Assistant Specialist For Vegetable Crops Production and Management, UCCE Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin Counties (25-32)

Job Description

Application Window

Open date: December 10, 2025

Most recent review date: Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a Vegetable Crops Production and Management Assistant Specialist, Represented. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers, educators and support staff dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and (community) health issues. Research, outreach and education from locally based Cooperative Extension offices serves all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the UC System.

Purpose:

The Assistant Specialist for Vegetable Crops Production and Management (1.0 FTE) will assist in all phases of applied vegetable production and management research and extension efforts in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The position will be headquartered at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Stanislaus County office in Modesto, CA and will be additionally responsible for conducting research and extension activities in the northern San Joaquin Valley counties of Merced and San Joaquin per the request of projects. The candidate will also have opportunities to participate in national and statewide collaborative project activities.

The Assistant Specialist will provide independent support of research and extension programming by designing, conducting, and communicating results from applied research projects in locally relevant vegetable crops (watermelon, cole crops, processing tomato, fresh market tomato, and oriental vegetables). The specific activities include designing research trials in both small- and large-scale commercial vegetable fields, creating protocols that guide meaningful measurements of vegetable growth and yield, nitrogen management, taking soil and plant samples following specific study protocols, and conducting lab analysis of plant, soil, and fruit samples. The Assistant Specialist will work primarily on projects focusing on 1) evaluation of nitrogen-fixing and mycorrhizal biostimulants and biofertilizers on Asian vegetable nutrient management among small-scale commercial growers, and 2) optimizing vegetable grafting technology and irrigation management for various vegetable crops using online decision-support tools. Other topics the Specialist may work on involve insect and disease management for vegetable crops. The position will perform a key role in vegetable production and management research activities and lead technicians and seasonal student assistants. The Specialist will leverage expertise in research data collection and summarization, as well as formal statistical analysis, to assist the supervisor/PI in organizing extension and field meetings, conference calls, and other professional activities.

Reporting Relationship: The Assistant Specialist is administratively responsible to the Vegetable Crops Advisor at UCCE Stanislaus County.

Location Headquarters: UCCE Stanislaus County, Modesto, California

Required Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of master's degree or other advanced degrees in disciplines such as Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Irrigation, Soil Science or a closely related field is required by the appointment start date.

• Experience in data analysis using statistical software tools such as R and SAS.
• Experience in applied research on vegetable crops.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing clientele and project needs.

Additional Qualifications

• Must obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals.
• This is not a remote position.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in the areas of applied vegetable production research and extension;
• Evidence of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Knowledge and experience in biostimulants, vegetable nutrient management, and/or irrigation management;
• Experience in building partnerships and working with multidisciplinary teams and small-scale minority growers (e.g., Hmong and Mien) to address production and environmental challenges;
• Experiences in report writing, public speaking, and extension are preferred;

Skills Required

To be successful, the Assistant Specialist requires skills in the following areas:

Technical Competence and Impact
Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions to the research enterprise of the University and to achieve recognition in the professional and scientific community. This will include presenting research results at professional meetings and publishing manuscripts of research results in peer-reviewed journals.

Communication
Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and public speaking communication skills.
Skills to communicate and extend technical information to diverse audiences are required.
Participation in professional societies and conferences and the ability to give presentations at seminars and continuing education functions.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others.
Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.

Lifelong Learning
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement - both professionally and as a person.

Salary & Benefits

SALARY: The salary will be in the Assistant Specialist Rank, from Step 1- $63,500 to Step 3 - $70,700 annually. Step placement in this series is based on experience. This is a represented position.

The Assistant Specialist position is a non-career track position. The position is a two-year term appointment and also eligible with a merit cycle of every two years. Commitment of two years to this position is needed. The performance in the position will be evaluated annually. After two years, extension of the position will be based on continued need, performance and availability of funding.

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 approximately thirteen paid holidays per year.

#How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #25-32).

Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 27, 2026 (open until filled).

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research and Extension - Please submit a Statement of Research and Extension Interests including how your current and/or past research and extension experience could contribute to, or be applicable to, the needs of the local community. Provide examples of potential goals and outcomes from your research and extension activities.
• College Level Transcripts - Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify course work completed, grades earned, degrees conferred and confer dates. Please DO NOT send transcripts that are password protected.
• References - Please provide 3 references including names, titles, emails and phone numbers.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Job location
Modesto, CA