Community Engagement and 4-H Youth Development Advisor (AP 22-04)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

County Locations: Fresno County, Kings County, Tulare County

Closing Date: March 17, 2025

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Community Engagement and Development 4-H Youth Development Advisor for the serving Tulare, Fresno, and Kings counties. This position will create opportunities for youth to engage in meaningful civic engagement and community-based leadership experiences to prepare them to be effective public leaders. This position offers the opportunity to address multiple issues by creating youth voice and authentic opportunities to solve issues of interest and importance to youth, such as access to built and natural environments, creating welcoming community spaces for youth and environmental justice. This position is positively situated to integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth development across the region.

Location Headquarters: UCCE Tulare County, Tulare, CA

Purpose. The Community Engagement and Development Youth Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address issues related to Positive Youth Development. The successful candidate will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program using a positive youth development framework for community engagement and development.

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

• Program factors or community strategies that contribute to Positive Youth Development;
• Outcomes and impacts of a multifaceted youth development program on positive youth development;
• Efficacy and relevance of the 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development in California;
• Effectiveness of using youth as peer educators to in initiate community change through youth development programs and learning experiences.

There are excellent opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators, including local youth development partners, community service organizations, county government, and with youth-serving agencies in formal and non-formal education settings. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE 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 the UCCE Tulare office, CA and have programmatic responsibilities in Fresno and Kings Counties. The position will also provide support to the statewide network of 4-H Youth Development community educators in Community Engagement and Development.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) County Director of the UCCE Fresno/Tulare/Kings Counties., and programmatically under the 4-H Statewide Director. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in an area related to Youth and/or Adult Education (emphasizing Youth Learning theory, Psychology, Out-of-School-Time Programming, Youth and Community Development, or related areas) is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements

• Substantial experience and sensitivity to cultural differences relative to working with youth and adults
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in youth community engagement, community organizing, civic engagement or leadership development.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives
• Demonstrated experience planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that achieve youth development outcomes.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"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.

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
Desired Experience

• Ability to secure and manage extramural funding.
• Passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension

Skills Required

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

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should have a deep understanding of youth development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry and by 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. Spanish language proficiency is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with industry and other stakeholders. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.
• Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• 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) 

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. 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 resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

About Tulare, Fresno and Kings Counties Tulare, Fresno and Kings Counties are located in the south-central portion of California's San Joaquin Valley and have a growing combined population of over 1.5 million people. The largest city and the fifth largest city in California is Fresno, the county seat of Fresno County, with approximately 550,000 people. The city of Visalia is the county seat of Tulare County, and it has a population of 127,000 and Hanford as the county seat of Kings Count with a population 57,000.This area is the gateway to the Sierra Nevada mountain range with peaks of more than 14,000 feet in its Eastern half, comprised primarily of public lands within the Sequoia National Park, National Forest, and the Mineral King, Golden Trout, and Domeland Wilderness areas. In addition, Yosemite National Park is in close proximity to Fresno. Meanwhile, the extensively cultivated and very fertile valley floor in the Western half has allowed these areas to become the top producer of agricultural commodities in the United States.

UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement.

• UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
• UC ANR Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
• UC ANR UC ANR uses seven Public Value statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• 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.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($82,900) to Step VI ($105,200). 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

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 

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

Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 17, 2025 - (open until filled)
 

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page

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.