Job Description
UC ANR Policy Institute - Academic Coordinator II (Associate Director) - Davis, CA (AP 25-04)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Application Window
Open date: October 10, 2025
Next review date: Thursday, Nov 13, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
Position Overview:
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for an Associate Director/Academic Coordinator II with the UC ANR Policy Institute.
Location Headquarters: UC ANR, Davis, CA.
Purpose:
The Associate Director/Academic Coordinator II will provide statewide coordination and leadership for activities of the UC ANR Policy Institute. Specifically, this position will collaborate with the Director to develop new sources of funding including preparing grant applications and engaging with donors. This position will also communicate science-based research, pursue new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers internal and external to UC ANR, oversee contracts and grants, build relationships with local, state, and federal policymakers, and serve as a resource for UC academics engaging in science-to-policy work.
The UC ANR Policy Institute (Policy Institute), housed within the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be the one-stop shop for policymakers to find and easily access scientists and cutting-edge research on issues critical to California. The Policy Institute will also connect affiliated researchers to work across specialty areas, serve as a resource for UC academics interested in expanding policy-relevant work and communications, and will establish a policy advisory board to help identify priority research areas, grant opportunities, and partnerships. The Policy Institute will also conduct original research and real-time economic analyses to remain relevant and responsive to timely, critical issues.
Alignment. As described in UC ANR's Vision 2040, California faces a complex, ever-changing regulatory environment in which science-based input and community engagement are needed to inform policy decisions and implementation. Now more than ever, solutions are needed to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and other disasters, advance more efficient methods of agriculture production, further sustainable land stewardship, strengthen food systems, and build resiliency to future impacts of social, political, and ecological challenges. As these challenges increase in complexity so, too, do their solutions. Local, state, and federal policies and regulations must adapt and be responsive, taking into consideration current scientific and technological advances.
This position will help UC ANR achieve its mission of cultivating thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California through development and sharing of equitable and collaborative science-based solutions that have national and global impact. Through research, education, extension, and outreach, this position will contribute to each of UC ANR's Public Value Statements.
Clientele. The UC ANR Policy Institute's clientele is necessarily broad given that it conducts a wide variety of activities, from conducting original research, calculating real-time economic analyses, and communicating science with policymakers. The Associate Director/Academic Coordinator II will primarily work with UC researchers and local, state, and federal policymakers, as well as partner organizations and stakeholders.
Major Duties and Responsibilities: Provide statewide coordination for activities of the UC ANR Policy Institute. Lead and contribute to effective communication efforts (e.g., develop and maintain websites, social media, blogs, and other media). Develop, adapt, implement, and evaluate program activities, training, curriculum, and other educational activities and multi-media materials aligned with strategic plan and/or clientele needs. Write policy briefs and support academics in writing policy briefs. Develop proposals for extramural funding (e.g., grants, contracts, gifts/donations). Effectively communicate science-based research to a variety of audiences. Collaborate with other UC ANR academics, campus-based specialists and faculty and/or others, to address priority issues. Oversee contracts and grants. Serve as a resource for UC academics engaging in science-to-policy work. Design and deliver professional development opportunities for academics engaging in science-to-policy communications. Create a positive environment that supports the success of the unit team and team members - includes modeling and supporting a good team working environment. Sets goals and target outputs for shared clarity of vision. Represent UC ANR in a professional manner. Liaison representation with other agencies and institutions in the public and private sectors. Be an effective listener and communicator, take responsibility for own actions, motivate others, and keep commitments. Interact with UC ANR Program Teams, specialists, campus based Agricultural Experiment Station faculty and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand Policy Institute goals. Participate in professional organizations and collaborate with federal, state and county governmental agencies, non-government organizations and others. Represent UC ANR in a professional manner. Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders and clientele. Meet with and provide responsive communications with key stakeholders (e.g., industry partners, donors, policymakers and elected officials, and others as required). Commitment to ongoing self-improvement both professionally and personally; interest in continued and lifelong learning. Promote and operationalize UC ANR's Principles of Community ( )
Reporting Relationship:
The Associate Director/Academic Coordinator II reports to the Director of the UC ANR Policy Institute who is responsible for supervision and evaluation of the position, and works closely with Associate Directors within the UC ANR Policy Institute on programs and projects. This position also collaborates with UC ANR academics, Cooperative Extension staff, other UC academics, Vice Provost of Academic Personnel, Associate Vice-President, and Vice-President.
Qualifications Required:
Required Qualifications
A minimum of a Master's degree in agricultural, environmental, social sciences, or related field, with coursework or experience relevant to agricultural extension and public policy is required at the time of appointment. Doctoral degree is preferred.
Skills Required:
To be successful, Academic Coordinators require skills in the following:
Technical Competence Demonstrated ability to prepare, deliver, and evaluate research, educational materials, and extension programming. Ability to maintain literacy in internet communications and with computer software. Administrative experience including managing contract and grant budgets, reporting and evaluation, and understanding and following institutional policies. Demonstrated ability to secure and manage extramural funding.
Communication Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including website development and management. Demonstrated ability to listen, communicate, and extend complex information in a format tailored to diverse audiences (policymakers, funders, partners, and other external stakeholders).
Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams and provide leadership for research and education activities. Self-directed, responsible, and internally motivated. Adapts to changing conditions, prepared to capitalize on opportunities and work around potential threats, shifting focus as times and organizational needs change. Demonstrated ability to model and support effective teamwork and remain open to exploring new ideas and innovative solutions.
Interest in Continued and Lifelong Learning Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement both professionally and personally.
Additional Requirements 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 or obtain valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire. This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to work onsite. In accordance with UC ANR Flexible Work Guidelines flexible work agreements are available upon approval by supervisors and periodic re-evaluation. 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 click apply for full job details