Description

Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist - Flexible Location, CA, Job ID 81483

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The University of California Master Food Preserver Program based in Davis, CA, extends UC research-based information about home food safety and preservation to the public. The UC Master Food Preserver Program is a public service and outreach program under UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) within the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension county offices and a statewide online delivery program. This position may be headquartered in one of the following counties: Riverside, San Joaquin, Placer, Humboldt, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, or at the Hansen Research and Extension Center (REC).

The Cottage Food Operations Education Specialist will lead the development and implementation of a statewide UC Master Food Preserver (MFP) public education and volunteer certification program to provide training and technical support for cottage food operators throughout California. The Education Specialist will collaborate with statewide and county-based MFP personnel and volunteers and cottage food operators to support innovation in the development of processed food products and foster small business development and entrepreneurship. This position will provide content expertise in food preservation methods, build strong partnerships with environmental health departments, and develop resources to assist California cottage foods operators with regulatory compliance and food safety best practices. This position will work under the general supervision of the MFP Program Manager and will collaborate closely with the UC SAREP Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies to integrate cottage foods projects into strategic planning and program development for the MFP and UC SAREP.

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

The home department is the Master Food Preservers Program. While this position normally is based in
Riverside, San Joaquin, Placer, Humboldt, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa or at the Hansen Research and Extension Center (REC), this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $62,900.00/year to $86,500.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/27/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

60%

Develop and establish a statewide UC Master Food Preserver Cottage Food Operator public education and volunteer certification program that meets local, state, and national health and safety regulations relevant to local and regional sales of processed food products:

Design and develop new statewide curriculum, guidelines, and certification materials for UC Master Food Preserver volunteers to train new and existing cottage food operators statewide.

Create clear processes for volunteer certification, renewal, and ongoing support.

Implement a pilot program for Cottage Food Operator training in selected counties.

Promote public educational materials, webinars, and in-person workshops to train cottage food operators on food safety, compliance, and certification processes, taught by UC Master Food Preserver volunteers.

Provide leadership, content expertise, technical support, and guidance to cottage food operators and MFP Coordinators, providing resources, answering questions and troubleshooting challenges.

20%

Coordinate engagement with subject matter experts and stakeholders to improve outreach, extension, and program development:

Collaborate with UC ANR academics and staff providing 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 to ensure program alignment with local, state, and federal food safety standards.

Foster partnerships with cottage food operators, industry groups, and advocacy organizations to promote the program and its public benefits.

Provide science-based information to the cottage food industry through active participation in relevant meetings, conferences, and working groups.

Identify opportunities to include Cottage Foods Operator training in UC SAREP and F3 Local programs supporting small-scale food entrepreneurs and economic development.

20%

Contribute to strategic planning and program evaluation:

Advise Statewide MFP Program Manager and UC SAREP Associate Director of Sustainable Food Economies on changes and improvements to Cottage Foods Operator programs, policies, and practices.

Coordinate long range strategic planning for the Cottage Foods Operator curriculum in collaboration with the statewide Master Food Preserver program.

Collect and analyze program data to provide recommendations and participate in strategic planning efforts.

Solicit feedback from end users and stakeholders for continuous program improvement.

Use data to continuously improve the certification process, training materials, and overall program offerings.

Prepare regular reports on program performance, including impact stories, challenges, and recommendations for program adjustments.

Requirements:

• 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, background and experience in food science, food safety, nutrition, dietetics, public health, or a similar field relevant to evidence-based food preservation techniques and/or small-scale food business operations.
• In-depth analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to maintain effective professional relationships with staff, volunteers, agencies, industry groups, and program participants.
• Advanced verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills including public speaking and delivering instruction in-person and virtually.
• Advanced knowledge of university policies and procedures, or experience in a similar institutional setting.
• Knowledge of policies, regulations, and best practices relevant to small-scale food businesses, food safety, food preservation methods, and/or public health.
• Familiarity with computer software including Microsoft Office, online applications to facilitate remote teamwork, and versatility with new technology
• 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 skills to conduct needs assessments and develop new methods and materials to meet program needs.
• Advanced time management and organizational skills to manage tasks on multiple projects.

Preferred Skills:

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

Special Conditions of Employment:

• 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 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 an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
  

1. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
   

• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
  

1. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

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