UC Master Gardener Program Community Education Specialist 3 - Hayward, CA, Job ID 89760

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hayward, CA, coordinates the UC Master Gardener education and outreach program, guiding volunteers and developing community partnerships to serve Alameda County residents.

The role emphasizes leadership, program evaluation, and collaboration across UC ANR networks to deliver research-based gardening education and equitable community engagement on a 100% on-site basis.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience in a related field is required.
• Continuing education in related field is required.
• Experience facilitating people with diverse views and values while motivating and adapting to changing situations.
• Strong relationship and partnership development skills and ability to serve as a reliable point of contact with local partners, schools, and community agencies/coalitions.
• Thorough written and verbal communication skills, and ability to make data- and policy-driven decisions.
• Thorough public speaking skills to present ideas clearly to groups.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate garden education efforts across Alameda County focusing on community needs.
• Mentor and train UC Master Gardener Program volunteers.
• Develop and deliver garden education lessons and outreach materials.
• Lead volunteer recruitment and retention efforts and manage budget across accounts.
• Maintain digital presence and oversee partnerships with schools and community organizations.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Communication

Budget management

Project coordination

Volunteer mentorship

Education

Associate's degree in environmental education / related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators.

Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

Additional Information:

• Discover our organization at UC ANR and explore our Mission.

• Through our Statewide Programs and Institutes, UC ANR academics and UC faculty collaborate in integrated teams to tackle priority problems through combined research and extension.

• Our Strategic Initiatives serve as our roadmap, helping us stay unified and effectively advocate for the work we do.

• Through our seven Public Value Statements, we share the real-world difference our research and extension work make for the public.

• We maintain a culture of equity and respect, with all UC ANR employees committed to the Civil Rights Compliance Policy.

• We champion inclusive excellence through our Principles of Community, creating a professional home where everyone, regardless of background, feels they belong and has the opportunity to grow.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Environmental Horticulture and Water Resources Management Advisor, Area Director, and UC Master Program statewide office, the UC Master Gardener Program Community Education Specialist 3 is responsible for the coordination of horticulture education and outreach, volunteer engagement and leadership, community partnership development, and oversight of garden related technical assistance for the public on behalf of UCCE Alameda County. This includes engaging, training, and guiding UC Master Gardener Program volunteers, developing and implementing yearly work plans (inclusive of outreach and parity goals), evaluating work plan goals and objectives, ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures (including risk and safety, accessibility, branding, and administrative), participating in statewide program evaluation, and writing reports. This person will coordinate efforts and serve as a liaison with other agencies providing related services in Alameda County, build and maintain formal and informal coalitions of partners, and volunteer engagement skills and competence. This person will coordinate with UC Master Gardener Program colleagues at statewide and local levels to strengthen community engagement approaches and interventions and develop new strategies to meet program goals.

Department Summary:

Since 1980, the UC Master Gardener Program has helped deliver University of California research directly to Californians who share a passion for gardening and environmental stewardship. More than just a gardening program, UC Master Gardener is an education and outreach statewide program of the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Our mission is to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscaping practices to the residents of California.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

This position requires regular on-site work at the designated office in Hayward, CA. Candidates must be available to work on-site as required to support business operations.

Pay Scale:

Pay Scale: $58,000.00/year to $77,900.00/year.

Job Posting Close Date:

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/16/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• 25% Program Coordination and Leadership:

  • Coordinate research-based garden education efforts across Alameda County with a focus on community needs, including food gardening, sustainable landscaping, integrated pest management, fire and waterwise landscaping, and other topics.
  • Represent UCCE and the UC Master Gardener Program in a professional manner.
  • Engage with the UC ANR Advisor network as subject matter and academic experts contributing to the UC Master Gardener Program.
  • Develop, maintain, and oversee local operating procedures and safety protocols in compliance with UC policies and procedures as needed.
  • Oversee the full range of program implementation duties for the UC Master Gardener Program within statewide and division-wide guidelines.
  • Maintain and/or oversee an accessible digital presence which may include a website, social media, blogs, newsletters, listservs, and other tools.
  • Manage and maintain [County] volunteer management software instance.
  • Perform clerical tasks as necessary to prepare and deliver workshops and training. This may include duplication of materials, maintaining filing systems, organizing and purchasing program-related materials and supplies.
  • Seek and participate in fund development opportunities as needed.
  • Manage budgets across multiple accounts to ensure program fiscal responsibility

