JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Specialist 26-07

Company: UC, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

This critical new role will provide expertise, research, and resources to the communities, agencies, and people of California related to disaster preparedness and resilience. The Specialist, and UC ANR DPRI, will provide expertise and engage with internal and external partners from government, business, and civic organizations.

Major duties and responsibilities for this Specialist:

• Serve as Director of the UC ANR Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Institute (approximately .3 FTE).
• Collaborate with UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, and institutes, and the University of California Disaster Resiliency Network, as well as external stakeholders, to conduct applied research and disseminate research results. External partners may include staff from federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, community-based nonprofit and civic organizations, and grassroots groups.
• Design and conduct applied research focused on disaster preparedness and resilience. Potential areas of research include:
• Zoonotic agrosecurity
• Food safety/security planning
• Climate resiliency
• Human pandemics and disaster response
• Mental Health First Aid related to disaster response and preparedness
• Disaster preparedness related to flooding, fire, drought, coastal sea rise, etc.
• Youth training and engagement in disaster preparedness
• Policy solutions for disaster preparedness and resiliency
• Lead efforts to translate findings into real-world solutions that make communities more resilient and better prepared for disasters.
• Develop an effective extension education program (including statewide trainings, workshops, educational resources, and a website) that enables ANR personnel, communities, and state and local agency staff to improve disaster preparedness.
• Seek research and extension funding from federal and state agencies as well as other sources.
• Publish findings, best practices, and case studies in accessible formats, including peer-reviewed journals, ANR outlets, popular press, and relevant online platforms to widen the reach and impact of research outcomes.
• Participate in professional society activities and scholarly contributions, attaining goals of state, national, and international recognition over time.

Location Headquarters: The Specialist will be based at the UC ANR headquarters, at 2801 2nd Street in Davis, CA, with the potential to explore opportunities at the California Office of Emergency Services (CAOES) headquarters in Sacramento, CA.

Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) in environmental health and safety, environmental science, public health, emergency management, public policy, public administration, economics, or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Applicants who have not yet earned a Ph.D. must be within 12 months of completing their degree to be considered for the position.

Application Instructions:

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/7011236. To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by April 27, 2026 – (open until filled)

Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist Rank Step 1- $90,600 to Step 6 - $118,500 annually. Step placement in this series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding the Cooperative Extension Specialist series salary scales, please refer to https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/policy-covered-july-2025-scales/t29.pdf

This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM). If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Specialist with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain such indefinite status.

The Cooperative Extension Specialist position is a two-year renewable term appointment. Performance in this position is evaluated annually, with merit actions being evaluated every two years. Upon completing a successful review, you may be reappointed for another definite term. Our intention with this definite term appointment is to be reappointed based on positive performance reviews and the continuing need for the position.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits, including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges per the terms of University policy. ANR is part of UC's Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/