Skip to main content

Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist- Water Justice Policy and Planning- Environmental Science , Policy, and Management

We are no longer accepting applications for this recruitment. Browse open recruitments

Position overview

Salary range: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and based on the UC Specialist in Cooperative Extension salary scale (table 29): https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2022/july-2021-scales/t29.pdf
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: The position is anticipated to begin Spring 2022.

Position description

As a part of the Rausser College of Natural Resources, The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), in partnership with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), seeks an Assistant Cooperative Extension (CE) Specialist in Water Justice Planning and Policy. This position will provide statewide leadership in water justice policy and planning, with a focus on water quality, quantity, and access for disadvantaged communities. This position is a full-time career-track research and outreach position.

Ensuring that water allocation and management are guided by principles of social and environmental justice is a necessary but challenging goal, especially during times of water scarcity. In California, drought, degraded infrastructure and a dearth of technical and economic resources have stressed both water supply and drinking water quality in many communities. Contaminated ground and surface water sources from agricultural and industrial activities have contributed to often bleak health, social and economic outcomes in affected communities. Low-income communities and communities of color disproportionately bear the negative water-related environmental impacts, which are intensified by climate change.

This position will augment UC ANR’s longstanding capacity in the technical aspects of water management by increasing research-based policy and planning capacity to address the water-related needs and challenges of vulnerable communities, thus advancing water justice in urban and rural California regions, in partnership with public agencies, community-based organizations and water justice coalitions.

Examples of high-priority issues for this position include:

  • Understanding inequities in water access, water quality and water sovereignty in California communities
  • Fostering community-based resilience to the water-related impacts of climate change
  • Understanding environmental and human health effects of emerging contaminants from point and diffuse pollution in the aquatic environment
  • Identifying wastewater challenges and solutions
  • Identifying competing agricultural, environmental, and community demands for water supply and water quality
  • Analyzing water governance across multiple scales
  • Informing state-level water-related policy implementation

The Water Justice Policy and Planning CE Specialist will provide statewide leadership on water justice research, policy and planning, with the primary components of the position involving:
Extension
Research
Network External to UCANR
Outreach

Extension The CE Specialist’s objective will be to create a collaborative, multidisciplinary research and extension program with UC Cooperative Extension Advisors and CE Specialists as well as community-based organizations, state and local government agencies, industry groups, professional resource managers, and policy makers. The CE Specialist will partner with key stakeholders to inform equity-centered water policy and planning work in CA communities, co-developing actionable information derived from a robust and collaborative research program. The appointee will work to engage communities in implementation of relevant California legislation and will work with communities both to build resilience and to advance adaptation-planning priorities.
Specific extension-related activities of the CE Specialist might include:
• Development of workshops
• Policy briefs
• Symposia
• Field days
• Webinars
• Preparation of technical documents
• Online methods to extend information

ResearchThe CE Specialist will establish an active research program and submit original findings to be published in various journals, including (but not limited to): Water Policy, Water Resources Research, Society and Natural Resources, Environmental Science and Policy, Environmental Planning and Management, Environmental Policy and Planning, Rural Sociology, Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Health, Environmental Science and Technology, American Journal of Public Health, and California Agriculture. Other important outlets include proceedings of various conferences, professional publications such as ANR leaflets and manuals, and trade or organizational journals.

Network External to UCANR The CE Specialist will build on existing networks within and outside the University of California. The CE Specialist will collaborate across a range of campus units (e.g. Berkeley Water Center, Berkeley Food Institute, Geography Department, College of Engineering, School of Public Health). The appointee will also work closely with state and local government agencies (e.g. CA Department of Water Resources, CA Water Commission, State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Control Boards, Local Water Districts) as well as a variety of community-based organizations (e.g. Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, California Rural Legal Assistance, the Water Policy Center of the CA Public Policy Institute, the Pacific Institute, Community Water Center, and local water and agriculture coalitions).

Outreach It is expected that the CE Specialist will diligently pursue sources of extramural funding grants from EPA, NSF, and other federal sources. Within California, it is anticipated that the CE Specialist will actively pursue and apply for water-related grants funded by the state.

Location & Support The position will be housed on the Berkeley Campus in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management. The CE Specialist will have an office and laboratory space on the Berkeley Campus. A startup package will be provided for equipment, computers, and travel needs.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Advanced degree or enrolled in advanced degree program at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

A Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) is required by the start date.

Preferred qualifications

The successful candidate will have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) related to Water Justice, Policy, and Planning.

Possible disciplinary backgrounds include: community or human development, public health, law, sociology, political science, environmental science, or geography.

Preferred qualifications include:

  • Evidence of leadership
  • Strong communication skills
  • Demonstrated team building experience
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) development/advancement

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research - Statement of research and extension interests and experience.

  • Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley (for additional information go to https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity).

  • Publication One - PDF copy of recent publication.
    (Optional)

  • Publication Two - PDF copy of recent publication.
    (Optional)

  • Publication Three - PDF copy of recent publication.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03200

Help contact: zoestone@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.

Job location

Berkeley, CA