Academic Coordinator
University of California Davis
United States

Recruitment Period

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 urban home gardening and cut flower production and is the site of many Student Farm educational activities. Within the Ecological Garden, students learn, practice and explore various aspects of ecological horticulture through numerous internships and course activities. The purpose of these opportunities is to enhance student and public understanding of horticulture, agriculture and food systems in California, with a focus on plants, ecosystems and sustainability. 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, Entomology, Landscape Design, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, Engineering and the School of Education. 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, the campus and across the state to promote agricultural sustainability and garden-based learning.

Coordination of Academic Programs -- 65%
● 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 relevant programming, and transferable skills development.
● Manages all aspects of the 1.2 acre Ecological Garden including chickens, composting systems, and over 200 species of annual and perennial crops including native 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 hosts around 75 field trip or campus tour groups annually.
● Develops, conducts and assesses programming involving mentoring student employees, interns, and visitors
● Articulates learning objectives and manages assessment of student learning at the Student Farm
● 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, the written materials to teach these concepts in the field.
● Leads technical and communication skills trainings for Student Farm Employees
● Coordinates, manage and maintain all lands, facilities, financial resources, tools, and supplies, including but not limited to irrigation, planting and maintaining 150 different crop and habitat species, composting in 3 distinct systems, and maintaining chicken flock and ongoing prioritization and listing of tasks for daily crews. Maintains in orderly working order, tools and supplies for garden team.

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), and the general public in Northern California to assist in disseminating information on sustainable gardening practices.

Professional Competence and Activity 5%
● Engages in various professional activities related to garden based education, ecological horticulture and flower production such as participating in professional meetings, presenting posters or papers at conferences, and publishing related works.
● Engages in professional development trainings related to creating inclusive and culturally relevant learning environments and serving underrepresented students, especially in agricultural fields.

APPLICATIONS: Applications should be submitted on-line at (https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/). Applicants should submit: curriculum vitae or resume (required); cover letter (required); diversity statement (required); statement of teaching and mentoring (required); and 3 letters of recommendation. The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by 01/31/2021.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications
Initial appointment will be 75% for one year term renewable based on performance. This position is a term appointment and following the first positive merit advancement, appointments will normally be renewed on a two year basis.

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. The ASI is committed to the values of social justice in our work and building a diverse and welcoming organization for people of all backgrounds. People of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and other under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis-- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Basic qualifications
• Hold a Master’s degree in a natural science, agriculture, education, or related area by the time the position starts.

Preferred qualifications
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and maintaining, working and learning environments which are inclusive, diverse and welcoming.
• 2 or more years of experience managing all aspects of an educational garden and flower farm, including crop planning and production, marketing and sales, personnel supervision, equipment operation, and budgeting.
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating experiential learning in sustainable agriculture and food systems, teaching and mentoring students, and supporting student agency, initiative, and empowerment.
• 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, and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including students, faculty and the public.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, including speaking, listening, and writing.
• Supervisory skills to help employees to set and meet goals, motivate individual and collective effort, and evaluate performance.
• Budget and infrastructure management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to just and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to establish goals and priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong computer skills, e.g. Excel, google docs, relevant garden management technologies.
• Evaluative skills to analyze, define, and assess problems, issues, and needs, and identify needed actions.
• Experience working with researchers
• Experience mentoring and supervising college age students
• Demonstrated skills required for grant writing, fund raising and maintaining donor relations.
• Spanish speaking.

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring - Statement of teaching, including formal and informal teaching, mentoring and supporting learners in any context, and with any age groups.
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

• 3-4 letters of reference required