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

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.

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 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). Specific activities include designing research trials, creating protocols, taking soil and plant samples, and conducting lab analysis. Primary projects focus on 1) evaluation of nitrogen-fixing and mycorrhizal biostimulants and biofertilizers on Asian vegetable nutrient management, and 2) optimizing vegetable grafting technology and irrigation management.

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

• Minimum of master's degree in Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Irrigation, Soil Science or related field.
• Experience in data analysis using R and SAS.
• Experience in applied research on vegetable crops.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Qualifications

• Must obtain Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License.
• Not remote; no visa sponsorship.
• Valid CA Driver's License required.

Desired Qualifications

• Excellence in applied vegetable production research and extension.
• Peer-reviewed publications.
• Knowledge in biostimulants, nutrient/irrigation management.
• Experience with small-scale minority growers.

Salary & Benefits

SALARY: $63,500 - $70,700 annually. Two-year term appointment.

Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, vacation, sick leave, holidays.

How to Apply

Visit https://recruit.ucanr.edu/JPF00364 (position #25-32). Full consideration by January 27, 2026.

Document requirements: CV, Cover Letter, Statement of Research and Extension, Transcripts, 3 References.