UC ANR is pleased to release the 2026 Call for UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor and Specialist Positions. This call builds on the almost 50 positions approved during the 2024 call and the 2022 historic release of more than 100 UCCE positions over several years.

UC ANR continues to prioritize growing its academic footprint to provide the expertise needed to improve the lives of all Californians and address emerging and future needs. We plan to release 13 to 14 new priority UCCE Advisor positions and 6 to 7 new priority UCCE Specialist positions.

Process Overview

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The process includes five stages: identifying priority positions, matching priorities with other groups, proposal co-creation and submission, Program Council review, and final position announcements.

View the process orientation webinar recording and presentation slides from March 4 for Program Team Leaders, Statewide Program/Institute Directors, Area/County Directors, and campus leadership.

Timeline

Stage 1: Identify priority positions by March 31

Designated groups identify and post their top priority positions and rankings to Idea Board. These groups work collaboratively across the UC ANR network and seek external stakeholder input.

Stage 2: Match priorities with other groups by April 24

Designated groups connect to identify matches and agree on positions to propose. The Idea Board/Google Sheet is updated to confirm proposals moving forward.

Stage 3: Proposal co-creation and submission by June 12

For UCCE Advisor positions:

• Each of the five Leadership & Extension Advisory Directors (LEAD) regional teams will work within their teams to submit approximately six proposals identified by each UC ANR Program Team and aligned with county academic planning priorities. Program Teams should be involved in co-development. In total, approximately 33 advisor proposals will be submitted.

For UCCE Specialist positions:

• UC Campus Provosts and/or Chancellors submit proposals identified by each UC ANR Program Team and aligned with campus academic planning priorities. Program Teams should be involved in co-development. In total, approximately 33 specialist proposals will be submitted.

Submission instructions

• LEAD regional teams: Use the Google Folder URL emailed by Janine Woods, Executive Director of County Cooperative Extension.
• UC Campus Provosts or Chancellors: Email proposals directly to Darren Haver, UC ANR Interim Associate Vice President of Research and Cooperative Extension, at dlhaver@ucanr.edu. Proposals will be added to this webpage by UC ANR.

Stage 4: Program Council reviews, July 7-8

Program Council rates proposals and recommends priorities to the Vice President.

Stage 5: Positions announced in early fall

The Vice President makes final decisions and releases positions.

Proposal Template and Resources

Proposal Template

The proposal template is required. Please note that the template has slight changes from previous years, so be sure to follow the instructions included in the current template.

Examples from Previous Years

• Agricultural Economics-Small Farms and Rural Economic Development Specialist
• Coastal Hydrology Agriculture and Water Resilience Specialist
• Commensal Rodents & Urban Wildlife Integrated Pest Management Area Advisor
• Horticulture and Small Farms Area Advisor
• Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor
• Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor

Additional Resources

• Process FAQs Google Doc
• UCCE Position Proposal Criteria (PDF)
• UCCE Programmatic Footprint Maps

UCCE Programmatic Footprint Maps

The UCCE Programmatic Footprint Maps help identify where UCCE Advisors and Specialists are currently located and where there may be geographic or programmatic gaps. Secondary data layers on the maps provide information that can support proposals.

Maps are updated quarterly. They will be updated by mid-March with separations as of January 31. Please contact Katherine Webb-Martinez if someone needs to be manually removed sooner.

The March 4 orientation webinar recording linked above includes an overview and demo of the maps.

Questions

For overall process questions: Contact Katherine Webb-Martinez at katherine.webb-martinez@ucop.edu or (510) 987-0029.

For questions about using the Padlet or Google Drive: Contact Kit Alviz at kit.alviz@ucop.edu.

UCCE Position Proposals

UCCE Advisors

Advisor proposals will be added as they become available.

UCCE Specialists

Specialist proposals will be added as they become available.

This webpage was last updated on Feb. 26, 2026.