Partner Opportunities Program (POP)

POP client Katie Bone, her husband and child on the beach smiling.
“The opportunity to work with the POP program has been an incredible gift. The POP team has provided me with thoughtful and generous support and guidance in my job search with UC Davis as we prepare to move there for my partner's new position in the Physics Department. From the minute my partner received his job offer, I could tell that UC Davis would warmly welcome and support our entire family; the POP program is a perfect example of that. Other universities seemed interested in him, but overlooked the family that would be coming with him. At UC Davis, and through POP, I have felt as welcomed and supported in our move as he has been. I couldn't thank the POP team enough for their time and their thoughtful, open and supportive approach.” Katie Bone, POP and CRN Client, Communications Professional
POP Client Arifun Najar sitting on a couch, wearing a polka dot blouse in a modern space.
“I am truly grateful to the CRN & POP. They helped me to prepare for jobs, they provided relevant powerful resources, guided me in updating my resume and preparing for interviews. In addition, due to some family issues I couldn’t complete tasks within the approved timeframe, and they generously extended our time together and supported me until I succeeded. I thank the CRN & POP team. Your support was incredible. I wish all the best to the CRN & POP, keep up your good work. Once again thank you!”- Arifun Nahar, POP Client

What is the Partner Opportunities Program?

Under the direction of the Vice Provost—Academic Affairs, the UC Davis Partner Opportunities Program (POP) is a service designed to support departments and deans offices in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty, senior administrators and leadership positions by assisting their partners and spouses in seeking employment at UC Davis.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is limited to the partners/spouses of prospective or current full-time Academic Senate faculty (with a minimum 50% faculty appointment in the ladder rank professorial series), all ranks in the Professor of Teaching Series as well as the Specialists in Cooperative Extension Series (Professors of CE), Deans, Faculty Administrators and members of the Senior Management Group.

How are POP Services Initiated?

POP services may be requested by contacting the Department Chair. If approved at the department level, the department initiates a POP request that is routed for additional approval through the Dean of the school or college, and the Office of Academic Affairs. Once approved by the Vice Provost—Academic Affairs, the POP program may then provide assistance to the prospective or current UC Davis faculty member’s partner/spouse. Introductory POP meetings may be scheduled while approval is pending.

To initiate a POP request, please visit our electronic forms site, here.

What Can POP Provide?

Once a POP request is approved, the partner/spouse becomes a POP client and is eligible to receive support services. These services typically include assistance with exploring employment opportunities at UC Davis, identifying career goals, and learning about available job openings. POP can also help the client facilitate professional connections and arrange informational meetings. While POP provides guidance and resources throughout the job search process, it cannot guarantee employment, job placement, or the successful resolution of employment-related issues.

Interested In Hiring a POP Client?

In addition to receiving outreach from the POP Manager, UC Davis departments, schools, and colleges interested in hiring a Partner Opportunities Program (POP) client into a crafted position that has not yet been publicly posted, and receiving full program benefits, can review the “Available Clients” tab within the POP database. Departments and schools/colleges with access to the POP database can view the “Available Clients” tab through the Electronic Form Submission tool located here (scroll down to Partner Opportunities Program and select POP Request). Please click here for what you can expect to see. The “Available Clients” tab contains brief, non-identifying biographies of current POP clients who are actively seeking employment at UC Davis. These profiles allow hiring units to determine whether a client's skills, experience, and qualifications align with current or anticipated hiring needs. If you identify a client you would like to learn more about, please contact POP Manager Amanda Vice at [email protected] to request the client's résumé or CV, schedule an informational meeting, or discuss the POP hiring process.

Are There Other Resources?

There is an array of information, resources and programs available to UC Davis employees to address areas related to work life integration (HR Work Life and Wellness). As a UC Davis faculty member, there are specific programs that address work life interests.  For more information visit: (https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/work-life). 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am being recruited for a faculty position and my partner needs employment. What should I do?
  • The following titles are eligible for POP services: Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment Lecturer with Security of Employment Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment Cooperative Extension Specialist Dean Faculty Administrator Senior Management Group. If you will be appointed to an eligible title, begin by contacting the Department Chair or hiring manager to request POP services.  Your request is reviewed by the department and if approved, routed to the Dean of the college or school.  Final approval resides with the Vice Provost—Academic Affairs.
  • If I am approved for POP services, will my partner/spouse be guaranteed a position?
  • The POP program cannot guarantee employment. POP can help clients by examining career interests, suggesting transferable linkages between prior experience and university positions, arranging informational interviews, and promoting POP applications to hiring managers.  The POP program may also make recommendations related to training/professional development and career counseling.
  • Can an approved POP client defer POP services?
  • POP services may be requested on a deferred basis or suspended up to 2 years from when the POP request was approved, but only on an exception basis by the Vice Provost.  This may occur when a partner/spouse is not relocating immediately or seeking employment at the time the POP request is approved.
  • How long can a POP client expect to receive assistance?
  • Once POP services are initiated, clients are generally eligible for POP services for up to 12 months from the date services commence.
  • What do I need to know if I am coming to UC Davis from another country?
  • For international clients, eligibility to work is contingent upon visa status. The POP program can facilitate a referral to Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) to assist in determining the eligibility of the client for employment:  https://siss.ucdavis.edu/.
  • What if my spouse/partner is interested in non-university/external employment?
  • When looking for employment opportunities outside of UC Davis and around the Capital region we recommend utilizing popular search engines such as Indeed and LinkedIn and also referencing the Greater Sacramento Economic Council to check out growing industries and companies to look for jobs directly on their websites.
  • I'm not eligible for POP services. Are there web resources for finding jobs in the area?
  • Yes, the web links below provide information about academic and staff employment opportunities both on campus and at other educational institutions: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/;www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp;www.hercjobs.org/northern_california
  • Where can I find general information about the Davis area?
  • Useful resources include: UC Davis Front Door:  https://frontdoor.ucdavis.edu/;City of Davis: http://cityofdavis.org/;City of Woodland: http://www.cityofwoodland.org/;City of Sacramento:  http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/;City of Dixon:  http://www.ci.dixon.ca.us/;City of Vacaville:  http://www.ci.vacaville.ca.us/

Partner Opportunities Program (POP) Brochure

*We are currently working on making our site more accessible. Please reach out if you have any specific needs or questions.

Contact Information

For additional information about the POP program, please contact:

Amanda Vice                                                               
Manager- Partner Opportunities Program (POP)                       
Office of the Vice Provost- Academic Affairs           
University of California, Davis                                    
One Shields Ave                                                         
Davis, CA 95616-8501                                                
Phone: (530) 752-7071                                               
Email: [email protected]