Job Details

Director, Ag Innovation

Position Number: 6308552
Location: Merced, CA
Position Type: Agriculture - Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness

Director, Ag Innovation

Salary: $85,712.00 - $133,126.00 Annually
Job Type:
Job Number: 20250617
Closing: 7/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Merced College, CA
Department:

Management Range 9
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience

Additional compensation for doctorate degree

Specific Interview dates to be determined

Ready to join the transformation? Merced College is not your ordinary community college - we're pioneers of change, redefining the educational landscape and setting new standards for excellence! Nestled in the heart of California's dynamic Central Valley, Merced College is more than just a workplace - it's a gateway to limitless opportunities!

Innovation at its Finest: At Merced College innovation isn't just a buzzword - it's our way of life! We're committed to staying ahead of the curve with cutting-edge technology, transformative instructional practices, and unparalleled customer service. Join us as we pave the way for the "new" community college experience!

Invested in You: At the heart of Merced College's success are our dedicated employees. We prioritize employee well-being, happiness, and professional growth. With a culture of support and employee engagement initiatives, we ensure that every member of our team feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

About Us: Founded in 1962, Merced College boasts a rich history of academic excellence and community engagement. But we're not stopping there! We're on a mission to revolutionize the community college experience, blending tradition with innovation to create a dynamic learning environment unlike any other.

Location Perks: Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Merced is more than a workplace - it's a lifestyle. Enjoy life in a picturesque town with a vibrant community of 90,000+ and easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Join the Merced College family today and embark on a journey of innovation, growth, and fulfillment! If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, fostering innovation, and empowering others to succeed, then Merced College invites you to join. Embrace the opportunity to be part of a dynamic community dedicated to shaping the future of higher education. Apply now and let's embark on this exciting journey together!

Merced College is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of Ag Innovation. This position plays a critical role in advancing agricultural workforce initiatives, overseeing the innovative AgTEC program, and leading the continued development and implementation of the college's Ag Innovation Center. The Director will work collaboratively with faculty, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure that programs are aligned with regional workforce needs and evolving agricultural technologies. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking, student-centered professional with demonstrated experience in program development, industry engagement, and grant management. This role is responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships, securing and managing external funding, and supporting the growth of high-impact, competency-based education pathways. The Director of Ag Innovation will help position Merced College as a statewide leader in agricultural innovation, workforce development, and hands-on learning.

Merced College Vision

Merced College will provide transformative and empowering educational experiences to meet student and community needs.

Merced College Mission

Growing our community through education and workforce training:

lifelong learning
basic skills
career technical education
transfer
degree/certificate programs

Ensuring student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, institutional effectiveness, and student achievement.

General Description:

Under the direction of the Dean of Instruction, the Director of Ag Innovation provides visionary leadership and oversight for the implementation, growth, and management of Merced College's agricultural innovation efforts, including the AgTEC Workforce Initiative and Ag Innovation Center. This role leads workforce training and industry engagement efforts focused on food processing, advanced ag technologies, and climate-smart agriculture in alignment with regional and state priorities.

The Director serves as the lead administrator for the college's Competency-Based Education (CBE) agriculture programs, overseeing curriculum development, employer engagement, grant administration, and the coordination of facilities and equipment. This position plays a key role in the management of major federal and state grants, including reporting, compliance, procurement, and third-party evaluation processes. The Director also represents Merced College across regional consortia and industry groups and serves as a liaison with K-12, university, and workforce partners to ensure alignment with evolving labor market needs.

This role will lead development and operations of the 22,000 sq. ft. Ag Innovation Center and support the expansion of the Smart Farm, incorporating precision agriculture, permanent crops, and hands-on student engagement. The Director will also work closely with peer Regional Innovation Directors (RID) across partner colleges to coordinate regional delivery of the AgTEC Systems Certificate and ensure programmatic alignment.

Examples of Duties

Representative Duties:

