Assistant Specialist in Biomass and Bioenergy - 100% Time Represented (AP# 24-11)

County Location: Riverside County

Date Posted: August 1, 2024
Closing Date: October 3, 2024

Job Description: Download

Position Overview

Location Headquarters:  Riverside County, California

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for an Assistant Specialist in Biomass and Bioenergy.  UC ANR coordinates a statewide network of researchers and educators in partnership with Counties that are dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental, youth, and health issues. Over 180 UC ANR UCCE academics conduct research, outreach and education from locally based Cooperative Extension offices in over 70 locations. Our mission is to bring the University of California directly to Californians through research, extension, and education programs that support:

Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery

• Economic success in a global economy
• A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
• Science literacy and youth development

By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California’s reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the UC system.

Purpose:

The Assistant Specialist will work under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and the Co-Principal Investigator. The Assistant Specialist will conduct geospatial, lifecycle, and techno-economic research on biomass, biofuels and other bioproducts, and will be involved in researching products utilizing forest-sourced biomass to showcase at the demonstration sites and provide technical assistance to companies. The work will involve conducting literature reviews, gathering and analyzing data through market research, conducting techno-economic assessment (TEA), lifecycle assessment (LCA), and geospatial analysis, drafting reports/papers, and potentially preparing grant applications. The work will require developing and maintaining close collaborations with stakeholders including the state and federal agencies, industry, research institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), forest landowners and the public.

 

Responsibilities:

 

The Assistant Specialist will:

• Research evaluating sites for biomass-derived fuels including geospatial resource assessment, evaluating supply chains and developing case studies to repurpose existing sawmills and biopower plants
• Conduct a geospatial resource assessment to identify and quantify regional available forest biomass feedstocks and elements to support business attraction and to provide them with preliminary information for project feasibilities.
• Identify current suppliers and service providers of biomass-generating enterprises.  Evaluate their interest and capacity to expand operations in a broader bioeconomy.  Identify challenges to operations (logistic, regulatory, fiscal) and potential solutions to issues
• Identify and assess current training programs for harvest/collection of biomass feedstocks, training needs of potential new enterprises (e.g., biomass depots and pre-processing facilities), special equipment operational training (transport, pre-digester or pre-pyrolysis processing)
• Conduct outreach workshops with the staff of federal and state agencies, research institutions, industry and forest landowners to lay the groundworks and ensure local alignment with “success attributes” for bioproducts
• Conduct economic and policy analysis of wood products industry in California.
• Develop and publish business plan “Advancing the Bioeconomy in the Fresno Region: A Strategic Approach for Rural Economic Development” and “Advancing the Bioeconomy in the San Bernardino Region: A Strategic Approach for Rural Economic Development” together with the Biomass Campuses.

• Reporting Relationship: The Assistant Specialist is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Biomass and Bioenergy Advisor in Riverside County.

  Required Qualifications and Skills 

  Required Qualifications:

  Education: A master’s degree or other advanced degrees in disciplines in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Wood Science, Natural Resources, Public Administration, and/or related fields is required by the appointment start date.

  Additional Qualifications:

  • Prior experience with bioeconomy, bioenergy, or forest industry
  • Experience with conducting geospatial modelling.
  • Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs
  • This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to work onsite. In accordance with UC ANR Flexible Work Guidelines flexible work agreements are available upon approval by supervisors and periodic re-evaluation.
  • Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.

   

  Desired Qualifications:

  • Excellent writing skills and a record of successful grant/funding applications.
  • Strong technical background in biomass process engineering, optimization modeling, and/or LCA and TEA modeling tools. 
  • Record of publications in scientific journals.

  Skills Required:   To be successful, the Assistant Specialist requires skills in the following areas:

   

  Technical Competence and Impact

  • Ensure clientele needs are assessed, and develops program goals to successfully meet clientele needs, in alignment with UC ANR’s statewide Strategic Vision and initiatives.
  • Conduct applied research designed to solve wildfires and biomass utilization problems in California and contribute to published research.
  • Maintain and promote UC ANR’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge and skills independent of personal or parochial interests.
  • Represent UC ANR locally in a professional manner.

Communication

• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.
• Skills to communicate and extend technical information to diverse audiences are required.
• Ability to give presentations at seminars and continuing education functions.

 

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others.
• Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

Lifelong Learning

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement - both professionally and as a person.

 

About UC ANR

 

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the state of California.  We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians.  UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Initiatives (SWP/I’s) that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams to work on complex issues requiring trans-disciplinary approaches; as well as UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in counties throughout the state.

 

Learn more about

• UC ANR at https://UCANR.edu
• UC ANR in counties: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr/County_Offices/
• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/
• Our Public Value statements at  https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Planning/UC_ANR_Public_Values/  
• DEI: Further to the above, Specialists are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/
• Affirmative Action: Further to the above, all UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/
• The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Salary & Benefits

SALARY:  The salary will be in the Specialist series from Assistant Specialist Step 1 -$61,300 to Step 2- $64,700 annually of the Represented Specialist Fiscal Year Salary Scale Table.  Step placement in this series is based on experience and professional qualifications.   For information regarding the Specialist series salary scales, please refer to:  https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t24-b.pdf. This is a represented position.

This 100% appointment is a limited term with an initial appointment of one year. The merit cycle is every two years. The performance in the position will be evaluated annually. The position will be extended based on the continued need for the position, performance and availability of funding.

 

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and holidays. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #24-11)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by October 3, 2024 (open until filled).

Questions?

Contact Mikyla Perez; email:  mikperez@ucanr.edu

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu and the UC ANR Green Card Sponsorship Guidelines & FAQ's for reference.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time.  Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. 

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.