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The University of California, Davis, School of Law seeks a Director for its Small Farmer Water Justice Clinic starting August 1, 2025. Pursuant to a grant from the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Clinic will provide technical legal assistance to small farmers and small farmer organizations related to the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”). In addition to meeting the pressing needs of the small farmer communities, the Clinic will provide valuable training and experience for UC Davis law students and help create a pipeline of trained and experienced attorneys.

Specific activities and functions the Director will undertake on behalf of the Clinic include, but are not limited to:
(1) collaborate and provide legal assistance to organizations helping small farmers, including the Community Alliance for Family Farmers (“CAFF”)
(2) assess the risks, barriers, and opportunities for small farmers with respect to SGMA’s implementation
(3) develop outreach and engagement materials for small farmers;
(4) identify approaches to assist small farmers in in the planning processes of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (“GSAs”) and in the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (“GSPs”);
(5) supervise and direct law students to provide high-quality legal services (including advising and counseling small farmers and organizations, conducting legal research, and drafting guidance memoranda and other documents).
(6) provide legal assistance to small farmers in the implementation of GSPs and report on groundwater adjudications in prioritized basins.
(7) supervise a paralegal hired by the Clinic;
(8) teach and assist in the development of the curriculum as part of the classroom component of the Clinic;
(9) supervise and collaborate with administrative staff to effectively manage grant reporting requirements related to the project; and
(10) serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Clinic and its mission;

This is a full-time, non-tenure-track lecturer appointment for one year with a possibility of a continuing appointment depending on funding. The Clinic is currently funded through June 30, 2026 with possible amendments to extend.

We seek candidates with the following qualifications:
• Juris Doctor from an A.B.A. approved law school.
• Excellent litigation, analytical, legal writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Experience teaching clinical law or supervising law students.
• Interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Management and leadership skills.
• Must be a member of a state bar for at least five years. Must be a member of the California Bar by January 2026.

The desired qualifications for this position are:
• Administrative experience managing a Center and/or Clinic at a law school.
• Familiarity with the law school's students, faculty and alumni.
• Litigation experience including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, negotiation, briefing, and oral advocacy.
• Administrative law practice experience (specifically participating in hearings and notice & comment).
• Experience working with government agencies and managing grants.
• Familiarity with water law.
• Experience with the farm community and the grassroots movement for water justice.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Review of candidates will begin July 2, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. We recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible.

Candidates should apply via our online recruitment system only at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07170.

More Info: https://law.ucdavis.edu/clinics/water-justice-clinic.html

Unit 18 Lecturers are governed under a collective bargaining agreement (American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Non-Senate Instructional Unit). Under this contract, once a lecturer accumulates enough quarters of service, the lecturer can be reviewed for a Continuing Lecturer position. For more information about this contract, visit http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ix/contract.html.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

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 creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in 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.
UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

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.