver field based experiential learning opportunities and supports faculty and graduate student research projects. This may be a tour or a more in-depth interaction

* Contributes to grant writing, budget management, staffing, and facilities management related to the Ecological Garden and Flower project and long-term planning related to the Student Farm

* Supervises, mentor, and evaluate up to 6 student employees and 20 interns per quarter. Explains ecological horticulture practices and provides in-depth field support and direct supervision for student volunteers and interns. Helps to develop and keep in order written materials to teach these concepts in the field.

* Leads technical and communication skills trainings for Student Farm Employees

* Coordinates maintenance of lands, facilities, financial resources, tools, and supplies in the EG, including but not limited to irrigation, planting and maintaining numerous crop and habitat species, composting, and chicken flock, including ongoing prioritization for student teams.

* Coordinates activities with campus and community partners in areas of student interest, such as dye plants, medicinal herbs, crop preservation and processing, and native California food plants.

University and Public Service 10%

* Provides informal, in-field instruction and tours in the practical knowledge and skills used in ecological horticulture and cut flower production

* Participates in Agricultural Sustainability Institute and UCD committee(s) related to sustainable agriculture and food systems

* Conducts outreach to growers, gardeners, teachers, UC Cooperative Extension/Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCCE and UCANR), Native community members, and the general public in Northern California to assist in disseminating information on sustainable agriculture and food systems practices.

Professional Competence and Activity 5%

* Engages in various professional activities related to garden based education, ecology, horticulture, native plants and flower production, such as participating in professional meetings, presenting posters or papers at conferences, and publishing related works.

* Engages in professional development training related to creating inclusive and culturally relevant learning environments and serving underrepresented students, especially in agricultural fields.

Anticipated start: Spring 2027

Position duration: One year term - renewable based on performance/funding

Percent time: variable, 75%-100%

* Hold a Master's degree, or equivalent experience, in ecology, agriculture, horticulture, natural sciences, education, or related field by the time the position starts.

* 2 or more years of experience in ecological management of a farm, garden, or restoration project, in a leadership role.

* Experience in facilitating and coordinating experiential learning in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or other outdoor education.

* Experience applying ecological principles in agriculture or land management, including knowledge of native plants, integrated pest management, soil fertility management, water conservation, biodiversity, and perennial crops.

* Experience mentoring and supervising students or young adults.

* 2 or more years of managing flower, fruit, vegetable, or fruit production, including crop planning and production, sales, personnel supervision, equipment operation, safety, and budgeting.

* Demonstrated commitment to creating and maintaining working and learning environments which are inclusive, diverse and welcoming.

* Experience facilitating a team approach with shared leadership, decision-making, and management, particularly with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

* Skills to facilitate group processes and to foster open dialogue, collaboration, initiative, and problem solving, especially among students and young adults.

* Experience with K-12 garden, nutrition, or environmental education.

* Supervisory skills to help employees to set and meet goals, motivate individual and collective effort, and evaluate performance.

* Experience managing relationships and partnerships with diverse community members and/or community-based organizations, such as Native communities, schools, artists, and researchers.

* Budget and infrastructure management skills.

* Knowledge of and experience with cultural uses of plants, such as for dye, medicine, food products, etc.

* Demonstrated commitment to just and sustainable agriculture and food systems.

* Strong organizational, time management, and problem solving skills to establish goals and prioritize action in busy environments.

* Demonstrated skills required for grant writing, fund raising and maintaining donor relations.

*Written and oral communication skills in Spanish

• 3-4 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state or federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

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