"Cooperative Extension Area Citrus and Pistachio Advisor - Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties (AP 25-26)"

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Environmental (UCCE) Area Citrus and Pistachio Advisor serving Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties at the Assistant rank. The Advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program that supports the citrus industry in the three-county area and the pistachio industry in Kern County.

The Advisor will develop a problem-solving and educational program for high-priority production issues related to climate and drought resilience in citrus and pistachios, including warmer temperatures, decreased water availability, and decreased water quality. Research and extension solutions may include rootstock and cultivar selection, irrigation and soil management, and emerging innovative farming practices. Additionally, the incumbent will work on horticultural solutions to production challenges in both crops, integrating research and expertise from colleagues in agricultural engineering, irrigation, plant pathology, and entomology to address concerns such as limited and increasingly expensive inputs (labor, water, nutrients, etc.), the threat of huanglongbing disease (HLB), and other emerging pests and diseases.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, and mission-oriented, focusing on addressing the challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational practices that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research that supports and promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organizing educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm visits, and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and university and public service.

Location Headquarters

The position will be headquartered at the Tulare County Cooperative Extension Office, located at 4437 S. Lapina Street, Tulare, California, 93274.

Position Details

Sustaining citrus production in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties is critical to the area's 1,800 citrus growers, many of whom are small-scale family farmers. The region represents 70% of California citrus production, adding $6.3 billion to the area's economy, including more than 15,000 jobs. The pistachio industry is similarly important for the state and region, with 27% of the state's pistachio yield resulting in $1.7 billion in economic output and 14,900 jobs. Citrus and pistachio are the ideal high-value "climate-smart" crops that will sustain rural agricultural economies in the warmer, drier decades to come. However, both crops face challenges that require local, on-the-ground, research-based solutions. The Advisor will conduct applied research on topics relevant to the citrus and pistachio industries, based on a clientele needs assessment and the Advisor's expertise. Examples of potential research topics include:

• Cultivar and variety development
• High-density training systems and mechanical harvesting
• Improved management of water resources in the face of increased drought and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
• Strategies to improve the HLB resilience of citrus trees through improved plant nutrition, irrigation management, use of plant growth regulators, and resistant cultivars and rootstocks
• Climate-smart practices for pistachios, including innovations in cultivars and rootstocks, dormancy manipulation, and irrigation technology.

Research objectives should emphasize the development of orchard systems that conserve resources in compliance with state air and water regulations. Research results and knowledge are expected to be published in various UC ANR series, technical sheets, commodity board reports, and peer-reviewed journals.

The Advisor will conduct outreach to provide science-based information through workshops, field meetings, webinars, newsletters, industry and media outlets, phone calls, and online and social media tools, as appropriate for the target audiences. Extension efforts will need to cover basic information for small acreage and new growers, as well as cutting-edge information for more experienced growers.

In this highly collaborative role, the Advisor will work with UC ANR Program Teams, UCCE Specialists, and others in the UC ANR network, as well as external partners such as growers, industry organizations such as California Citrus Mutual and the American Pistachio Growers, and local farm bureaus.

Counties of Responsibility: This position has programmatic responsibilities for citrus production in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties, and pistachio production in Kern County.

Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location in Tulare, CA, and travel to and be present in all three counties served. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in horticulture, pomology, crop physiology, agroecology, plant nutrition, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications: Experience in conducting applied, impact-oriented research on topics relevant to this position. Capacity or potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with the values of UCANR. 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.

Additional Skills Required: Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and provide evidence of success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications also need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements. Interest in and desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension. Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to collaborate as a team member with key external stakeholders, county-based staff, and other colleagues within UC ANR. Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that Advisors evolve and grow across their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational structure. 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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

Desired Experience: Experience in building partnerships and multidisciplinary teams. Experience fostering climate change mitigation through partnerships and collaborations. Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams, and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives. Experience seeking and securing extramural funding. Spanish language skills.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($108,600). Step placement in the Advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-01/406198.pdf. If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position without change to the candidate's current rank, step, salary and/or appointment terms, and if applicable, is eligible to retain indefinite status.

This position is eligible for indefinite status following three successful reviews and subject to terms noted in UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM).

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. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of the University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position 25-26). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process. Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by September 30, 2025 (Open until filled). Questions? Contact Katie Kilbane, email: klkilbane@ucanr.edu. Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu and the UC ANR Green Card Sponsorship Guidelines & FAQ's for reference.

Application Requirements: Document requirements: Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, Statement of Research, References, College Level Transcripts.