Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist CA,

Position: Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist - Flexible Location, CA, Job ID 81483
Statewide Cottage Foods Education Specialist - Flexible Location, CA, Job

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The University of California Master Food Preserver Program based in Davis, CA, extends UC research-based information about home food safety and preservation to the public. The UC Master Food Preserver Program is a public service and outreach program under UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) within the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension county offices and a statewide online delivery program.

This position may be headquartered in one of the following counties:
Riverside, San Joaquin, Placer, Humboldt, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, or at the Hansen Research and Extension Center (REC).

The Cottage Food Operations Education Specialist will lead the development and implementation of a statewide UC Master Food Preserver (MFP) public education and volunteer certification program to provide training and technical support for cottage food operators throughout California. The Education Specialist will collaborate with statewide and county-based MFP personnel and volunteers and cottage food operators to support innovation in the development of processed food products and foster small business development and entrepreneurship.

This position will provide content expertise in food preservation methods, build strong partnerships with environmental health departments, and develop resources to assist California cottage foods operators with regulatory compliance and food safety best practices. This position will work under the general supervision of the MFP Program Manager and will collaborate closely with the UC SAREP Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies to integrate cottage foods projects into strategic planning and program development for the MFP and UC SAREP.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Master Food Preservers Program. While this position normally is based in
Riverside, San Joaquin, Placer, Humboldt, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa or at the Hansen Research and Extension Center (REC), this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $62,900.00/year to $86,500.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/27/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

60%

Develop and establish a statewide UC Master Food Preserver Cottage Food Operator public education and volunteer certification program that meets local, state, and national health and safety regulations relevant to local and regional sales of processed food products:

Design and develop new statewide curriculum, guidelines, and certification materials for UC Master Food Preserver volunteers to train new and existing cottage food operators statewide.

• Create clear processes for volunteer certification, renewal, and ongoing support.
• Implement a pilot program for Cottage Food Operator training in selected counties.
• Promote public educational materials, webinars, and in-person workshops to train cottage food operators on food safety, compliance, and certification processes, taught by UC Master Food Preserver volunteers.
• Provide leadership, content expertise, technical support, and guidance to cottage food operators and MFP Coordinators, providing resources, answering questions and troubleshooting challenges.
  
  20%
  
  Coordinate engagement with subject matter experts and stakeholders to improve outreach, extension, and program development:
• Collaborate with UC ANR academics and staff providing content expertise in food safety, value-added product development, and community and economic development.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with environmental health departments, regulatory agencies, and local government entities to ensure program alignment with local, state, and federal food safety standards.
• Foster partnerships with cottage food operators, industry groups, and advocacy organizations to promote the program and its public benefits.
• Provide science-based information to the cottage food industry through active participation in relevant meetings, conferences, and working groups.
• Identify opportunities to include Cottage Foods Operator training in UC SAREP and F3 Local programs supporting small-scale food entrepreneurs and economic development.
  
  20%
  
  Contribute to strategic planning and program evaluation:
• Advise Statewide MFP Program Manager and UC SAREP Associate Director of Sustainable Food Economies on changes and improvements to Cottage Foods Operator programs, policies, and practices.
• Coordinate long range strategic…