UC Cooperative Extension Specialist- Community Economic Development: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (AP 25-36) at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

UC Cooperative Extension Specialist- Community Economic Development: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (AP 25-36)University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Application Window Open date: December 9, 2025 Next review date: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position descriptionPosition OverviewThe University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist at the Assistant Rank. California's outdoor recreation economy is the largest in the United States. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, California's outdoor recreation activities led the nation in value, accounting for 2.1 percent of the state's GDP in 2023-approximately $81.5 billion, which encompassed more than 545,000 jobs and $38.1 billion in earnings. Activities include boating and fishing, cycling, climbing, hunting and shooting, winter snow sports, equestrian activities, recreational aviation, OHV/ATV use, recreational vehicles, and more. Sales of consumer goods, travel, and tourism expenses, as well as the cost of participating in outdoor recreational activities, all generate spending that contributes significantly to federal, state, and local tax revenue. This economic impact is particularly significant for rural gateway communities, where outdoor recreation and tourism-related activities comprise a substantial portion of local economic activity. Outdoor recreation economies are interconnected with multiple community domains, including strategic planning, workforce and economic development, infrastructure, small business support, housing, creative and knowledge economies, arts and culture, food and entertainment, youth development, and health and wellness. The Specialist will balance opportunities and impacts of outdoor recreation and tourism, spanning infrastructure, natural resources, environmental stewardship, and sustainable, equitable economic development. With expertise across these domains and in facilitating collaborative approaches to community problem-solving, Cooperative Extension is well-positioned to help communities manage and leverage their outdoor recreation and tourism assets. This Specialist will work in a unique role at the intersection of community economic development and outdoor recreation and tourism through an innovative research and extension program. In collaboration with academics, public agencies, and partners from the non-profit and private sectors, they will build capacity across California to foster outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities, as well as their benefits to local economies. The Specialist will work closely with UC ANR's Community Economic Development Program Area to develop statewide and local plans for sustainably enhancing California's outdoor recreation and tourism industries. UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs tailored to specific clientele groups in communities outside of UC campuses. UCCE Specialists have programs primarily focused on mission-oriented research or creative work that supports the university's efforts to extend knowledge, including outreach and community engagement. Mission-oriented research encompasses the entire research continuum, extending from basic research to the application of research results. This research is generally applied in nature and has as its goal finding solutions to problems facing society that are related to the mission of the UCCE Specialist's discipline and the UCCE mission. UCCE Specialists publish the results of applied research in a combination of peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder-facing materials, including refereed journals, technical reports, and white papers, tailored to the needs of the audiences their programs serve.The extension program disseminates knowledge and information to clientele groups to help them better understand and address problems and opportunities they face. The extension educational program serves the University's public service mission. Educational program activities include, but are not limited to, collaborations with UCCE Advisors, other UCCE Specialists, campus faculty, program teams, workgroups, or clientele groups; developing and presenting educational materials; communicating to clientele through broadcast, print, or electronic media; participating in meetings with clientele; developing and presenting in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences. Much of this work is conducted in partnership with UC ANR's locally based UCCE Advisors. The UCCE Specialist - Advisor and faculty partnership creates an applied research network that benefits both the University and the public at large. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University.Location Headquarters. The Specialist will be based at the UC ANR headquarters, at 2801 2nd Street in Davis, CA, with the potential to explore opportunities at the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) headquarters in Sacramento, CA.Position DetailsThis position will provide critical technical support to enhance community and economic development research, planning, and project implementation related to outdoor recreation and sustainable tourism. Major duties and responsibilities include: Develop and implement a collaborative research, education, and outreach program to build and strengthen California's outdoor recreation and tourism economy. Conduct applied research on topics such as:o Best practices in Destination Management and sustainable tourism strategies o Develop toolkits, case studies, and other tools that communities can use to maximize their outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities for collaborative partnerships, infrastructure, small business, and workforce developmento Innovative public and private financing and policy mechanisms for outdoor recreation infrastructure and small business development, community and economic development incentives and land use practices, community benefits, workforce development, and other measureso Develop economic, workforce, visitor and tourism profiles and data tools and strategic planning methods to support local planning collaboratives, set baselines and track progress Provide research and data support for local partners to create baseline and performance assessments of economic, community, and environmental indicators that support understanding of tourism and visitor activities and profiles, industry and business conditions, outdoor recreation infrastructure and stakeholder assets, labor and workforce conditions, and environmental and natural resources impacts in the context of sustainable recreation and tourism. Develop and support strategic planning and capacity to implement sustainable recreation and tourism development projects, working with multiple community partners, state and federal agencies (particularly land managers and parks), private sector partners like Chambers of Commerce and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and industry associations, educational institutions, and community-based organizations, like outdoor recreation user groups and advocacy organizations. Work with tribal partners, Latino communities, and other underrepresented communities as partners in planning for sustainable recreation and tourism. Support fund development, grantmaking, incentives, and policy measures that promise to enhance regional business activity, improve quality of life (including placemaking, arts and creative economy, main street revitalization), and mitigate environmental impacts that result from activities in the tourism and recreation economy. Extend knowledge on outdoor recreation and tourism through different modalities and approaches, which may include extension publications, newsletters, web pages, blogs, policy briefs, UCCE Advisor meetings, on-site visits to partner locations, and clientele workshops. Collaborate with UCCE Advisors and Specialists, UC ANR statewide programs, institutes, program teams and the newly established Outdoor Recreation Institute to develop statewide and local plans for developing California's outdoor recreation and tourism industries. Publish in relevant UCANR outlets and external peer-reviewed journals appropriate for the field of outdoor recreation. Counties of Responsibility: This statewide position will support California communities and their outdoor recreation and tourism economies. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse stakeholders throughout the state.Reporting Relationship: UC ANR will oversee the merit and promotion process, consistent with other UC ANR CE Specialists. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the UC ANR headquarters in Davis, CA. Qualifications and Skills RequiredEducation: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) in community economic development, business, tourism and recreation, outdoor recreation, economics, public administration, public policy, urban planning, rural sociology, landscape architecture, natural resource management, environmental studies, or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment . click apply for full job details