ABOUT UC MERCED DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL & CONTINUING EDUCATION (PACE):

UC Merced Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) offers access to the university’s academic courses through Open University and provides professional courses in a variety of industry fields (education, business, technology, renewable energy, healthcare, etc.). UC Merced PACE partners with regional community initiatives and organizations to boost economic and social development with a focus on delivering courses in convenient and flexible formats, including fully online, hybrid, in-person, and custom modalities.
UC Merced PACE offers workforce-responsive, non-degree credentials and credential pathways that provide opportunities to upskill and re-skill. We can develop and deliver skills-based, alternative credential programs that align with employer needs and high demand jobs. Alternative credentials are non-degree, professional credit, certificate, stackable, micro-credentials, bootcamps, etc.
In the last year, PACE has introduced over 40-50+ new courses, 5-6 new certificate programs, and enrolled over a 1,000 new unique learners. The division manages an extramural portfolio of over $15 million, including recent awards for FY26 in SkillRISE Project for $700,000 working in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in related field
• 3-5 years of experience managing academic or workforce programs
• Demonstrated experience engaging and working with regional partners, including industry, P-20 institutions, and community-based organizations.
• Ability to travel within the immediate Central Valley region with occasional travel out of state.

Additional qualifications

• Experience with the policies and procedures of the University of California.
• Experience using higher education systems of records, academic and learning management.
• Experience collaborating with partners across the full range of P-20 settings and industry partners.
• Experience creating and delivering surveys and electronic assessments.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree in closely related field.
• Experience designing, managing, and implementing workforce programs.
• Experience conducting market analysis on programs.
• Experience facilitating large convenings, advisory boards, and team meetings.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements
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Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
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Cover Letter
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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 conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 3-5 required (contact information only)
  Help contact: mpierick@ucmerced.edu

• Coordinate the development of new programs or courses, growth and expansion of current programs and courses, evaluation of program and course implementation, the development and growth of partnerships with districts, faculty, staff, students, and other community partners.
• Support the VISTA Farms Food Future (F3) initiative by aligning new program development with regional priorities in agricultural technology, innovation, and workforce development, particularly in support of economic development goals.
• Facilitate curriculum development through curation and convening of Advisory Boards of subject matter experts/practitioners not limited to sectors tied to VISTA F3 focus areas.
• Prepare course, program and digital badge proposals for approval according to academic senate regulations.
• Conduct market research on new course/program ideas with a focus on emerging sectors such as agtech, food systems, and environmental resilience.
• Conduct competitive landscape analysis for new course/program ideas.
• Facilitate implementation of programs and courses for student success.
• Promote and coordinate with the Directors on classes and programs related to VISTA F3 and PACE’s shared strategic vision in agtech, applied innovation and similar fields of study.
• Conduct online and/or face-to-face orientation workshops and information sessions.
• Coordinate customized delivery of programs for international and domestic audiences.
• Conduct outreach to employers and industry stakeholders to foster partnerships that expands opportunities for new and incumbent workforce participation in VISTA F3 aligned and PACE programs and courses.
• Coordinate/facilitate meetings with industry and other partners on workforce development initiatives.
• Outreach to school district and county offices about partnership opportunities for high school student participation, as applicable.
• Schedule courses and assign instructors to course sections.
• Advise learners enrolled in the programs and courses.
• Provide program information to prospective learners.
• Regularly coordinate with PACE and VISTA F3 staff.
• Attend regular meetings with PACE and VISTA F3 Vista teams.
• Participate in accreditation activities including data collection, regular reporting, and program review, as needed.
• Convene instructors annually to review, assess, and revise syllabi as part of continuous improvement efforts.
• Coordinate with Marketing Specialist to develop course and program collateral and the overall marketing strategy.