Academic Coordinator I - Student Farm Ecological Garden Manager and Educator

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis seeks an Academic Coordinator to direct the Ecological Garden and Flower Project, overseeing program design, teaching and field-based learning.

You will mentor student employees, collaborate with faculty across departments, manage facilities and budgets, and engage with campus and community partners to advance sustainable agriculture education.

Qualifications

• Holds a Master's degree or equivalent experience by start date.
• 2+ years of experience in ecological management of a farm, garden, or restoration project in a leadership role.
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating experiential learning in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or outdoor education.
• Experience applying ecological principles in agriculture or land management, including native plants, IPM, soil fertility management, water conservation, biodiversity, and perennial crops.
• Experience mentoring and supervising students or young adults.

Responsibilities

• Sets goals and priorities for educational activities in the Ecological Garden, Flower Project, and affiliated programming rooted in experiential and garden-based learning.
• Manages all aspects of the 1.2 acre Ecological Garden including chickens, composting systems, and over 400 species of crops; hosts ~75 field trips annually.
• Works with SF Director and EG staff to develop and coordinate programming involving mentoring student employees, interns, and visitors.
• Articulates learning objectives and assesses student learning in the EG and related activities.
• Coordinates with faculty to deliver field-based experiential learning and support student research projects.
• Contributes to grant writing, budgeting, staffing, and facilities management for the EG and Flower Project.
• Supervises and evaluates up to 6 student employees and 20 interns per quarter; mentors volunteers and develops teaching materials.
• Leads trainings in technical and communication skills for Student Farm employees.
• Maintains lands, facilities, resources, tools and supplies, prioritizing student teams.
• Coordinates activities with campus and community partners on dye plants, medicinal herbs, crop preservation, and native California food plants.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Experiential learning

Ecological horticulture

Project coordination

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Community education

Education

Master's degree in ecology, agriculture, horticulture, natural sciences, education, or related field

Job description

Academic Coordinators are appointees who administer academic programs that provide service closely related to the teaching or research mission of the University. The duties of an Academic Coordinator are primarily administrative. Individuals in an Academic Coordinator title who are assigned research or instructional duties are required to hold a dual title.

Program Overview

The Student Farm serves UC Davis students and faculty and the public with diverse learning, teaching, research and outreach opportunities focused on the plant sciences and sustainable agriculture and food systems. Knowledge and skills are developed within diverse classroom, laboratory and in-field settings through formal courses, student internships, scientific experimentation and programs offered to a variety of campus and public audiences. The Student Farm collaborates with college and other campus faculty and staff, student organizations, statewide UC personnel and various public, private and non-profit organizations in developing and delivering its programs.

The Ecological Garden provides a richly diverse model for home and community-scale food production, sustainable land stewardship, and cut flower production, and is the site of many Student Farm educational and community activities. Within the Ecological Garden, students learn, practice and explore various aspects of ecological horticulture and landscape management through numerous internships and course activities. The purpose of these opportunities is to enhance student and public understanding of ecology, horticulture, agriculture and food systems in California, with a focus on the relationships between culture, community and ecosystem. . The Flower Project uses some areas of the Ecological Garden along with other Student Farm spaces to teach about, grow and sell cut flowers. The Ecological Garden is also the primary site for the Kids in the Garden Program.

Academic Coordinator Position Overview

The Academic Coordinator (AC) position directs, manages and coordinates all activities, resources, and educational programming of the Ecological Garden and Flower Project, including coordinating with faculty affiliated with Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Sciences, Landscape Design, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, and other departments. The AC oversees the coordinated design, management, maintenance and utilization of the Ecological Garden, Student Farm Field House and associated facilities. The AC collaborates with other programs of the Student Farm, the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI), the college, and other organizations across the campus and region to promote agricultural sustainability, land stewardship, and garden-based learning.

Coordination of Academic Programs -- 85%

• Sets goals and priorities for educational programmatic activities for the Ecological Garden, Flower Project, and affiliated programing rooted in experiential and garden-based learning - including activities related to ecological horticulture, cut flower production, culturally sustaining programs, and transferable skills development.
• Manages all aspects of the 1.2 acre Ecological Garden including chickens, composting systems, and over 400 species of annual and perennial crops including native California plants, edible plants, medicinal plants and plants for natural dyes and 0.5 acres of flowers. These sites serve numerous internships and courses in plant sciences and sustainable agriculture and host around 75 field trip or campus tour groups annually.
• Works with SF Director and EG staff to develop and coordinate programming involving mentoring student employees, interns, and visitors
• Articulates learning objectives and manages assessment of student learning in the EG and associated activities
• Coordinates with faculty and children's program coordinator to develop and deliver field based experiential learning opportunities and supports faculty and graduate student research projects. This may be a tour or a more in-depth interaction
• Contributes to grant writing, budget management, staffing, and facilities management related to the Ecological Garden and Flower project and long-term planning related to the Student Farm
• Supervises, mentor, and evaluate up to 6 student employees and 20 interns per quarter. Explains ecological horticulture practices and provides in-depth field support and direct supervision for student volunteers and interns. Helps to develop and keep in order written materials to teach these concepts in the field.
• Leads technical and communication skills trainings for Student Farm Employees
• Coordinates maintenance of lands, facilities, financial resources, tools, and supplies in the EG, including but not limited to irrigation, planting and maintaining numerous crop and habitat species, composting, and chicken flock, including ongoing prioritization for student teams.
• Coordinates activities with campus and community partners in areas of student interest, such as dye plants, medicinal herbs, crop preservation and processing, and native California food plants.

University and Public Service 10%

• Provides informal, in-field instruction and tours in the practical knowledge and skills used in ecological horticulture and cut flower production
• Participates in Agricultural Sustainability Institute and UCD committee(s) related to sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Conducts outreach to growers, gardeners, teachers, UC Cooperative Extension/Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCCE and UCANR), Native community members, and the general public in Northern California to assist in disseminating information on sustainable agriculture and food systems practices.

Professional Competence and Activity 5%

• Engages in various professional activities related to garden based education, ecology, horticulture, native plants and flower production, such as participating in professional meetings, presenting posters or papers at conferences, and publishing related works.
• Engages in professional development training related to creating inclusive and culturally relevant learning environments and serving underrepresented students, especially in agricultural fields.

Anticipated start: Spring 2027

Position duration: One year term - renewable based on performance/funding

Percent time: variable, 75%-100%

• Hold a Master's degree, or equivalent experience, in ecology, agriculture, horticulture, natural sciences, education, or related field by the time the position starts.
• 2 or more years of experience in ecological management of a farm, garden, or restoration project, in a leadership role.
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating experiential learning in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or other outdoor education.
• Experience applying ecological principles in agriculture or land management, including knowledge of native plants, integrated pest management, soil fertility management, water conservation, biodiversity, and perennial crops.
• Experience mentoring and supervising students or young adults.