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The NextGen Academic Coordinator will join the Environmental Studies Department. The Department sees environmental problems as human problems, with societal causes, impacts, and solutions. We use methods spanning the natural and social sciences to deliver collaborative, solutions-focused insights on food systems, conservation, sustainability, climate change issues, and environmental justice.

Communities across the nation face growing environmental and social challenges that threaten farms, food security, and ecosystem health. To ensure a resilient future, we must design agricultural and food systems that support long-term productivity, provide fair and healthy food for both rural and urban communities, and protect natural resources. Yet, a major barrier remains: the shortage of a skilled workforce in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH). The NextGen project brings together the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), Hartnell College, and the Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA). Together, we will train the next generation of leaders in FANH. Our main goals are to: (1) provide students with mentoring and hands-on learning that builds technical and leadership skills for successful careers; (2) provide financial support such as scholarships, fellowships, and jobs to help students develop and reach their career goals; and (3) build a strong educational hub that connects schools, colleges, and community partners.

Working under the supervision of Professor Stacy Phillpott, the NextGen Academic Coordinator will perform the following duties:

• Support the advising and training of NextGen PhD students, which includes community-engaged methodologies and research ethics.
• Engage undergraduate and graduate students in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) research opportunities in Watsonville.
• Work closely with faculty and develop internships at multiple levels of expertise, offering a scaffolded, developmentally appropriate set of experiential learning pathways for student interns supported by the NextGen grant.
• Collaborate with Calabasas Elementary School Principal Todd Westfall and the Garden Site Council of staff and gardeners on programmatic envisioning and implementation at Calabasas Community Garden in Watsonville.
• Support the project’s quantitative and qualitative data collection efforts and related writing that documents the activities and impact of the NextGen grant activities, whether for grant proposals, project reports, presentations, or papers.
• Communicate with and act as a liaison between the Environmental Studies Department, the Center for Agroecology, Calabasas Community Garden, and the NextGen Project Director and co-Project Director team.
• Expand community partnerships in Watsonville to include groups such as United Farm Workers, El Pajaro Community Development Corporation, Barrios Unidos, Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture, and others.
• Assist in undergraduate outreach across campus to recruit students for NextGen opportunities.

The nature of the position will require the NextGen Academic Coordinator to consistently demonstrate the following abilities or skills:

• Well-developed organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite and academic software (e.g., learning management systems)
• Ability to successfully work independently and as part of a team.
• Competent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Conversational Spanish speaking ability.

Applicants with any of the following areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Three to five years of experience in academic coordination and student mentoring in a higher education setting.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Experience working with community members in an agricultural setting.
• Evidence of successful grant proposal writing.
• Evidence of peer-reviewed publications.
• Evidence of undergraduate and graduate student mentoring, especially those from historically underserved communities or with non-traditional learning modalities.
• Evidence of public speaking in an academic context.
• Evidence of teaching courses in experiential learning.
• In-depth understanding of environmental studies, sustainability and related interdisciplinary fields.
• Experience in community engagement, campus/community partnerships, and community-based research.
• Knowledge of inclusive excellence initiatives in higher education.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

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.

• “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 or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. 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.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

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.

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