SGMA Technical Assistance Community Educator for Small Farms (CES IV) Riverside, CA, Job ID 83125

Company: University of California Agriculture and Natural R
Location: Riverside
Posted on: March 27, 2026

Job Description:

SGMA Technical Assistance Community Educator for Small Farms (CES IV) Riverside, CA, Job ID 83125 University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Job Description Position Summary: The SGMA Technical Assistance Community Educator for Small Farms will conduct technical assistance, extension education, policy analysis, and communication to support small-scale farms during the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The SGMA TA Community Educator will assess regional needs of small-scale farmers relevant to SGMA implementation and determine appropriate methods for outreach, education, and technical assistance. Duties include visiting farms to provide individual technical assistance; developing educational materials; conducting outreach activities, workshops, and field days; participate in strategic planning and evaluation of statewide program deliverables and objectives; facilitating access to resources available from nonprofit and private sector partners; attending meetings of local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs); reviewing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs); and analyzing groundwater management policies to generate recommendations. The SGMA TA Community Educator will work under the general supervision of the Small Farms SGMA Technical Assistance Academic Coordinator II and will collaborate closely with other SGMA TA Community Educators, UC ANR Small Farms Advisors and staff based in relevant county regions. Project work will be coordinated with the statewide team for SGMA technical assistance for small farms as well as the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and other nonprofit and agency partner organizations. This position is part of a statewide team providing technical assistance to small farms with SGMA implementation in multiple counties under the UC ANR Small Farms Network, a program of UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP). As part of the statewide network, the SGMA TA Community Educator will identify one or more areas of content expertise related to production, regulatory compliance, or marketing in which to serve as a subject matter expert and a lead worker coordinating development of educational materials on specialized topics. This position will cover Riverside County and San Bernardino County. This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed and ends 12/31/2026 with the possibility of extension if funding permits. Pay Scale: $62,900/year to $86,500/year Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 1/20/2026. Key Responsibilities: Development and delivery of extension education materials: - Serve as regional subject matter expert on California groundwater policy and regulations, sustainable groundwater management, and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). - Develop training and outreach materials to assist small-scale farmers with groundwater management, water conservation, and implementation of SGMA. - Analyze existing training and outreach materials and provide recommendations to partner agencies and organizations. - Plan, conduct, and evaluate workshops, field days, webinars, tailgate meetings, and other educational and extension events. - Develop summaries of current and proposed management actions of local and regional GSAs with potential impacts to small-scale farmers. - Collaborate with bilingual staff in the Small Farms Network to conduct outreach and training and develop educational materials in multiple languages. - Contribute to content development and logistics for delivery of webinars conducted statewide. - Lead development of educational materials where background and expertise are sufficient to serve as a subject matter expert for specific project topics. Technical assistance with SGMA implementation: - Assist small-scale farmers to understand and engage with communications, governance processes, planning processes, and management actions of local and regional GSAs. - Conduct site visits to small-scale farms to assess irrigation and groundwater infrastructure and conditions and provide recommendations for improvement. - Provide technical assistance to small-scale farmers with irrigation system, pump, and well assessments. - Determine appropriate referrals to providers and resources such as mobile irrigation labs, Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) providers, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, CDFA's State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), and nonprofit organizations. - Refer small-scale farmers to consultants providing legal, engineering, geological, hydrogeologic, and environmental services and facilitate communication between farmers and consultants, including working with a translator when appropriate. - Review farm lease agreements for concerns related to SGMA, such as groundwater access, allocations, and fees, and refer farmers to nonprofit organizations and professional advisors for assistance with lease writing. - Participate in professional development and team training activities to enhance technical expertise and outreach skills. - Refer local GSAs to tools, resources, and materials needed to engage and consider impacts of SGMA implementation to small-scale farmers. Outreach and Communication: - Attend meetings of local GSAs and review GSPs, proposed management actions, and sub-basin coordination agreements. - Participate in local GSA public meetings and communicate updates on proposed management actions, requirements, and events to small-scale farmers. - Facilitate communication between GSAs and small-scale farmer communities. - Serve on committees of local GSAs such as outreach committees when possible and/or assist small-scale farmers to serve on GSA committees. - Conduct outreach and disseminate educational materials through bilingual radio, social media, email lists, events, and in-person outreach to increase awareness of local GSA proposed management decisions and opportunities to participate. - Conduct farm visits to distribute educational materials and inform farmers of local GSA actions. - Manage communications including farmer contacts, email lists, flyers, bilingual radio outreach, web content, videos, blog posts, newsletters, and social media platforms. Data Management and Evaluation: - Coordinate with UC ANR advisors and staff, partner organizations, and small-scale farming communities to prioritize needs for outreach, training, technical assistance, and policy engagement. - Gather and analyze data on challenges for small farms with groundwater management and SGMA implementation and provide results to program leadership. - Evaluate progress towards goals and objectives, organize data for required reporting, and contribute to communicating program outcomes and impacts. - Participate in strategic planning and evaluation with the SGMA Technical Assistance Program team to prepare action plans and strategies for measuring project results. - Synthesize information on the experiences, needs, and concerns of small farms with SGMA implementation and prepare and deliver policy communications for public agencies, nonprofit partner organizations, and elected officials. Requirements: - Minimum of a Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience/training in the agricultural, environmental, or social sciences, or a related field. - Continuing education in related field. - Advanced knowledge (coursework or relevant experience) in irrigation, groundwater management, hydrology, water resources, water policy, water law, water conservation, or other topics relevant to sustainable groundwater management. - Prior experience working in an agricultural setting or working directly with farmers. - In-depth quantitative and/or analytical skills to evaluate regional trends, policies, and management decisions. - Advanced organizational skills to manage multiple activities simultaneously to meet objectives within prescribed timelines. - In-depth experience in outreach, community engagement, adult education, or other community-based activities. - Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Excel. - Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills. Preferred Skills: - Post-baccalaureate degrees, coursework, certifications, or work experience relevant to groundwater policy and management. - Experience conducting outreach and communicating technical information to culturally diverse audiences. - Proficient bilingual communication abilities in English and Spanish. - Advanced knowledge of organizational and governmental policies, procedures and regulations. - Advanced ability to network with affiliated organizations outside the university to advance program effectiveness. Special Conditions of Employment: - Travel to small farms within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties including travel outside normal business hours may be requested. - Must possess 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 damage insurance on 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 https://apptrkr.com/get_redirect.php?id=7030690&targetURL=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 actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. - Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. a. "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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: - UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy - UC Anti-Discrimination Policy - Abusive Conduct in the Workplace To apply, please visit: Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

Keywords: University of California Agriculture and Natural R, Chino , SGMA Technical Assistance Community Educator for Small Farms (CES IV) Riverside, CA, Job ID 83125, Legal , Riverside, California