Assistant Director Davis, CA, Job ID 81762

Assistant Director Davis, CA, Job ID 81762

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The Government and Community Relations (GCR) Assistant Director will expand and strengthen the UC ANR Government and Community Relations team. This position will increase capacity to build and maintain excellent working relationships with key internal and external partners and with elected officials in local, state, and federal governments.

This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed and ends one year from date of hire with the possibility of extension if funding permits.

The home department for this position is Government & Community Relations. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $81,500/year to $115,800/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/24/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

80%

Government Relations

• Under the supervision of the Government and Community Relations Director, develop, short & long term strategic plans, and implement government and community relations strategies that advance UC ANR's mission.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain effective relationships with government officials and their staff in the policy making process.
• Works closely with UC ANR units, in particular Strategic Communication, Development Services, Contracts and Grants and other administrative and program units across UC ANR.
• Under the supervision of the Government and Community Relations Director, works closely with UC Office of the President Government Relations offices in Oakland, Sacramento, and DC.
• Build/maintain excellent working relationships with key internal and external partners, typically at the highest level, including arranging meetings, events, tours/site visits or other opportunities to showcase UC ANR and serving as a strong advocate for institutional goals and objectives.
• May oversee all aspects of complex external relations programs, projects and events, including coordinating special programs and overseeing production of audio / visual or written and visual materials
• Work closely with senior administration and other relevant contacts to develop and implement effective strategic plans that promote, advocate for and highlight achievements, activities and programs of UC ANR.
• Communicate UC ANR's mission, strategic and tactical plans, and technical capabilities and needs to federal, state and tribal officials, staff, and other visitors.
• Assist in the preparation of supporting testimony for committee hearings, as necessary.
• Closely monitor developments within federal, state, local, and tribal governments that may affect UC ANR programs and interests, and communicate developments and analysis to UC ANR leadership.
• Develop UC ANR outreach materials designed for government audiences.
• Interpret and advise UC ANR staff on policies regarding interactions with federal, state, local, or tribal officials, and with official visitors.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws, regulations, and/or rules, standards and guidelines.

20%

Community Relations

• Develop and manage relationships with key community stakeholders, including businesses, civic groups, and academic institutions.
• Plan, develop and implement programs to promote community awareness of UC ANR.
• Ensure UC ANR representation and membership with local/regional boards and committees.
• Counsel and coordinate with UC ANR management and staff on effective and appropriate employee engagement with community organizations.
• Incorporate UC ANR, where appropriate, in community events, fairs, and other events.
• Quickly and appropriately identify, address, and mitigate unforeseen and/or rapidly unfolding events that may negatively impact relationships between UC ANR and various constituencies, keeping senior management appropriately advised and notified.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Knowledge of local, state, congressional, and executive branch policies and programs and knowledge of the policy environment that shapes the opportunities for agriculture, natural resources, nutrition education, economic, and youth development programs.
• Advanced knowledge of practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituencies.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to produce information that is appropriately presented and effectively received by target constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, anticipatory, proactive, and work well on teams.
• 3+ years working in Congress, the state legislature, or county government.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated passion and/or knowledge of agriculture and/or natural resources.
• An understanding of UC ANR's primary programs and mission areas.
• Experience working with senior executives and senior staff.
• Advanced degree in agriculture and/or natural resources, public policy, or related field.
• Advanced knowledge of UC ANR, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, issues of concern, and infrastructure.
• Advanced knowledge and experience relating to California county government, state legislature, congressional processes, and policies and programs.
• Ability to navigate sensitive or complex political issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, boards of directors, staff and external individuals and groups, both orally and written.
• Ability to work with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of members of the community.
• Demonstrated experience as a government and/or community relations professional.
• Advanced knowledge of higher education, preferably in California or with other land-grant institution.
• Active listening skills, including advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues.

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.
• 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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