UC Master Gardener Program Community Education Specialist - Novato, CA,

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Area Director, Environmental Horticulture Advisor and UC Master Program statewide office, the UC Master Gardener Program Community Education Specialist 3 is responsible for the coordination of horticulture education and outreach, volunteer engagement and leadership, community partnership development, and oversight of garden related technical assistance for the public on behalf of UCCE Marin County. This includes engaging, training, and guiding UC Master Gardener Program volunteers, developing and implementing yearly work plans (inclusive of outreach and parity goals), evaluating work plan goals and objectives, ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures (including risk and safety, accessibility, branding, and administrative), participating in statewide program evaluation, and writing reports.

This person will coordinate efforts and serve as a liaison with other agencies providing related services in Marin County, build and maintain formal and informal coalitions of partners, and volunteer engagement skills and competence. This person will coordinate with UC Master Gardener Program colleagues at statewide and local levels to strengthen community engagement approaches and interventions and develop new strategies to meet program goals.

Since 1980, the UC Master Gardener Program has helped deliver University of California research directly to Californians who share a passion for gardening and environmental stewardship. More than just a gardening program, UC Master Gardener is an education and outreach statewide program of the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Our mission is to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscaping practices to the residents of California.

$60,300.00/year to $81,200.00/year

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 9/24/2026.

• Coordinate research-based garden education efforts across Marin County with a focus on community needs including food gardening, sustainable landscaping, integrated pest management, fire and waterwise landscaping, and other topics.
• Represent UCCE and the UC Master Gardener Program in a professional manner.
• Engage with the UC ANR Advisor network as subject matter and academic experts contributing to the UC Master Gardener Program.
• Develop, maintain and oversee local operating procedures and safety protocols in compliance with UC policies and procedures as needed.
• Oversee the full range of program implementation duties for the UC Master Gardener Program within statewide and division-wide guidelines.
• Maintain and or oversee an accessible digital presence which may include a website, social media, blogs, newsletters, listservs, and other tools.
• Manage and maintain Marin County volunteer management software instance.
• Perform clerical tasks as necessary to prepare and deliver workshops and training. This may include duplication of materials, maintaining filing systems, organizing and purchasing program related materials and supplies.
• Seek and participate in fund development opportunities as needed.
• Manage budgets across multiple accounts to ensure program fiscal responsibility.

• Foster a positive programmatic environment that promotes volunteer learning and leadership and cultivates successful working relationships with volunteers.
• Mentor and train UC Master Gardener Program volunteers toward the implementation of impact-focused projects and opportunities.
• Coordinate, conduct, and/or oversee delivery of UC Master Gardener Program volunteer training utilizing research-based curricula, materials, forms, and UC ANR content experts.
• Progress UC Master Gardener Program volunteer recruitment efforts through utilization of statewide volunteer identification and selection materials, volunteer and county demographic data, and division-wide tools to ensure that core training program benefits are accessible to all.
• Develop systems and structures that promote programmatic sustainability through facilitating delegation of tasks/functions to volunteers.
• Utilize a developmental approach to volunteer-related conflict. This includes applying mediation techniques, UC ANR policy, and coaching skills to address volunteer-related disputes.
• Identify volunteer skills and competencies in order to match…