California's rangelands are critical to its ranching industry and rural communities, supporting vast carbon stocks, numerous imperiled species of native plants, fish, and wildlife. However, rangelands are often located in the fastest growing counties thereby at risk to be converted for other land uses. The incumbent is expected to work collaboratively, playing a leadership role to protect and enhance rangeland landscapes, and their sustainable use, across California.

The holder of the Russell L. Rustici Endowed Specialist in Cooperative Extension in Rangeland Watershed Science must have a demonstrated record of achievement in influential publications, external grant funding, and leadership in extending knowledge. This record should reflect strong interdisciplinary collaborations with AES scientists, Cooperative Extension Specialists, and farm advisors focused on rangeland and watershed management issues. The incumbent must demonstrate evidence of a commitment to published research and leadership in outreach activities related to rangeland management preferably in the connections between range management, water quality, hydrology, and related ecosystem processes. Collaboration of between the holder of the Russel L. Rustici Endowed Specialist in the Cooperative Extension and that of the Russell L. Rustici Endowed Chair in Rangeland Watershed Science should be pursued.

The incumbent will be a Cooperative Extension Specialist (associate or full) faculty member in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The incumbent is expected to maintain an active, externally funded extension and on-the-ground research program(s) related to the connections of rangeland management, hydrology or water quality and related ecosystem processes in support of the California Rangeland Resolution that the University of California has endorsed (see below for the resolution). The incumbent is expected to submit to the CAES dean’s office an annual report of scholarly activities related to the chair position. Advancement of the Rustici CE Chair incumbent through the CE ranks will be on the basis on his/her scholarly activities including research and extension, university and public service.

Candidates should be prepared to present a seminar that illustrates the candidate’s research and ability to communicate to an audience with diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

This is a 5-year appointment with possibility of reappointment.

California Rangeland Resolution

WHEREAS, these rangelands include rich and varied landscapes of grasslands, oak woodlands, mixed forests, vernal pools, riparian areas and other wetlands that support numerous imperiled species, many native plants once common throughout California, and the highest diversity and density of wintering raptors anywhere in North America; and that provide many other natural resource benefits to California;

WHEREAS, most of California’s rangelands, and the species that rely on these habitats, persist in large part due to longstanding stewardship by the ranchers who have owned and managed these lands and who are committed to a healthy future for their working landscapes;
WHEREAS, many of California’s rangelands are located in the State’s fastest-growing counties and are at significant risk of conversion to development and other uses;

WHEREAS, rangelands are a critical foundation of the economic and social fabric of California’s ranching industry and rural communities, and active stewardship of private and other rangelands by ranching families can ensure that they will continue to provide important public benefits for all Californians;

THEREFORE, we declare that it is our goal to collaboratively work together to protect and enhance California’s rangeland landscapes by: Supporting the long-term viability of the ranching industry, its privately-owned rangelands, and its culture, by providing economic, social and other incentives, by reducing barriers to proactive stewardship on ranchlands, and by conserving privately-owned ranches and maintaining and enhancing opportunities for ecologically sound stewardship of public rangelands;

Keeping common species common on working landscapes, and by working to recover imperiled species and enhance habitat on rangelands while seeking to improve the regulatory environment in which rangeland managers operate and to streamline the permitting processes;
Understanding that livestock grazing may not be appropriate or viable on certain sensitive landscapes, working to increase our understanding of appropriate management on these landscapes;

Increasing private, state and federal funding, technical expertise, rangeland research and other assistance to continue and expand the ranching community’s beneficial land stewardship practices that benefit rangeland ecosystems, are fully compatible with normal ranching practices, and that encourage voluntary, collaborative and locally-led conservation that has proven to be very effective in maintaining and enhancing working landscapes;
Educating the public about the benefits of grazing and ranching on California’s rangelands.

• Associate or Full Rank Specialist in CE.

• The holder of the Russell L. Rustici Endowed Specialist in Cooperative Extension in Rangeland Watershed Science must have a demonstrated record of achievement in influential publications, external grant funding and leadership in extending knowledge. This record should reflect strong interdisciplinary collaborations with AES scientists, Cooperative Extension Specialists and farm advisors focused on rangeland and watershed management issues.

• The candidate must demonstrate evidence of a commitment to published research and leadership in outreach activities related to rangeland management preferably in the connections between range management, water quality, hydrology, and the related ecosystem processes.

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Statement of Interest and Description of Research - Not to exceed three pages

• List of Publications - During the last 5 years.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at:

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment.(Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.