Valley Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development Coordinator - Community and Labor Center

Position Overview

Position title: Valley Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development Coordinator

Salary range: See Table 36 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable salary estimate for Academic Coordinator II is at a range between $101,425 - $141,646 annually.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: June 1, 2026

Position duration: 1 year (June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027)

Open date: February 9, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Jan 29, 2027 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.

I. Coordination of Academic Programs (75%) – The UC Merced Community and Labor Center seeks an Academic Coordinator II with a background in climate and sustainability. Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Valley Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development Coordinator will develop and lead the Valley Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development program (“Valley SEED”), an initiative focused on high‑road economic and workforce development.

The Coordinator will conduct outreach and convene campus constituents to identify faculty, researchers, and students with an interest in climate and sustainability or related disciplines. The Coordinator will assess program and constituency needs to integrate worker‑centered climate and sustainability research, education, and public service into academic programs. The Coordinator will plan and develop proposals for Valley SEED activities that complement academic programs.

The Coordinator will liaise with multiple collaboratives, including campus stakeholders and diverse regional stakeholders such as community‑based organizations, labor unions, and local and state public agencies. The Coordinator will be responsible for keeping the leadership and committees of collaboratives informed, engaged, and organized to align work across applied research, civic engagement, coalition development, and policy development.

II. Professional Competence and Activity (15%) – The Coordinator will be a member of a professional association and will collaborate with center faculty and other campus academics to support the development and dissemination of working papers, publications, and funding opportunities that advance the intellectual and scholarly missions of the Community and Labor Center, Valley SEED‑related programs, and UC Merced.

III. University and Public Service (10%) – The Coordinator will also participate in the administration of the Community and Labor Center through appropriate roles in governance and policy formulation. The Coordinator will also represent the University as a subject‑matter expert in climate and sustainability and as the Valley SEED Coordinator for the Climate and Rural Economy program.

Basic qualifications:

• Graduate or professional degree in a field related to climate, sustainability, labor studies, public policy, or a related discipline.
• Substantial professional experience in climate and sustainability‑related fields, including program development, coordination, applied research, or public service.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience supporting or contributing to climate and sustainability education in higher education settings (e.g., guest lecturing, curriculum development, workshops, or public education).
• Experience conducting public education targeting low‑income workers and residents.
• Experience convening community‑based organizations.
• Experience working with labor unions.

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Past Experience
• Authorization to Release Information Form – As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing…