Job Description

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor at the Assistant Rank to serve Imperial and Riverside Counties. The advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program that will focus on biology, ecology and management of weeds of agricultural importance in the lower desert cropping areas.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges and needs. Extension activities are the educational practices advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research results to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, 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, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals.

Location Headquarters: University of California Cooperative Extension Office in Imperial County, located at Holtville, California.

Position Details

The Advisor will develop applied weed management research locally and in partnerships with collaborators. It is expected that applied research will cover the low desert agricultural areas of Imperial and Riverside Counties, including the Imperial, Coachella, and Palo Verde valleys, which produce more than 100 crop commodities year-round. Low desert commodities and cropping systems include a diverse mix of agronomic crops (alfalfa, wheat, sugar beet, sudangrass, Rhodes grass, Bermuda and Klein grasses, and oilseed crops) and various vegetable and specialty crops.

The research is expected to address weed management techniques and practices, which may include weed biology, ecology, and other weed management techniques. The low desert crops are infested with various weeds, including noxious, invasive and weeds resistant to herbicides. Weed management research programs will be developed and carried out in collaboration with UC ANR academics and appropriate statewide efforts, including UC ANR Program Teams and Workgroups, local stakeholders, and other collaborating industries in Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Local collaboration on agronomic and vegetable crop production, livestock, waste management research and development and delivery of science-based information will be addressed in the Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor position. The Advisor is expected to collaborate with other Cooperative Extension (CE) and Agricultural Extension Stations (AES) researchers and educators to conduct research and education programs that address the issues within weed management and related disciplines. The advisor will be supported by CE and AES specialists and researchers at UC Davis, UC Riverside and UC Berkley departments including Agronomy and Plant Science, and pest management programs at UC Davis.

The Advisor will also collaborate with USDA ARS scientists, agencies, community groups, neighboring state agricultural agents and specialists, relevant community colleges and state universities.

Science-based research results and other educational information will be disseminated using a variety of methods including individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations, UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, newsletters, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, and an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools (such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools), along with specialized and public media outlets. The advisor will collaborate with the local advisors in organizing education extension events and workshops.

Key clientele will include commercial farms (both large and small), pest control advisers, allied industries, commodity groups, seed companies, conservation/environmental groups, public agencies, and consumers. The growing home gardening activity in Imperial and Riverside Counties may create an opportunity to cover urban and gardening clientele.

Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in Imperial County and will serve Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area County Director for Imperial and San Diego Counties with input from the UCCE Riverside County Director. This is not a remote position; the advisor must be available to work onsite at the headquarter location and travel to and be present in other assigned counties with programmatic responsibilities.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

• Education: At the time of appointment, a minimum of a master's degree in weed science, agronomy, botany, or a related field is required.
• Knowledge and experience in crop production and weed management or a related field.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed and has proof of liability and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain within one year a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.

Additional Skills Required

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. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, and teaching experience and appropriate scholarly achievements. Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UCANR / 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 work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR. Lifelong Learning: Advisors are expected to evolve and grow throughout their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational structure.

Desired Experiences

Experience in successful Extension programming or community development, deep understanding of agronomy and weed management and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with industry and other stakeholders. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted. Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and extend knowledge accordingly.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($82,900) to Step VI ($105,200). 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.

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 interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #24-24). Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by June 25, 2025 (Open until filled).

Questions? Contact Kahla Wallace at kahwallace@ucanr.edu and Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu.

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