Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist CA,

Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources – UC Master Food Preserver Program (MFP) based in Davis, CA. This career appointment is 100% fixed and offers hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in California. The Education Specialist will lead the development and implementation of a statewide UC MFP public education and volunteer certification program to support cottage food operators throughout California.

• Program Development (60%) – Design and develop statewide curriculum, guidelines, and certification materials for UC MFP volunteers to train new and existing cottage food operators statewide. Create clear processes for volunteer certification, renewal, and ongoing support. Implement a pilot program in selected counties and promote public educational materials, webinars, and in-person workshops to train operators on food safety, compliance, and certification processes.
• Provide leadership, content expertise, technical support, and guidance to cottage food operators and MFP Coordinators, answering questions and troubleshooting challenges.
• Outreach and Engagement (20%) – Coordinate engagement with subject matter experts and stakeholders to improve outreach, extension, and program development. Collaborate with UC ANR academics and staff to provide content expertise in food safety, value‑added product development, and community and economic development. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with environmental health departments, regulatory agencies, and local government entities.
• Foster partnerships with cottage food operators, industry groups, and advocacy organizations to promote the program and its public benefits. Provide science‑based information through active participation in relevant meetings, conferences, and working groups.
• Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation (20%) – Contribute to strategic planning and program evaluation. Advise Statewide MFP Program Manager and UC SAREP Associate Director on changes and improvements to cottage food operator programs, policies, and practices. Coordinate long‑range strategic planning for the curriculum in collaboration with the statewide Master Food Preserver program. Collect and analyze program data to provide recommendations and prepare regular reports on program performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, public health, community development, policy, economics, business, or a related field and/or equivalent experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in food science, food safety, nutrition, dietetics, or public health with evidence‑based food preservation techniques and/or small‑scale food business operations.
• In‑depth analytical skills, advanced interpersonal and communication skills, and advanced experience in developing and delivering educational, outreach, or technical assistance programming.
• Strong experience with participatory community education approaches, adult learning principles, and practices to support inclusion and belonging.
• Advanced time management, organizational skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools.

• Ability to network with external partner organizations to advance program effectiveness.

• Valid California Driver’s License and ability to travel on a flexible schedule as needed. Reimbursement of job‑related travel will be paid according to University policies.
• Background check required. This position may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the responsibilities.
• Compliance with ANR smoke‑and tobacco‑free environment policies.
• Discretion in managing sensitive information and adherence to data protection and privacy policies.
• Misconduct disclosure required as a condition of employment.

$61,000.00 to $83,900.00 per year.

Riverside, San Joaquin, Placer, Humboldt, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, or Hansen Research and Extension Center (REC).

To apply, please visit the University of California Careers portal at the link provided in the original posting.