2026 Call for UCCE Positions

UC ANR is pleased to release this 2026 Call for UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor and Specialist Positions. We are building on the almost 50 positions approved during the 2024 call and the 2022 historic release of over 100 UCCE positions over several years. We continue to prioritize growing our academic footprint to provide the expertise needed to improve the lives of all Californians and address emerging and future needs. We plan to release 13-14 new priority UCCE Advisor and 6-7 new priority UCCE Specialist positions.

Process Overview

Image

Process orientation webinar recording and presentation slides (March 4) for Program Team Leaders, Statewide Program/Institute (SWP/I) 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 rank 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. Idea Board is updated to confirm proposals moving forward.

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

For UCCE Advisor Positions:

• Each of the 5 Leadership & Extension Advisory Directors (LEAD) regional teams work within their teams to submit ~6 proposals identified by each UC ANR Program Team and that align with county academic planning priorities. Program Teams should be involved in co-development. In total, ~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 that align with campus academic planning priorities. Program Teams should be involved in co-development. In total, ~33 specialist proposals will be submitted. 

Submission

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

Stage 4: Program Council reviews – July 7-8

Program Council rates and recommends priorities to Vice President.

Stage 5: Positions Announced – early fall

Vice President makes final decisions and releases positions.

Proposal template 

(required)

Good examples from previous years. Please note that the template has slight changes; please follow the instructions on the template.

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

Resources 

Process FAQs Google Doc with ongoing updates

Coming March 5: Link to UCCE Position Proposal Criteria

UCCE Programmatic Footprint Maps

Link to maps

These maps help identify where UCCE Advisors and Specialists are currently located and where there may be geographic or programmatic gaps. The secondary data layers on that maps provide data that can support proposals.

Maps are updated quarterly. They will be updated by mid-March with separations as of January 31. Please let Katherine Webb-Martinez know if you want us to manually remove someone ASAP. 

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

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

UCCE Specialists

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