Beneficial Burning and Tribal Land Stewardship Advisor (Applied Research and Extension) Mendocino and Lake Counties (22-16)

: Lake County, Mendocino County

Date Posted: March 26, 2024
Closing Date: May 20, 2024

Job Description: Download

Preamble for context: We recognize that each Tribe and Tribal community have unique histories and relations and may have different priorities and goals. We will strive to do our best to incorporate diverse feedback and visions in an inclusive and transparent process. Further, we recognize that who is hired, and the program they develop, will have a large impact on how this position and their work evolve. A first part of this person’s job will be to conduct an assessment to understand the particular situation of each Tribe, their interests, goals, and priorities, which will inform the development of their program. 

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Beneficial Burning and Tribal Land Stewardship Advisor. 

The overarching goal of this position is to support Tribes and Tribal-led organizations with implementation and monitoring of cultural burning and Tribal land stewardship as a fire hazard mitigation and eco-cultural revitalization strategy. This will enhance the resilience of our regional communities and fire-adapted ecosystems and support Tribal sovereignty. The Advisor will partner with Tribes and Tribal-led organizations to co-create research, extension and outreach programs supporting Tribal sovereignty and futures; facilitate partnerships, networking, and funding opportunities; advance strategies to remove barriers to cultural burning; and support land stewardship opportunities.

Location Headquarters:  Hopland Research and Extension Center, Hopland, CA

Key responsibilities include:

• Partnering with Tribes and Tribal-led organizations to support capacity building within Tribal communities for planning and conducting land stewardship activities;
• Development of funding streams in close coordination with partner Tribes and Tribal-led organizations to enable program development;
• Supporting a network of Tribal-led and stewarded biodiversity landscapes, and co-creation of pathways for collaborative research that can be translated to policy;
• Providing support to Tribal, agency, and private land managers region-wide in developing Tribal land stewardship models (e.g., co-management, MOUs, cultural easements, etc.) and developing best practices for replication;
• Working with Tribes to create agreements about how data gathered from the Tribe and their activities will be used, how communication between parties will work, and how research and education activities with that Tribe or Tribal-led organization will be developed and enacted.

The Advisor will partner with Tribes and Tribal-led organizations to co-create research and extension programs that may focus on the following topics:

• Identify and evaluate barriers to effective implementation of cultural burning and Tribal land stewardship, and develop policy options to remove identified barriers;
• Monitor the effects and provide analysis of various fuel treatment and reduction strategies, including targeted grazing, intentional burns, and mechanical thinning, and their effects on invasive species, nutrient flows and culturally significant flora and fauna;
• Assess and monitor cultural and ecosystem processes and recovery after fire or Tribal land stewardship activities;
• Understand fire effects on human communities and ecosystems;
• Facilitate networking and outreach focused on fire ecology, cultural resource management, climate change adaptation, and community wildfire resilience;
• Assist with regulatory compliance process hurdles, especially CEQA and NEPA, faced by Tribes, Tribal-led organizations, and PBAs conducting beneficial burning and other land stewardship programs.

Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in forestry, ecology, ethnic studies, conservation biology, fire science, wildlife ecology, botany, ethnobotany, restoration ecology, community development, Native American Studies, agriculture, or a field related to fire ecology, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), land management, prescribed fire/cultural fire, community wildfire resilience, or related fields is required at the time of appointment.

• Lived experience and/or working with or in Tribal communities.
• Demonstrated ability in applied rangeland, forest, or fire research and extension is preferred. Passion and desire to pursue a career in Extension and natural resources management.
• 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.
• 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.
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• The advisor may be required or encouraged to become a California Certified Rangeland Manager (CRM), Registered Professional Forester (RPF), or State-Certified Burn Boss (CARX) depending on the focus of the advisor's program (as per state requirements).

Desired Experience:

• Experience in the broad areas of fire ecology, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), land management, prescribed fire/cultural fire, and community wildfire resilience.
• Developing and enacting educational programming for Tribal communities.
• Experience with community-led or community based participatory research methods.
• Experience developing collaborations, partnerships, and programs with Tribes, Tribal communities, and Tribal-led organizations.
• Track record of successful fundraising for diverse programs.

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($79,500) to Step VI ($100,900).  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: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/358478.pdf .     

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 https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/118501.pdf   

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 at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #22-16)

Closing Date:  To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by May 20, 2024 – (open until filled)

Contact Tatiana Avoce – email :  [email protected]

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.

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.