To apply, review directions on “How to Apply” and submit online application: www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=60549 For full consideration, apply by Monday, November 7, 2011.

Job Summary

Under direction of the Director for the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI), provide coordination and organizational support to the networking, education, research, and engagement activities of the national Inter-institutional Network for Food, Agriculture and Sustainability (INFAS).

In consultation with Network members, establish an action plan to identify and track the steps necessary to achieve Network goals; facilitate communication and convene Network members as a group (virtually or in person); promote community engagement with Network members and connections with other networks; and serve as a catalyst to connect people strategically where there is potential for mutual benefit.

 

Guide the development of grant proposals to secure additional funding for collaborative projects. Coordinate national symposia and other meetings to engage diverse stakeholders in discussion of critical issues. Draft and coordinate review of reports and other documents.  Organize content and provide oversight to INFAS web page. Facilitate outreach to potential new Network members.

 

Develop opportunities for mentoring and involvement of emerging leaders and young scholars seeking to address agriculture and food systems challenges.

Department Description

As part of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES), the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) at UC Davis provides a hub that links initiatives in sustainable agriculture and food systems across all departments and units of the CA&ES, the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and with other state, national, and international partners. ASI hosts the newly formed Inter-institutional Network for Food, Agriculture and Sustainability (INFAS), with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. INFAS is a national network of scholars representing university programs and other organizations that support research, education and outreach on sustainable food and agriculture systems. INFAS is a vehicle for partner universities and organizations to engage more effectively with local communities, advocacy groups, and policymakers to support collaborative solutions that ensure resilience of our food system. This position is located on the west side of campus in the ANR Building on Hopkins Road. For more information, see www.asi.ucdavis.edu.

 

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 50%

Facilitate convening Network members as a group (virtually and in person). Develop effective communication between Network members, using the most effective media.

Promote community engagement with Network members and connections with other networks, helping to identify the potential for mutual benefit.

Assess and develop suitable opportunities to secure additional funding resources for collaborative initiatives with Network members to produce successful funding proposals supporting collaborative activities.

Develop opportunities for mentoring and involvement of emerging leaders and young scholars throughout the U.S. who are seeking to address agriculture and food system challenges.

Provide outreach to potential new Network members, based on guidance from current members. Guide process to orient new members into the Network.

Guide and support collaborative efforts to draft joint statements, proposals, and other documents.

Research diverse scholarly and community perspectives and approaches to key food system challenges.

Assist in developing a national forum for information exchange to engage diverse perspectives and connect scholarly and community perspectives.

Coordinate development of content for an INFAS web page.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & COORDINATION 50%

Establish action plan, in consultation with Network members, to identify and track the steps necessary to achieve goals of the Network.

Schedule, organize, coordinate, and plan network meetings, conferences, and symposia. Coordinate logistical arrangements. Produce reports of meetings and track follow-up on decisions and action items.

Organize network collaborators in developing, writing, editing, and submitting grant proposals.

Draft, edit, coordinate review and distribution of joint statements, reports, and other documents.

Research, compile, review, and summarize information for Network and stakeholder use, website content, presentations, and publications.

Create and maintain listservs or other social networking infrastructure to disseminate information and engage stakeholders.

Collect data and participate in monitoring and evaluation activities, including the assessment and reporting of program impacts.

Ensure all Network website information is accurate and current.

 

Minimum qualifications

Program management experience including goal establishment, planning, analysis, organization, leadership, and conflict resolution.

Experience developing and writing sponsored research and/or private grant proposals for a variety of funding sources.

Experience identifying and using the most effective communication approaches and media (both on-line and off-line), to communicate issues, technical concepts, and politically sensitive information.

Experience planning and organizing meetings and/or events including developing event concepts, setting goals, objectives, needs, evaluation and measurable outcomes of event, and follow-up.

Interpersonal relationship building skills to identify and nurture potential working relationships and alliances, facilitate cooperation, and provide motivation for engagement.

Verbal and written communication skills to interact with diverse groups of individuals to convey and discuss complex ideas and concepts, secure and/or provide information, clarify situations, and resolve problems.

Organizational and time management skills to coordinate projects and people, prioritize and track multiple functions simultaneously, and meet critical deadlines.

Experience researching, writing, editing and proofreading materials using language appropriately and creatively, and correct grammar, spelling and punctuation to produce concise written materials.

Analytical skills to identify opportunities for mutual benefit, identify potential problems, formulate logical conclusions, and/or suggest alternative solutions.

Research skills to gather facts and information from a variety of sources, and organize information in a meaningful and useful manner.

Proficiency with computer software and hardware to utilize word processing, spreadsheets, database, web editing, presentation, desktop publishing, calendar, mail and internet functions (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, etc).

Preferred qualifications

Experience translating scientific information for a lay audience.

Knowledge of or background in the principles, practices and issues of sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Experience working in a higher education environment.

Ability to work in a collaborative team setting, including working with faculty members from different disciplines, institutions, and cultures.

Ability to think strategically about network development, including seeing patterns and connecting ideas and people.

 

Physical Demands

Work at computer station for extended period of time. Lift and move supplies and equipment weighing up to 20 lbs.

 

Work Environment

Work in shared office area with traffic and noise from office equipment, telephone conversations, computers, printers, etc.

Occasional overnight travel to attend in-state and national meetings, conferences and/or symposia.

Occasional overtime including evenings/nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs.

Expectations

¨        Exercise sound judgment in prioritizing and organizing workload with multiple deadlines, distributing effort appropriately among the projects, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high level of productivity.

¨        Perform essential responsibilities in a timely manner with attention to detail.

¨        Maintain flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing situations in a positive manner.

¨        Research and/or provide information to clarify situations and resolve problems.

¨        Anticipate problems/roadblocks and associated consequences, taking appropriate initiative.

¨        Maintain a high degree of discretion, integrity and sensitivity to confidentiality and privacy; maintain confidential records and disburse information in a manner consistent with university policy.

¨        Learn the relative roles of faculty, staff and administrators, and the protocols for effective communications and interactions between these parties in the university environment.

¨        Effectively and diplomatically interact with individuals of varying ages and diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives.

¨        Work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team.

¨        Read and follow the UCD Principles of Community.

¨        Participate in the annual CA&ES commencement exercise.

 

Department Job Scope

Network goals include devising the best means to engage students in real-life community food work, promote deeper institutional support, and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders including alternative and conventional agricultural interests.

 

Position is the only ASI staff position devoted entirely to supporting the Network. This person will receive support from ASI’s support team members.

Salary & Contract Information

$3,009.00 – $5,416.17/month full-time salary rate.  Actual salary will be based on experience and funds available.  The initial contract will end one year from the date of hire, and is renewable for an additional year, with the possibility of further extension.