Community Education Specialist 3 - Santa Maria, CA, Job ID 87853

The Community Education Specialist 3 (CES 3) will coordinate garden-based educational programming to support community health and wellbeing in Northern Santa Barbara County. They will be responsible for conducting and managing evidence-based educational and development programs to community members, including professionals, families, youth, and volunteers. This includes collecting and entering data, compiling enrollment information, and supporting related applied research/program evaluation efforts. The CES 3 will build and maintain an informal network of partners and align special education projects with approved curricula and educational materials.

This position is a career appointment that is 50% variable.

Pay Scale: $26.53/hour to $35.73/hour.

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 08/19/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

Requirements:

• Associate degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Continuing education in related field required.
• Experience with Cooperative Extension, community education and/or teaching practices related to nutrition, health, mindfulness, gardening, food preservation, horticulture, and environmental science.
• Thorough analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, maintain schedules, and organize garden spaces and supplies.
• Thorough skills to write newsletters, correspondence, and reports.
• Experience working with and/or coordinating volunteers.
• Experience teaching and working with a diverse audience, including youth, adults and volunteers.
• Familiarity with community-based organizations, agencies, and/or businesses in the local area with similar or complementary missions to UCCE and/or UCCE programs.
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to meet the varied needs of program, participants, partners, and UCCE. This includes successfully working with different ages groups, working in both indoor and outdoor environments, and working across a wide range of tasks (such as teaching, garden development/maintenance, program evaluation, and report writing).
• Thorough skills to conduct needs assessment and development of new presentations / courses to meet organizational needs.
• Proficient in use of Windows-based computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Bilingual communication / translation abilities in English and Spanish.

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.
• Must comply with regulatory agency reporting requirements (California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act).
• 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.

  a. "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

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Internal Candidates*: To apply as an internal UC ANR employee, please go to:
https://ucphrprdpub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucphrprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Employee&SiteId=18&JobOpeningId=87853&PostingSeq=1

External Candidates*: You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Click the 'Register Now' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

*Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site. Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.