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Assistant/Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension for Rural Community Disaster Preparedness (RCDP)

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Position overview

Salary range: Dependent on qualifications and experience

Position description

POSITION AVAILABLE: Assistant/Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension for Rural Community Disaster Preparedness (RCDP)

The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, a statewide program with local delivery, in collaboration with the School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, seeks a full time Assistant/Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension (100%) in the area of rural and agricultural community disaster preparedness to protect Californian’s diverse companion animal and livestock species through extension teaching (education and training outreach activities), applied research and other creative work, and service. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues in the School, across the University, and within the network of UC Cooperative Extension who work on services that improve preparation, response, and recovery from disasters like floods, droughts, wildfires, disease outbreaks, disruption of supply or marketing chains or daily operations that affect Californians and their companion and domestic animals.

SALARY: Dependent on qualifications and experience

QUALIFICATIONS: DVM or equivalent degree with graduate level training and/or board certification in an appropriate discipline is required, (e.g., internal medicine, epidemiology or preventive medicine, infectious disease). A valid license to practice veterinary medicine in California is required before employment (California Business and Professions Code Section 4846-4857). Individuals not eligible for a full California license can obtain a University License (California Business and Professions Code Section 4848.1). The successful candidate is required to have demonstrated expertise or appropriate training in disaster related programs, for example, animal health and disease outbreaks (e.g., virulent Newcastle Disease Virus), human and animal rescue, incident command system, animal evacuation and sheltering, preparedness courses, working relationships with first responders, and experience with local, state and/or national agency disaster programs. Demonstrated ability or potential to develop intervention strategies that promote the resilience of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural, human-made, or personal disasters is required. Documented evidence of research activity or potential to develop a research program in one or more aspects of disaster preparedness or response is required. A record of acquisition of extramural funding or the potential to do so is required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with others in a collegial team atmosphere are required. Evidence of or potential for leadership and initiative is required. Evidence of or potential for extending applied research and conducting outreach education for livestock and pet owners is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Outreach: Responsibilities include: 1) development and promotion of disaster preparedness programs within the network of UCCE Advisors and Specialists through extension of science-based information on how to strengthen resilience to natural and human-made disasters; 2) conducting workshops and speaking at appropriate events; 3) interacting with livestock and pet owners, consumers, community members, veterinarians, allied professionals and agricultural organizations, environmental and other state and federal agencies, and academic clientele such as UCCE Advisors and AES faculty; 4) acting as a liaison between industry organizations, the public, the University of California, and state and federal agencies; 5) participating in graduate academic programs (MS, PhD, MPVM) of the campus; and 6) development of web-based training courses and publication of lay and peer-reviewed literature.

Research: The development of a creative and productive research program on key components of preparedness and resiliency performed independently and collaboratively within the UCCE network (advisors, specialists, AES faculty, etc.) with funding from extramural sources, is a fundamental and indispensable requirement of the position, including publication of results in peer-reviewed professional and scientific journals and appropriate UCCE outlets. The successful candidate will develop an applied research program in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery focusing on the welfare and health of companion and livestock species. Areas of emphasis could include: new approaches, training modalities, information technology, and forecasting that improves best practices for prevention-response-recovery from the various disasters impacting rural and agricultural communities throughout California in light of climate change; surveillance data needed to maintain continuity of livestock markets during disease outbreaks; devising humane fire safe zones for livestock; improving training methods for volunteer rescue and evacuation personnel; identifying residual health impacts from disasters like wildfire or chemical spills; addressing the health risks that droughts can impose on companion and livestock species, developing new metrics signaling adequate disaster preparedness for livestock and hobby farms; improved vulnerability assessment tools for animal agriculturalists to threats from natural, human-made or personal disasters; improved bar coding for tracking animals from fire to shelter; new training modalities that optimize comprehension of disaster preparedness; and better epidemiological tools to detect human and animal health impacts from disaster-mediated hazards. Areas of emphasis will be based on an evaluation of the needs of communities at risk of disasters and agencies or other entities responding to disasters or who are involved in recovery from disasters. This individual will provide leadership in directing research projects of professional and graduate students.

Service: University and public service through committee work, participation in professional organizations, continuing education and other appropriate means is required. Participation in the leadership of the School of Veterinary Medicine’s emergency response team, a volunteer organization of faculty and staff veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students that provides training on veterinary emergency and disaster response is required. Providing field services to animals injured during disasters is desirable.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
To receive fullest consideration, applications must be submitted by September 15, 2021, position open until filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials: 1) a letter of intent outlining special interest in the position, overall related qualifications and experience and career goals; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a statement of research; 4) a statement of extension and outreach; 5) a statement summarizing experience and professional contributions in the area of equity and diversity; and 6) the names and addresses of four professional references. Application materials must be submitted by using the University's online submission program, https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04311

The University of California, Davis and the Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology and Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity. The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

UC Davis supports family-friendly recruitment. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany a faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html

At UC Davis, a Work Life program has been in place since January 2003. A group of Faculty Advisors for Work Life was established in 2007 to help publicize and inform the faculty about the programs, policies, and resources associated with work/life changes. This group of advisors represents various academic units (colleges, schools, divisions) on the campus. The following summarizes the programs and UC policy.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html

For questions regarding how these policies/programs affect academic appointees, contact: Brad Horton, Director Faculty Relations and Development (530) 752-7643.

The UC Davis Partner Opportunity Program (POP) is a service designed to support department and the dean's office in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty. Eligibility is limited to full-time Academic Senate Ladder Rank faculty, Cooperative Extension Specialists, and in a few instances, members of the Senior Management Group.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/partner-opp/index.html

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis -- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential spaces.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

DVM or equivalent degree with graduate level training and/or board certification in an appropriate discipline is required, (e.g., internal medicine, epidemiology or preventive medicine, infectious disease).

The successful candidate is required to have demonstrated expertise or appropriate training in disaster related programs, for example, animal health and disease outbreaks (e.g., virulent Newcastle Disease Virus), human and animal rescue, incident command system, animal evacuation and sheltering, preparedness courses, working relationships with first responders, and experience with local, state and/or national agency disaster programs.

Demonstrated ability or potential to develop intervention strategies that promote the resilience of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural, human-made, or personal disasters is required.

Documented evidence of research activity or potential to develop a research program in one or more aspects of disaster preparedness or response is required.

A record of acquisition of extramural funding or the potential to do so is required.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with others in a collegial team atmosphere are required.

Evidence of or potential for leadership and initiative is required.

Evidence of or potential for extending applied research and conducting outreach education for livestock and pet owners is required.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

A valid license to practice veterinary medicine in California is required before employment (California Business and Professions Code Section 4846-4857). Individuals not eligible for a full California license can obtain a University License (California Business and Professions Code Section 4848.1).

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Letter of Intent - A letter of intent outlining special interest in the position, overall related qualifications, and experience, and career goals.

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Extension and Outreach

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 4 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04311

Help contact: pmazanet@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, California