Provide strategic and operational leadership of the AgTEC Workforce Initiative and Ag Innovation Center at Merced College.
Direct implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) pathways in agriculture, including the development of associated curriculum and employer- aligned competencies.
Manage and report on multiple grant-funded projects, including budgeting, compliance, procurement, third-party evaluation coordination, and narrative/data-driven reporting.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to design and implement student-centered, industry-informed programs and instructional resources.
Lead development of partnerships with employers, industry associations, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies to ensure workforce relevance and strengthen placement pipelines.
Develop and maintain a network of contacts within the agriculture and food technology industries to support the AgTEC training and certificate program.
Support projects related to industry partnerships, contextualization of curricula, and the practical integration of hands-on experiences for students within the program.
Develop collaboration agreements with industry partners to support AgTEC innovations and integrations.
Work collaboratively with faculty and administrators to plan, organize, develop, and evaluate programs, activities, and curriculum that meet accreditation and industry standards.
Promote, communicate, and facilitate partnerships with private and public businesses, industries, and community or public agencies, as appropriate.
Participate in community, state, and national organizations and meetings related to assigned areas or special initiatives.
Maintain current knowledge of developments and innovations in community college education, and recommend changes to programs in response to student and community needs.
Oversee the operation, equipment installation, and industry integration within the Ag Innovation Center, ensuring facilities reflect modern industry standards.
Coordinate with the college's Smart Farm development, supporting integration of technology infrastructure such as precision irrigation, crop data monitoring, and field demonstrations.
Represent Merced College in regional, statewide, and national convenings related to agricultural education and innovation.
Build and facilitate employer advisory councils, talent pipelines, and internship/apprenticeship opportunities for students.
Develop articulation and dual enrollment opportunities in coordination with K-12 partners and four-year institutions.
Supervise assigned personnel, evaluate performance, and support faculty and staff professional development aligned with AgTEC goals.
Resolve student, faculty, and staff conflicts and issues, as needed.
Support marketing, student recruitment, and outreach activities in partnership with internal and external partners.
Ensure programs are responsive to the needs of incumbent workers, underrepresented students, and rural populations.
Assist Career and Technical Education (CTE) faculty in the development of advisory committees, provide guidance in working with advisory groups, and attend advisory committee meetings.
Coordinate the procurement and distribution of grant funds, and prepare grant applications, budgets, and reports for local, state, and federal grant-supported programs.
Incorporate cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, curriculum, programs, and services to promote equity and inclusion.
Assure adherence of operations to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Serve as a member on various college committees and cross-functional teams to support institutional initiatives.
Participate in the planning, staffing, and coordination of special campus events and strategic projects.
Support and assist in recruitment and registration outreach activities aimed at expanding access to AgTEC programs.
Review contract conditions and ensure compliance with all contract terms and deliverables.
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Higher education in community colleges, including the mission of the California Community Colleges
Principles and practices of leadership
Innovative approaches in education
Successful interpersonal skills, organizational leadership, team building, staff development, and communication techniques
District organization, operations, policies, and objectives
Successful oral and written communication skills
Computer-based systems for administrative, business, and educational functions
Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training
The changing educational needs of the diverse student base and the agriculture community
Emerging technologies on teaching, learning, and instructional operations
Online/distance education learning management systems
Methods and techniques of program development and administration
Principles and procedures of report preparation and grant management
Workforce development trends and needs in agriculture, food processing, and ag technology sectors.
Principles and practices of grant administration, budgeting, and compliance reporting.
Educational partnerships, including articulation, dual enrollment, and adult education systems.
Agricultural systems, innovation trends, and regional economic development.

Ability to:

Manage assigned areas in conjunction with an instructional program
Develop plans and make recommendations on improvements
Supervise, train, coordinate, and evaluate assigned staff
Effectively communicate orally and in writing
Give clear and concise instructions
Interpret and apply rules and regulations
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, and the community
Analyze situations correctly and take effective action
Evaluate work methods and performance
Meet schedules and timelines
Maintain accurate records and prepare reports and develop budget estimates
Effectively utilize computer equipment in the performance of duties
Learn specialized computer applications
Interpret and apply District policies and procedures
Estimate materials and labor costs
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Manage large-scale grants and publicly funded programs with a focus on performance and accountability.
Build strong internal and external relationships to support student and institutional success.
Analyze labor market and workforce data to inform program development.
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Represent the college in public forums, advisory committees, and external partnerships.
Work with diverse populations and maintain sensitivity to student and community needs.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline AND one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment
Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

License or Certificate: A valid California Class "C" driver's license. Travel to locations throughout the District may be required.

Desired:

Management experience
Work history in the areas of Agriculture Education, Agriculture Management, Education, Food Systems, or Ag Technology
Grant experience
Experience leading innovation efforts or developing new programs/facilities

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to:

Hear and understand speech at normal levels
Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
Read printed matter and computer screens
Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
Reach in all directions
Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mccd

Required Documentation:

Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
Resume
List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe your leadership efforts and professional experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization.
If applicable, Equivalency Review Form (Required for applicants who do not possess the stated minimum educational qualifications and are seeking consideration on the basis of equivalency) https://www.mccd.edu/about-merced-college/divisions/human-resources/equivalency/

Only the required documentation as listed above will be accepted for this recruitment. Any additional documentation will be removed from your application profile.

Interview Information:

Those applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to appear for oral interviews before a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be invited to interviews. Interviews will be scheduled onsite.
Employee Benefits:
Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee's only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment:
The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.
Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/mccd/jobs/4977035/director-ag-innovation