Academic Coordinator I - Secure Water Future (VISTA)

The Academic Coordinator I will support the Secure Water Future (SWF) project and other related initiatives within VISTA. The appointee will coordinate and deliver educational, outreach, and research activities closely aligned with UC's teaching, research, and public service mission. Under general supervision, the incumbent will manage programs of modest scope and complexity, working with diverse stakeholders including middle/high school students, educators, university researchers, farmers, and water professionals. This role requires a highly motivated, collaborative, and organized individual who can operate independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Under the direction of the Secure Water Future Managing Director, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for supporting core elements of the USDA Sustainable Agricultural Systems project: Securing a Climate Resilient Water Future through Innovation in Measurement, Management, and Markets (SWF) and closely-related efforts. The SWF program is an innovative initiative designed to equip researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle the challenges of climate change and water resource management. By integrating an interdisciplinary curriculum encompassing environmental science, engineering, policy, and social sciences, SWF fosters collaborative research using team science approaches. Our education programs, including the Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Academy (CASA ELE) and Super Soaker Water Academy (SSWA), provide unique opportunities for hands-on learning and engagement with experts in the field. This role involves engaging with participating institutions, scientists, faculty, students, and stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

The Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the SWF project by coordinating and facilitating project activities and working closely with the Managing Director to drive project education, outreach, and communication efforts. This position requires a proactive individual with a passion for sustainable water systems and climate resilience. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in project coordination, preferably within an academic setting. They must possess strong organizational and timemanagement skills, along with excellent interpersonal and communication abilities suitable for engaging with diverse stakeholders, including scientists, educators, and the

public. Additionally, given the nature of the experiential learning efforts in which the incumbent will engage, experience with moving water is strongly desired and applicants should be comfortable in a range of physical environments and capable of carrying out job duties associated with coordinating field work and outdoor experiential education in adverse weather conditions.

I. COORDINATION OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (90%)

Academic Coordinators have primary responsibility for the administration and coordination of one or more programs and may have responsibility for directing the activities of other academic appointees or staff.

Key responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

Program Administration and Coordination

* Organize, facilitate, and document project team and stakeholder meetings.

* Provide logistical support for major events, including workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagements hosted by VISTA.

* Coordinate travel, lodging, equipment, and facilities needs for program activities.

* Utilize project management tools to track tasks, monitor progress, and mitigate program risks.

Educational Programming and Outreach

* Design and implement educational modules for middle and high school students focused on water and environmental science.

* Coordinate and deliver outreach activities for agricultural and water sector professionals.

* Lead experiential learning activities, including multi-day off-site field programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

* Develop curriculum and teaching materials tailored to diverse audiences.

Research Support and Data Management

* Conduct literature reviews on water and environmental topics relevant to California and the western U.S.

* Create and administer project team and stakeholder surveys; synthesize and report findings.

* Collect and manage programmatic data for progress reports and grant deliverables.

* Conduct drone imaging flights for Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) research activities.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

* Develop outward-facing communications (e.g., newsletters, flyers, project updates).

* Engage with community stakeholders and project partners to ensure alignment with the Secure Water Future mission.

* Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among project scientists, educators, and extension professionals.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

The candidate may provide intellectual leadership and scholarship to his/her programs. The candidate may participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field. The candidate may give presentations to public and professional interest groups, or at seminars, meetings or educational functions.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The candidate will participate in the administration of his/her units and the University through appropriate roles in governance and policy formulation. In addition, he/she may represent the University in his/her special capacity as a scholar during the discharge of his/her responsibilities. The candidate may engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with coursework in hydrology, environmental science, agriculture, or a closely related field.

* Minimum of one year of experience coordinating complex projects or educational programs.

* Demonstrated success working with dispersed multi-member teams, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

* Experience organizing and facilitating educational activities for varied audiences, including K-12 students.

* Excellent organizational and time-management skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic data analysis tools.

* Valid driver's license and willingness to travel (some overnight and weekend work

required).

* Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to meaningfully engage with individuals from disparate educational, cultural, and professional backgrounds.

* Capacity to perform in physically demanding outdoor environments, including but not limited to on water and in urban, agricultural, and wildland sites with limited shade and facilities.

* Current drone pilot's license (FAA Part 107 Certification) or eligibility to obtain within 3 months of hire.

* Proficiency in data management and analysis using GIS tools, and/or a strong willingness to learn.

* Experience with and/or interest in conducting research on California water policy and management, especially related to agricultural and environmental

systems.

* Familiarity with USDA priorities and reporting structures, including experience contributing to USDA-funded project deliverables.

* Experience and/or certification in operating watercraft, such as for fieldwork, research, or education.

* Bilingual (Spanish/English) communication skills.

* Familiarity with Central Valley stakeholders and issues around water management, sustainability, and agriculture.

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please list three names of potential references and contact information.

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.

"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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

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 or federal law.

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. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.