Agroecology Equity Coordinator

University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Full-time Education

Posted on April 5, 2024

Apply Now

Agroecology Equity Coordinator

Location: Santa Cruz
Job ID: 64335

JOB POSTING

*Despite the Initial Review Date (IRD) passing, this position will continue to accept applications until filled.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website.

Despite the Initial Review Date (IRD) passing, this position will continue to accept applications until filled.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 02-22-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

About Career Success

The Mission of UCSC Career Success is to prepare students for what they want to do with their lives by developing relevant career skills. Career Success envisions that Banana Slugs change the world, wherever they are, however they can. Career Success works to support undergraduate and graduate students, as well as UCSC alumni. Career Success offers career coaching, holds career fairs, and works with on-campus and off-campus partners and employers to set up recruitment events, on-campus info sessions, workshops, and more. The Career Success office also connects students with experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, Career Success manages hiring for on-campus positions and supervises the onboarding process for all new student hires.

About Student Success and Equity (SSE)

The Student Success and Equity (SSE) portfolio of departments is a branch of DSAS focused on academic support services, advising/counseling, student life/co-curricular programming, student identity development, and retention/student success initiatives. Student Success and Equity provides services to the campus community with over 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students and has over 64 career employees and 475 student staff employees operating in 8 facilities/locations. The Student Success and Equity area includes a wide array of multi-disciplinary academic and non-academic units including: Disability Resource Center (DRC), Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), Learning Support Services, Services for Transfer and Re-entry Students (STARS), Renaissance Scholars Program (including Foster Youth), Veteran Resource Center, African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC), American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC), Chicano/Latino Resource Center (El Centro), Women's Center (WC), the Lionel Cantu Queer Center (LGBTQ+), Undocumented Student Services (USS), the UCSC Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives (HSI), African Black and Caribbean Student Success, Career Success, and campus committees/programs, and the Administrative and Business team for the unit.

The Student Success and Equity area includes all of the units and over 125 state, federal, student service fees and gift fund sources and an annual operating budget of nearly $18 million dollars.

About the Division

The UC Santa Cruz Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS), led by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, consists of nearly 250 team members spanning 3 major units and 21 departments. DSAS provides campus-wide coordination and leadership for student success programs, activities, and initiatives. DSAS does its work through a range of resource centers dedicated to providing direct student support. The division's work is grounded in educational equity, institutional responsibility, and an unfettered commitment to supporting the whole student. DSAS aspires to ensure every student feels welcome, supported, and a sense of belonging during their time on campus. The division's efforts are informed by robust and dynamic relationships with campus leadership, faculty, students, and staff from across the campus, reflecting the broad campus commitment to ensuring student success. Beyond UC Santa Cruz, the DSAS team is involved in numerous professional organizations and highly engaged in the local community.

About the Program

The UCSC NEXTGEN program works to build thriving, resilient social and ecological communities, sustain agricultural production, foster ecosystem functioning, adapt to climate change, and design food and farming systems that are equitable, just, and diverse. UCSC NEXTGEN supports traditionally underserved students who will be key future leaders of a food system transformation, by training students in food, agriculture, natural and human (FANH) sciences, community-engaged research, agricultural production, distribution, culinary arts, and agricultural technologies, providing them with practical job skills; (2) financially supporting students with employment, paid internships, fellowships, scholarships, housing, emergency support, culturally-relevant mentoring, and career coaching; and (3) creating opportunities for youth engagement, diverse learning communities, and FANH career education. Through funding from the NEXTGEN Program, UC Santa Cruz transforms opportunities available to underserved students, including FANH offerings, the quality and quantity of material resources, and career development and other support services.

More information can be found at: https://careers.ucsc.edu

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Experiential Learning & Student Employment, the Agroecology Equity Coordinator contributes to the efforts of the UCSC NEXTGEN program and is responsible for student coaching and mentoring, developing and running workshops on experiential learning opportunities, graduate school, and career opportunities, wellness, conducting student outreach, and program management and development in collaboration with several different units on campus. The Agroecology Equity Coordinator works as a team with a Program Coordinator at the Center for Agroecology, a Community Education Specialist at John R. Lewis College, and UCSC faculty and staff to support student applicants and participants in the UCSC NEXTGEN program. The position is based in Career Success within the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) and also works closely with representatives from other DSAS units such as the African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Student Success Initiatives, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Initiatives, Educational Opportunities Program (EOP), and Services for Transfer & Re-Entry Students (STARS).

