Agricultural Operations and Programs Manager

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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The IRD for this job is: 10-07-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Center for Agroecology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) maintains more than thirty acres of land for organic crop production, research, education, and outreach. This land and associated facilities have been in operation for over 50 years and serve as the primary classroom for a diverse range of hands-on programming that spans academic, research, and community programs. This includes research and education programs for the Environmental Studies department, Agroecology major, research and education programs serving multiple campus divisions, co-curricular student engagement opportunities, the Apprenticeship Program, short courses and community workshops. The Center for Agroecology also serves as a public demonstration site open daily for use by university students, K-12 students, and the general public.

The incumbent's work will support the Center for Agroecology's mission to advance agroecology and equitable food systems through experiential education, participatory research, agricultural extension, collaborative program-building, community engagement, and public service. UCSC is a Hispanic-serving institution with R1 research standing, one of only 25 campuses nationwide, a Minority-Serving Institution, and an Asian American and Native American-Pacific Islander Serving Institution, and it is imperative that the incumbent has the skill, experience, and capacity to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Center for Agroecology work and programming.

More information can be found at: https://https://agroecology.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the UCSC Center for Agroecology Executive Director, the Agricultural Operations Manager is responsible for the overall success and function of the Center's agricultural operations, which are foundational to education, research, and extension programming. The incumbent is responsible for broad decisions that will direct and impact the coordination, planning, and management of a diverse array of agricultural operations (tractor-cultivated fields, gardens), facilities (research labs, operational buildings, and educational facilities), and programs (academic, co-curricular, cooperative extension). This position will further ensure the safety and success of the Center's physical sites through coordination with multiple campus operational units (PPDO, Risk and Safety Services, Campus Trades, Fleet Services, etc.) as well as governmental agricultural agencies (County Agricultural Commissioner, CDFA, Central Coast Waterboard, etc.) to ensure facilities and staff compliance with various levels of policy requirements (campus, county, state, federal).

The Agricultural Operations and Program Manager will supervise a team of agricultural experts and facilities staff and develop a strong team culture of collaboration, trust, and innovation that supports a healthy, dynamic, and engaging workplace. The incumbent is responsible for all staff and related program management aspects, including annual reviews, unit and campus-required training, protocols and procedures, and monitoring program budgets.

The Agricultural Operations and Program Manager is a key staff position supporting both on and off-campus collaborations that extend the reach of center programs and facilities and increase utilization and impact. This position will work with both small and large collaborative teams, ranging from campus to international scales, and integrate the expertise and value of center staff and facilities in these partnerships. This position supports proposal development across diverse Center efforts, focusing on agronomic and extension-based efforts, and will work closely with faculty and academic researchers as well as NGOs and CBOs.

This position will have a deep knowledge of agroecological practices, systems, and values and will feel confident utilizing these principles to support the management of the center's operations and programs. The incumbent's work will support the Center's mission to advance agroecology and equitable food systems through experiential education, participatory research, agricultural extension, and public service. It is imperative that the incumbent has the capacity and expertise to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of Center work and programming.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $115,000 - $120,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 005943 (AGRICULTURE MGR 1)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

45% - Program/Project Development, Management and Coordination

• Manages overall coordination of operations team staff to facilitate the successful implementation and creation of ongoing and new programs and projects with a particular focus on agronomic and extension-centered work.
• Reviews, prepares and monitors operational and program budgets of operations team staff.
• Develops plans to support integration and collaboration of operations team staff with administrative and program team leads to ensure programmatic cohesion, success, and achievement of unit objectives.
• Coordinates directly with faculty, extension specialists, and external partners on program deliverables and delegates implementation to operations staff.
• Collects and reports on program metrics.

35% - Administration and Management

• Manages the accountability and stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources to achieve Center goals and objectives; makes budgetary decisions about program, facilities, and staffing allocations.
• Supervises operations staff, including agricultural site managers and facilities staff; builds and supports a strong team culture of collaboration and teamwork; provides ongoing and annual reviews of supervised staff.
• Ensures facilities and staff adherence to campus and unit policies; directs continual review and improvement of unit policies and procedures.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for campus operations leadership staff including units within PPDO and Risk and Safety Services.
• Ensures staff and program compliance with local, state, and federal agricultural regulations.

20% - Partnership Collaborations, Coordination, and Proposal Development

• Creates and maintains new and ongoing collaborations, both on and off campus, with faculty, CBOs, NGOs, Institutes of Higher Education, UCANR, etc.
• Collaborates on grant proposal development for small and large projects spanning campus, regional, state, national, and international partnerships.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in agriculture, education or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive knowledge of agroecological systems, practices, and values. Ability to support and manage agricultural professionals across garden and farm scales.
• Broad knowledge of physical plant maintenance and repairs, including plumbing, water, electrical, irrigation and HVAC systems. Broad budgetary and planning skills.
• Demonstrated experience meeting and understanding the needs and issues related to serving diverse and underserved populations in agriculture and adult education.
• Experience in grant writing and proven track record of success in agriculture proposal development.
• Proven interpersonal and management skills to effectively supervise, train, evaluate, and motivate others.
• Proven skills to evaluate program performance, demonstrate independent judgment, and identify resolution.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, delegate work assignments, and evaluate results.
• Proven ability to manage academic agricultural research trials and coordinate with faculty and research professionals.
• Proven ability to manage, read, and monitor complex program budgets from private, state, and federal sources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master Degree agriculture or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Ph.D. in agriculture or related field or equivalent professional experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to successfully work with and around a variety of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUBiz3WS3zErEGOhSOu7KZZPzGkTwr_2/view?usp=sharing. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment 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, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination