Environmental Permitting & Conservation Program Instructor

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse portfolio on the campus, with programs spanning pre-college, professional continuing education, workforce development, international academic and cultural exchange, and training services for corporate and agency partners. As a global leader in continuing education, CPE serves learners regionally, nationally and globally, and posts more than 55K enrollments annually making it the third largest UC Extension by enrollment.

Beyond its community-facing role, CPE serves as the internal hub for online education in support of other academic units on the campus.

Under the general supervision of Instructor Services, the Instructor(s) will partner with UC Davis support team members to teach students federal and California endangered species regulatory frameworks, conservation permitting processes, regulatory agency roles and processes, and the development and application of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs).

Through a combination of online instruction and prerecorded lectures, the Instructor(s) will help students develop the knowledge and skills identified in the course learning outcomes. The Instructor(s) must be highly credible subject‑matter experts with current knowledge and practical experience in the domain area who can collaborate effectively with CPE staff and learning experience designers.

The primary responsibilities of the Instructor(s) are to deliver instruction aligned with established learning outcomes; review and update course content to maintain its accuracy, relevance, and currency; and recommend future enhancements or changes based on developments in the field and the evolving needs of the target audience. This is a work‑for‑hire role.

• Endangered Species Regulations and Protection
• Habitat Conservation Planning and Natural Community Conservation Planning

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resources, environmental planning, environmental policy, geography, law, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) or California Endangered Species Act (CESA) compliance; conservation permitting;
  Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs);
  Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs); environmental permitting and regulatory consultation; or habitat conservation and species protection programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and California endangered species regulatory frameworks, conservation permitting processes, and relevant regulatory agency roles and processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical and regulatory concepts to a diverse professional learner population.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with CPE staff, with particular emphasis on working with the Learning Innovation Team.
• Two or more years’ experience teaching or training.

• Master’s degree, Ph.D., or other advanced degree in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, environmental law, or a related discipline.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in conservation permitting, environmental consulting, government regulatory programs, infrastructure permitting, transportation planning, renewable energy development, habitat conservation planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in significant conservation planning projects or leadership roles involving environmental permitting or conservation programs.
• Experience designing or delivering professional or continuing education programs for adult learners.

• Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs)
• Incidental Take Permits