Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor (Tuolumne) AP#21-52

: Alpine County, Amador County, Calaveras County, El Dorado County, Mariposa County, Tuolumne County

Date Posted: January 9, 2022
Closing Date: March 11, 2022

Job Description: Download

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide program with local development and delivery, is seeking the following UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor.

Purpose. The Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program around the integration of vegetation management efforts, use of forest products, and community resilience. 

The position will involve

• Enabling successful biomass businesses and wood product innovation through technical assistance for the development and implementation of community vegetation management projects
• Enhancing the ability of communities to meet local and regional regulatory forest management program goals (may involve air quality, biomass conversion, manufacturing, among others)
• Strengthening community and economic resilience by fostering innovation and a diverse business community

This position offers the opportunity to bring focus to community scaled vegetation management and natural resource-based manufacturing which will contribute to the enhancement of both private industry biomass utilization and long-term community resilience.  The Advisor will develop and conduct programs with the recognition of a changing climate and the imperative of keeping communities safe in areas of high wildland fire risk.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts in local communities and throughout California.

Opportunities abound for extension and research partnerships with: residents; business owners; forest, rangeland and agricultural landowners and managers; local, state and federal agencies; non-government organizations; communities; and local government. The Advisor will be joining a network of colleagues across UC ANR who are currently addressing related issues.  The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California.  The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless.

Counties of Responsibility.  This position will be headquartered in Tuolumne County and also serve El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Alpine Counties.  

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) County Director for the Central Sierra MCP with input from the Mariposa County UCCE County Director. 

Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in wood or forestry science, or in manufacturing, engineering, design related to forest product utilization, or related field is required at the time of appointment. 

• Valid driver license.
• Solid understanding of forest management and/or opportunities for the use of forest products
• Live within a commutable distance of the position headquarters.

• knowledge of engineered wood products, wood science, biomass energy, and/or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience in rural communities and natural resource-based economies.
• Passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension and community development
• Experience in building partnerships and with multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan programs, manage teams, and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives

To be successful, the CE Advisor requires skills in the following area:

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should have a deep understanding of forest management, the potential use of forest products, and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry and by clientele. 

Communication

• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.  Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of this position. 
• Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with industry and other stakeholders.  Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.  
• Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lifelong Learning

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement - both professionally and as a person. Ability to shift program focus as times and organizational needs change.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/319460.pdf

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across California.  We are committed to developing and supporting practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians.  UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.

Learn more about

Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Assistant CE Advisor Rank and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications.  For information regarding CE advisor series salary scales, please refer to: 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 vacation, sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year.  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 #21-52)

Closing Date:  To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 11, 2022 – (open until filled)

Contact Alma Jackson- 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

Please note the UC Policy on COVID vaccination and working for UC:  For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, the policy will require, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office." Please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2021/07/ucs-covid-19-vaccine-policy.html  for more information.

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.