"Cooperative Extension Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor Serving Imperial and Riverside Counties (24-24)"

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 serving Imperial and Riverside Counties.

The Weed Management Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on biology, ecology, and management of weeds of agricultural importance in the lower desert cropping systems of Imperial and Riverside Counties. Low desert commodities and cropping systems include a diverse mix of agronomic crops (alfalfa, wheat, Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, bermudagrass, Kleingrass, and oilseed crops) as well as various cool-season vegetable and specialty crops. Working closely with collaborators, including local growers, UCCE Advisors and Specialists, and other partners, the Advisor will develop strategies for controlling weeds and disseminate information on effective management practices.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for conducting applied research and extending knowledge. Research activities are applied and mission-oriented, focused on addressing challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational methods that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities, increasing knowledge and understanding of science-based research that promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve local problems. Extension activities may include individual farm consultations, presentations, or organizing educational workshops, short courses, and field demonstrations. Information may also be disseminated through various channels, such as radio, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, social media, and other outlets. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, articles for the popular press, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals.

Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding, and eventual adoption of new skills or practices, changed attitudes or policies, and improved environmental, economic, or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: 1) extending knowledge, 2) applied research and creative activity, 3) professional competence and activity, and 4) university and public service.

Location Headquarters

This position will be headquartered in the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Imperial County, located at 1050 E. Holton Road, Holtville, California, 92250.

Position Details

Low desert agricultural production areas in Southeastern California are dynamic, diverse, and challenging. They encompass some of the state's most productive areas due to their mild winters, extended growing seasons, and access to irrigation water. Crop planting and harvesting cycles reflect the arid nature of the Southwest and differ substantially from those in the rest of California. Accordingly, it is important that agricultural production information be locally generated. Weed management is a critical area for applied research in this unique growing area. 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 commodities year-round.

Research is expected to address weed management practices, including weed biology, ecology, and other weed management techniques. Low desert crops are infested with various weeds, including noxious and invasive weeds, as well as those 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. The Advisor is expected to collaborate with other Cooperative Extension (CE) and Agricultural Experiment 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 Berkeley. Additionally, the Advisor will also collaborate with USDA ARS scientists, community groups, neighboring state agricultural agents and specialists, relevant community colleges, and state universities. Partnering/collaborating with local agencies, County of Imperial Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures, County of Riverside Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures, Imperial Weed Management Area (WMA) groups, Low Desert WMA groups, and California Invasive Plant Council is also encouraged.

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 other local UCCE Advisors to organize educational 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 popularity of home gardening in Imperial and Riverside Counties may create an opportunity to reach urban and gardening clientele.

The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content and make a difference within local communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is limitless.

Counties of Responsibility

This position will serve Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Reporting Relationship

In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Director for Imperial and San Diego Counties, with input from the Director of UC Cooperative Extension for Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. This is not a remote position; the advisor must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in the other assigned county. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective supervisors.

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.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in crop production and weed management or a related field.
• 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.
• Capacity or potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with the values of UCANR.
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series UC Academic Personnel Manuals.
• 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 to drive a county or university vehicle.
• 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.
• This is not a remote position.

Additional Skills Required

• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
• Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts of weed ecology and weed management science 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
• A deep understanding of agronomy and weed management
• 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

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

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.

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). 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 February 6, 2026 - (Open until filled)

Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu

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.
• References - Please submit a page of 3-5 references with contact information (include phone # and email address)
• College Level Transcripts - Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify coursework completed, grades earned, degrees conferred, and confer dates. Please DO NOT send transcripts that are password protected.

• 3-6 required (contact information only)