University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources seek Fire Advisor, Applied Research & Extension Serving Mariposa County
Fire Advisor - Applied Research & Extension Serving Mariposa County
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor
The advisor will work with and provide a point of connection for landowners, agencies, local governments and community members to work together toward fire resilience. The research will inform management and policy efforts in the county with potential throughout California. The intent is to have this position help build community fire adaptation and resiliency and reduce California’s social, physical, and ecological vulnerability to wildfire.
The position will be part of the UC ANR network of Fire Advisors that is filling an important niche; providing critical capacity, coordination, and science-based momentum for an accelerated approach to California’s fire problem. As such, the advisor’s work will also connect with UC ANR Forest and Rangeland Advisors, UC campus-based specialists and faculty, and with the UC ANR volunteer networks (e.g., UC Master Gardener, UC Master Naturalist, and UC 4-H).
This is an exciting opportunity to have meaningful impacts in the communities of Mariposa, Madera and Fresno Counties and throughout California. The area covered by this position is part of the Southern Sierra, which is one of the regions most affected by tree mortality in California, therefore fire risk is high. Although recent outreach efforts have helped improve the communities’ awareness of benefits of prescribed fire, the use of prescribed fire as a tool in the regions is still very limited. The advisor would continue to promote use of prescribed fire on private, public, and tribal lands
Opportunities abound for research and extension partnerships that link clients and resource professionals across multi-sectors with relevant science-based information and promote effective problem solving. The advisor will join 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 is based in Mariposa County – with coverage in Madera and Fresno Counties. There is an opportunity to work collaboratively across counties.
Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) County Director for Mariposa County
Required Qualifications:
Education: A minimum of a master's degree is required in a natural resources field with experience in either the social or ecological aspects of fire science and management.
Additional Requirements
The desired candidate will benefit from a background in science delivery and extension, including organizing and hosting conferences, professional meetings and workshops, trainings, webinars, and science-related field tours; developing written extension materials, including research briefs, synthesis papers, blog posts, fact sheets, brochures, and handouts; and using social media and other web-based tools to deliver research findings is desired.
· Experience in fire-related research, and field- and survey-based research skills and participatory research methods is helpful.
· Live within a commutable distance of the position headquarters during period of appointment.
· Experience in successful Extension programming or community development.
· Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, manage teams and implement a research program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.
· Passion and desire to pursue a career in Extension and community development.
· A Certified Rangeland Management or Registered Professional Forester license may be required or encouraged over time depending on the focus of the advisor's program.
Desired Experience
- Experience in working across multi-sector partnerships
- Experience in disaster response, wildland management, prescribed fire, home hardening and infrastructure protection, workforce training, economic development, community recovery, public health and air quality, and fire impact analysis on agricultural products is highly desirable Skills Required
To be successful, advisors require skills in the following:
- Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts related to California’s fire challenges and be able to design and implement programs that lead to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and may even need to change the focus of their work.
- Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.
- Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others. 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
How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #21-24)
Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 10, 2022 (open until filled).
Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce; email: tavoce@ucanr.edu Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.
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, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
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.