Community Education Specialist 3 - Santa Maria, CA, Job ID 87853

The Community Education Specialist 3 (CES
3) will coordinate garden-based educational programming to support community health and wellbeing in Northern Santa Barbara County. They will be responsible for conducting and managing evidence-based educational and development programs to community members, including professionals, families, youth, and volunteers. This includes collecting and entering data, compiling enrollment information, and supporting related applied research/program evaluation efforts. The CES 3 will build and maintain an informal network of partners and align special education projects with approved curricula and educational materials.

This position is a career appointment that is 50% variable.

Pay Scale: $26.53/hour to $35.73/hour.

Job Posting Close Date:

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 08/21/2026.

• 20% Working under the supervision of their advisor, this position will support the expansions of integrated UCCE programs. This includes bridging the gap in UCCE educational outreach and volunteer participation between the north and south county. Efforts will include oversight of related UCCE volunteer projects and initiatives, including to recruit, train, and provide support for volunteers to deliver UCCE approved curricula and activities.
  
  Coordinate with volunteers for lesson delivery and management as needed.
• 20% Provides direct and indirect delivery of evidence-based curricula:
  Delivers hands-on lessons that integrate nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, food resource management, environmental science, other subjects with garden educations. Serves as a work leader for participants in the garden, facilitate their hands-on experiences, and leads community events.
• 20% Develops and maintains sites (e.g. school gardens, community-based gardens, field sites) that are utilized for direct and indirect program delivery and research projects. This includes hands-on field works tasks, such as planting, tending, and harvesting produce. Working with and providing training for site partners (e.g. volunteers, community members, site personnel, families, and/or students) to ensure garden maintenance (e.g. seeding, weeding, fertilizing, and pest management).
• 20% Assesses the successes and challenges of lesson delivery, as well as evaluating the impact of the program. Work with volunteers to assess the successes and challenges of lesson delivery. Collects data and maintains detailed records of data and samples collected using computer-based applications. Maintains appropriate records tracking the partnerships, collaborations, and community events on an annual basis for reporting purposes.
• 10% Collaborates with local partners (i.e. community leaders, youth and adult educators, community gardens, etc.) to establish relationships and build outreach networks. Works with other UCCE programs in order to coordinate outreach and programmatic efforts. Attends community events representing UCCE. Working under the supervision of their advisor, developing strategic outreach plans that expand program access and awareness across all communities, removing barriers to participation and ensuring equitable opportunity for engagement.
• 10% Additional duties as assigned.

• Associate degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Continuing education in related field required.
• Experience with Cooperative Extension, community education and/or teaching practices related to nutrition, health, mindfulness, gardening, food preservation, horticulture, and environmental science.
• Thorough analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, maintain schedules, and organize garden spaces and supplies.
• Thorough skills to write newsletters, correspondence, and reports.
• Experience working with and/or coordinating volunteers.
• Experience teaching and working with a diverse audience, including youth, adults and volunteers.
• Familiarity with community-based organizations, agencies, and/or businesses in the local area with similar or complementary missions to UCCE and/or UCCE programs.
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to meet the varied needs of program, participants, partners, and UCCE. This includes successfully working with different ages groups, working in both indoor and outdoor environments, and working across a wide range of tasks (such as teaching, garden development/maintenance, program evaluation, and report writing).
• Thorough skills to conduct needs assessment and development of new presentations / courses to meet organizational needs.
• Proficient in use of Windows-based computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Bachelor degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Bilingual communication / translation abilities in English and Spanish.