"Area Orchard Systems Advisor (Almond, Pistachio, Peaches, Apricots) AP 24 -26"

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Area Orchard Systems Advisor, serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The successful candidate will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program that will focus on almonds and pistachios in Stanislaus County and peaches and apricots in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Disciplinary focus will be on orchard production systems, nutrient management, pest management, water efficiency, and soil fertility and health.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and the extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with their clientele and communities.

Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Office in Stanislaus County, located at 3800 Cornucopia Way, #A, Modesto, CA 95358.

Position Details

The Area Orchard Systems Advisor will support the ANR Public Values of 'Promoting economic prosperity in California' through increases in agriculture efficiency and profitability; 'Protecting California's natural resources' by improving land management, soil quality, agricultural sustainability, water quality, and water use efficiency; and 'Building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems' by increasing resilience to extreme weather and climate change by improving water resiliency with on-farm practices such as groundwater recharge and recycling water and biomass.

The advisor will develop an applied research program to address critical issues facing orchard crops. These include irrigation and fertigation efficiency, rootstock and variety evaluation, cropping efficiency, overcoming salt and soil chemistry challenges, soil health and cover cropping, invasive disease epidemics and use of plant growth regulators to help overcome issues related to climate change. Priorities may include fruit harvest mechanization to address labor shortages, canopy size and structure to facilitate harvest efficiency, and fertilization strategies to optimize fruit size, yield, and quality.

Counties of Responsibility: Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Stanislaus County Director with input from the San Joaquin County Director. It is not a remote position.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

• Education: A minimum of a master's degree related to pomology, horticulture, plant science, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications

• The candidate should be able to develop and integrate all aspects of crop production to promote sustainability, profitability, and environmental stewardship.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.
• Experience in conducting applied research in agriculture, horticulture or natural resources.
• Experience delivering educational and outreach programming.
• Experience in program and/or personnel management.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• This is not a remote position.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($108,600). Salary scales.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. UC Benefits.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/JPF00342 and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #24-26).

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 3, 2026 - (Open until filled).

Questions? Contact Mikyla Perez; email: mikperez@ucanr.edu.

Application Window

Open date: October 30, 2025

Most recent review date: Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)