The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), known locally as UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) invites applications for a CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Academic Coordinator II. UC ANR coordinates a statewide network of researchers and educators in partnership with Counties that are dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental, youth, and health issues.
The CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE program helps people eligible for CalFresh (known nationally as SNAP) lead healthier lives. Program staff and academics provide evidence-based nutrition and physical activity education, and engage local communities in policy, system and environmental change strategies that are supportive of community health and food and nutrition security.
Purpose: The CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Academic Coordinator II is responsible for coordinating, developing, and delivering innovative education programs and policy, system, and environmental change strategies to support food and nutrition security and improved community health in under-served communities in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. This position provides academic leadership and oversight to the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE programs in the region including overseeing the development of needs assessments, community and youth engagement initiatives, integrated work plans, supporting the budget cycle and related activities, and program evaluations that align with USDA SNAP-Ed Guidance and SNAP-Ed policies and procedures. Additional responsibilities include demonstrating local and regional program impacts, regional program administration, fund generation, fund coordination, staff supervision, University and public service, as well as demonstrated professional competence through development and dissemination of scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles, educational materials, impact reports, blogs, and conference presentations.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Academic Coordinator will:
- Provide academic leadership, program planning that aligns with USDA SNAP-Ed Guidance, and development with the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE programs at the local level and, as needed, statewide.
- Develop, implement, adapt, and evaluate program activities, training, curricula and work with staff to ensure that outcomes and impacts are measured and communicated.
- Work collaboratively with partners, program leadership, and staff on the development and design of new CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE programming in Ventura County, including hiring supervisory staff and supporting budget cycle and related activities, that is responsive to clientele needs and resources and is intended to inspire and empower under-served community members to improve their health by promoting awareness, education, and community change around healthy eating and active living.
- Ensure CalFresh Healthy Living clientele needs, strengths, and priorities are assessed on a regular basis, and develop program goals accordingly, in alignment with UC ANR’s statewide Strategic Vision and initiatives, CalFresh Healthy Living goals, and SNAP-Ed mission and policies.
- Provide leadership and support to the youth engagement initiative, 4-H Student Nutrition Advisory Council clubs, in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, with potential expansion to Ventura County.
- Participate in and lead, as appropriate, community collaboratives and work groups focused on increasing access to healthy and nutritious food, improving food and nutrition security, and improving physical activity with youth and adults in low-income schools and communities.
- Prepare high quality written materials including proposals and grant reports, program and project impact statements, peer-reviewed publications, blog posts, briefings, posters, and presentations.
- Develop proposals for extramural funding of programs and support resources beneficial to SNAP-Ed programming, partnerships, and activities.
- Act as a liaison with other agencies and institutions in the public and private sectors in support of CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE goals and priorities and represent UC ANR in a professional manner.
- Public speaking and group facilitation with partners and other audiences is a routine part of this position.