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $65,000- $73,300 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

Full-time, Fixed
Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Contract appointment

Job End Date: 06-14-2028

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004516 (CAREER SVC SPEC 3)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Program Management & Development

Develops partnerships with other departments and programs developing internships, research, and other experiential learning opportunities for students (e.g., Environmental Studies, Center for Agroecology, CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research, Apprenticeship for Community Engaged Research).
Provides marketing and branding tools to highlight UCSC opportunities in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH), which will be used by Admissions staff in recruitment activities at high schools and community colleges, and with advising staff, families, students, etc. to promote FANH programs for transfer pathways or incoming first-year students.
Promotes awareness of FANH careers through career panels with recent alumni and FANH professionals.
Conducts workshops to educate undergraduates about graduate school opportunities and pathways in FANH fields.
Holds workshops about internship and job opportunities at the USDA and other federal institutions.
Supervises a student assistant to carry out tasks associated with student outreach and workshops.
Leverages industry insights to provide experiences, trainings, and appointments including administration and interpretation of career assessment inventories.
Participates in NEXTGEN grant meetings with Project Director, Co-Project Directors, and other staff.
Tracks student engagement in coaching, mentoring, workshops, field trips, and other activities for grant reporting purposes.

35% - Student Engagement, Coaching, and Mentoring

Directs coaching and mentoring of underserved students related to experiential learning opportunities (e.g., pre-, during-, and post-program guidance) in ways that are engaging, culturally conscious, and effective.
Manages student coaching via the Handshake System for tracking student appointments and engagement.
Develops and runs workshops covering opportunities for food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) experiential learning, demystifying the hidden curriculum and application processes for students.
Organizes field trips to research facilities, farms, and businesses to expose students to other FANH careers.
Hosts application support drop-in sessions for students applying to NEXTGEN experiential learning and scholarship programs.
Develops collaborative programs and workshops with EOP, ABC Student Success, STARS, and HSI Initiatives to provide holistic support and address student wellness.

20% - Student Outreach

Conducts outreach to currently enrolled underserved students via Handshake based on self-selected industries of interest related to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (e.g., Biotech & Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Animal & Wildlife, Utilities & Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Consumer Packaged Goods, Farming, Ranching & Fishing, Food & Beverage, Forestry, Restaurants & Food Services, Energy).
Publishes a food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) newsletter to highlight career paths, graduate school opportunities, events, and experiential learning opportunities related to NEXTGEN programming each month during the academic year.
Promotes and demystifies internship and research programs to create equitable access to experiential learning and scholarship programs for underserved UCSC students.
Facilitates workshops to address the hidden curriculum for applications and opportunities, and follows up with students to offer scaffolded support during the application process.

5% - Other Duties As Assigned

Provides support to Career Success and to the NEXTGEN Project Director for special projects, and performs other duties as assigned based on student population, department, and University needs.
Attends all regularly scheduled professional staff meetings including but not limited to unit team meetings, meetings with the Director, Campus Stakeholder meetings, and strategic project and initiatives working groups.
Regularly participates in ongoing professional development opportunities including workshops, conferences, and webinars. Reviews relevant literature to remain current on emerging trends and issues in higher education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Strong knowledge of experiential learning theories, student success, inclusive excellence, career development theories, career coaching techniques, counseling process, career decision-making, and learning styles.
Thorough knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice.
Thorough knowledge of workshop and program design and management.
Knowledge of higher education programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, and employment trends.
Effective time management and organizational skills.
Strong oral, written, and digital communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Excellent interpersonal communications skills (e.g., the ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity in interacting with students, staff, & faculty and handling sensitive issues).
Ability to build new and enhance existing relationships with constituents inside or outside of an organization.
Demonstrated experience providing career advising and/or counseling to students who have been traditionally underserved by higher education.
Demonstrated experience to promote educational equity and student success.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Lived experience contributing to social movements, including with Indigenous, racialized, and migrant communities, that are central to agroecology and food systems change, and demonstrated commitment to community-grounded, decolonial, anti-racist approaches to land-based education.
Knowledge of food system transformation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

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 or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=64335&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

Apply Now