Wasco Operations Manager; FAC MGR

This position involves 50%-75% travel between Wasco and Davis, at least twice monthly.

UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is seeking an experienced professional with strong knowledge of UC Davis policies and procedures and proven expertise in managing large, complex facilities. This position will be based in Davis and travel regularly to the Resnick Agricultural Research Facility, located in Wasco, Ca.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and implementing operational policies and procedures for the Wasco facility, ensuring that research activities are supported safely and efficiently. A critical component of this role is serving as the primary liaison between Davis-based academic implementation efforts and Wasco facility operations. This includes active participation in the implementation committee, coordinating planning, aligning processes, and facilitating regular faculty, staff, and student visits to the site.

Responsibilities include overseeing facility maintenance and infrastructure planning, coordinating staffing and daily operations, ensuring compliance with research and safety requirements, and supervising on-site staff.

This position requires excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments, guide process development, and support long‑term planning for a major research facility.

January 4, 2026 at 11:59pm

For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position.

• Any Ammonia certification and/or related OSHA safety training.
• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training in facilities management, policy development, and agricultural research facilities, with knowledge of practices and procedures relating to facility maintenance and safety.
• Minimum 3-5 years related experience.
• Demonstrated ability as a technical leader with deep knowledge of research greenhouses and facilities and superior problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to function with a high degree of autonomy to manage operations across multiple locations.
• Proven experience in long‑range planning and execution of operational activities for large, complex research facilities, including coordination, oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordination skills in building management procedures and space planning activities for facilities with specialized needs such as laboratories, ventilation, and hazardous materials.
• Skill in mentoring, training, and supervising staff to ensure effective operations and adherence to safety requirements.
• Ability to serve as a liaison between Davis academic stakeholders and Wasco operations, coordinating planning efforts, aligning processes with research goals, and facilitating regular faculty, staff, and student engagement at the facility.

• Minimum 5-7 years related experience.
• Experience developing and managing budgets for significant facility infrastructure upgrades, moves, and long‑term operational planning.
• Experience with reviewing, evaluating, and recommending improvements to building management procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Experience collaborating with department leadership to plan and allocate space for complex research activities.
• Skilled in planning space to accommodate non‑routine systems, specialized research equipment, and hazardous materials storage and disposal - Ammonia safety knowledge a plus!

• 20% - Coordination and Project Support
• 20% - Strategic Planning and Budget Management
• 20% - Supervision/ Team Management
• 40% - General Facility Oversight

The UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) is the largest academic unit on the Davis campus, with over 3,700 acres devoted to research and teaching. The College serves more than 7,000 undergraduate and…