• 35% Volunteer Engagement:

  • Foster a positive programmatic environment that promotes volunteer learning and leadership and cultivates successful working relationships with volunteers.
  • Mentor and train UC Master Gardener Program volunteers toward the implementation of impact-focused projects and opportunities.
  • Coordinate, conduct, and/or oversee delivery of UC Master Gardener Program volunteer training utilizing research-based curricula, materials, forms, and UC ANR content experts.
  • Progress UC Master Gardener Program volunteer recruitment efforts through utilization of statewide volunteer identification and selection materials, volunteer and county demographic data, and division-wide tools to ensure that core training program benefits are accessible to all.
  • Develop systems and structures that promote programmatic sustainability through facilitating delegation of tasks/functions to volunteers.
  • Utilize a developmental approach to volunteer-related conflict. This includes applying mediation techniques, UC ANR policy, and coaching skills to address volunteer-related disputes.
  • Identify volunteer skills and competencies in order to match volunteers with roles that meet program/community needs.
  • Develop and maintain volunteer communication systems.
  • Ensure a strong volunteer appreciation program inclusive of statewide and local recognition.
  • Develop continuing education and workshops to meet the educational and cultural needs of volunteers (and residents).

• 25% Public Outreach and Partnership Development:

  • Actively promote and market the UC Master Gardener Program to schools, partners, community organizations, and agencies.
  • Oversee the preparation of lesson materials, and delivery of garden education lessons and demonstrations which respect participants' cultural and ethnic backgrounds and accessible gardening infrastructure.
  • Maintain regular, successful communication with partner organizations including agencies, schools, community-based organizations, etc.
  • Develop liaisons with and between other garden-based learning, environmental education, natural resource, community wellbeing programs and organizations to coordinate outreach efforts. Maintain appropriate records tracking the partnership network.
  • Develop and implement culturally relevant garden education, project development and partnership strategies.

• 10% Evaluation and Quality Control:

  • Ensure collection of volunteer and public participant data (program enrollment, activity tracking, and statewide program evaluation data) using UC ANR-approved technologies to measure program delivery and effectiveness.
  • Work with Advisor, County/Area Director, and UC Master Gardener Program statewide team to analyze evaluation data, generate and contribute to statewide/local reporting, and utilize findings to improve community impact and outcomes.
  • Ensure quality control and compliance with established standards and procedures for assigned programs.
  • Assign, monitor, and review progress and accuracy of work.
  • Prepare and provide summaries of evaluation results and progress toward goals.

• 5% UC ANR Collaboration and Innovation:

  • Maintain team collaboration through meeting/training attendance and consistent written and verbal communication including, but not limited to, weekly schedule, program objectives, and team projects.
  • Collaborate with other UC ANR programs to coordinate and enhance outreach efforts.
  • Participate in piloting new curriculum, statewide projects, materials, delivery modes, or evaluation and/or methods.

Requirements:

• Associate's degree in environmental education, agriculture education, adult education, community development, human development, or other related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Continuing education in related field required.
• Experience facilitating people with diverse views and values while motivating and adapting to changing situations.
• Strong relationship and partnership development skills and ability to serve as a reliable point of contact with local partners, schools, and community agencies/coalitions.
• Thorough skills to evaluate programmatic needs, opportunities, and reach.
• Thorough written (newsletters, correspondence, reports) and verbal (giving and receiving feedback, active listening, de-escalation) communication skills, and ability to make data- and policy-driven decisions.
• Thorough and effective public speaking skills to present ideas and information clearly and concisely to small and large groups.
• Working knowledge of office procedures and experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access), internet, email, database, and customer management software.
• Ability to plan and manage budgets.

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, agriculture education, adult education, community development, human development, or other related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience with garden-based learning, environmental education, sustainable landscaping/design.
• Bilingual communication/translation abilities in English and Spanish / Hmong / Mandarin / Vietnamese or other language spoken in the community.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This position will require working in both office and field environments.
• Must comply with regulatory agency reporting requirements (California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act).
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability and damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and