Environmental Permitting & Conservation Program Instructor

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 4,000 - 7,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Contribution Plan

Safe Harbor enrollment

Job summary

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is seeking instructors to teach courses on federal and California endangered species regulatory frameworks, conservation permitting, and Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and NCCPs. The role combines online instruction with prerecorded lectures and requires collaboration with the Learning Innovation Team.

Instructors will deliver instruction that aligns with learning outcomes, review course content for currency, and suggest enhancements based

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resources, environmental planning, environmental policy, geography, law, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in ESA/CESA compliance, HCPs/NCCPs, environmental permitting, or related conservation programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state endangered species regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver instruction aligned with established learning outcomes and current regulations.
• Review and update course content for accuracy and currency.
• Collaborate with CPE staff and Learning Innovation Team to improve courses.
• This is a work-for-hire, part-time appointment.

Skills

Communication skills

Teaching experience

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse portfolio on the campus, with programs spanning pre-college, professional continuing education, workforce development, international academic and cultural exchange, and training services for corporate and agency partners. As a global leader in continuing education, CPE serves learners regionally, nationally and globally, and posts more than 55K enrollments annually making it the third largest UC Extension by enrollment. Beyond its community-facing role, CPE serves as the internal hub for online education in support of other academic units on the campus.

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of Instructor Services, the Instructor(s) will partner with UC Davis support team members to teach students federal and California endangered species regulatory frameworks, conservation permitting processes, regulatory agency roles and processes, and the development and application of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs).

Through a combination of online instruction and prerecorded lectures, the Instructor(s) will help students develop the knowledge and skills identified in the course learning outcomes. The Instructor(s) must be highly credible subject‑matter experts with current knowledge and practical experience in the domain area who can collaborate effectively with CPE staff and learning experience designers.

The primary responsibilities of the Instructor(s) are to deliver instruction aligned with established learning outcomes; review and update course content to maintain its accuracy, relevance, and currency; and recommend future enhancements or changes based on developments in the field and the evolving needs of the target audience. This is a work‑for‑hire role.

CPE is recruiting for but not limited to the following courses:

• Endangered Species Regulations and Protection
• Habitat Conservation Planning and Natural Community Conservation Planning

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resources, environmental planning, environmental policy, geography, law, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) or California Endangered Species Act (CESA) compliance; conservation permitting; Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs); Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs); environmental permitting and regulatory consultation; or habitat conservation and species protection programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and California endangered species regulatory frameworks, conservation permitting processes, and relevant regulatory agency roles and processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical and regulatory concepts to a diverse professional learner population.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with CPE staff, with particular emphasis on working with the Learning Innovation Team.
• Two or more years’ experience teaching or training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, Ph.D., or other advanced degree in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, environmental law, or a related discipline.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in conservation permitting, environmental consulting, government regulatory programs, infrastructure permitting, transportation planning, renewable energy development, habitat conservation planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in significant conservation planning projects or leadership roles involving environmental permitting or conservation programs.
• Experience designing or delivering professional or continuing education programs for adult learners.

Direct experience developing, reviewing, negotiating, or implementing:

• Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs)
• Incidental Take Permits

Professional experience working with or navigating processes involving regulatory agencies such as:

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Federal, state, regional, or local permitting agencies.

Relevant professional credentials, certifications, or other recognition in environmental compliance, biology, ecology, conservation, planning, or a related field. such as:

• Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Professional certifications related to environmental compliance, biology, ecology, or planning.

Appointment:

The CPE Instructor position is an exempt by‑agreement appointment. The incumbent will be hired into the UC Davis payroll title of Teacher-University Extension Contract YR and will be subject to Federal and State Income Tax Withholdings.

Compensation:

Compensation will be a predetermined amount based on the assigned course development, coaching, or instructional services.

Position is not eligible for UC health & welfare benefits. As a by‑agreement instructor, the employment is considered “part‑time” and will participate in the Defined Contribution Plan (the “DC Plan”) as a Safe Harbor† participant. By‑Agreement instructors are automatically enrolled in the DC Plan per their eligible appointment. Safe Harbor participants contribute 7.5% of their wages, on a pretax basis, in lieu of contributing to Social Security. Please review the Retirement Savings Program Information for Safe Harbor Participants and the DCP Summary Plan Description for more information.

About UC Davis:

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.

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.

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.

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

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.