"Cooperative Extension Area Vegetable Crops Advisor - Serving Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, and Butte Counties (26-01)"

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Vegetable Crops Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, and Butte counties.

The Area Vegetable Crops Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on field research and outreach for the major vegetable commodities of the Sacramento Valley, primarily processing tomatoes, but also cucurbits and vine seed production. Additionally, they will serve as a resource and answer questions related to other specialty vegetable crops. The advisor will dedicate at least 25% of their time to developing and evaluating organic production practices useful for certified organic (CO) systems and for sustainable farms outside of CO programs. Working closely with collaborators, including local growers, UCCE Advisors and Specialists, agencies, and other partners, the advisor will support farmers' progress toward the 2023 Sustainable Pest Management roadmap from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Key clientele include vegetable crop growers, farm managers, pest control advisers, agricultural commissioners and their staff, and Resource Conservation Districts.

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, popular press articles, 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 based at the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Colusa County, located at 100 Sunrise Boulevard, Colusa, California 95932.

Position Details

This position will support processing tomato production, a vital economic driver in Sacramento Valley counties, as well as biological pest management practices in the area's vegetable production. With the focus on sustainable pest management outlined by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, growers will need to pivot more toward biological materials and approaches for pest management in vegetable crops, including processing tomatoes. Plant pathology expertise is especially needed, based on clientele requests.

The focus for this advisor will include:

• Helping to support and sustain the processing tomato industry in the Sacramento Valley in the face of climate change and a regulatory environment demanding more biological pest management.
• Helping keep annual cropping systems as viable alternatives to perennial orchards in the region. This sustains agricultural businesses while allowing more flexible water management/allocation.
• Extending information to growers of various scales on a variety of vegetable crops.

Research is expected to address critical stakeholder needs in the region, including disease, insect, and weed management in processing tomatoes. Biological and cultural approaches to pest management will be a priority, given the State of California's 2023 Sustainable Pest Management plan to 'transition away from high-risk pesticides toward adoption of safer, sustainable pest control practices.' Advisors typically carry out research in collaboration with other UC ANR academics, local stakeholders, and collaborating industries.

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 and CE Specialists to organize educational extension events and workshops.

In addition to collaborating with UC ANR colleagues, the advisor will work with external networks, including the California Tomato Research Institute, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, the California Association of Pest Control Advisers, and Western Region Certified Crop Advisors.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will serve Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, and Butte counties.

Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, and Butte 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 counties. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined by the supervisor upon hire.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: At the time of appointment, a minimum of a master's degree in horticulture, plant science, pest management, or a related field is required.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in vegetable crop production, pest management, or a related field.
• Capacity or potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with the values of UC ANR.
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series per the 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.
• Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.
• A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.
• 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 in vegetable crop production and pest management to design and implement a program that leads to positive change and impact within the community and beyond.
• Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. Ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
• 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

• Demonstrated experience in successful extension programming and applied research
• A deep understanding of vegetable crop production and pest management
• Experience with biological approaches to pest management and crop production
• Experience with organic production practices and sustainable farming systems
• Experience in building partnerships and working with multidisciplinary teams
• Bilingual in Spanish or another language common in the region served

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: salary scales.

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.

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. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #26-01). 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 March 16, 2026- (open until filled)

Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce via 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.

Reference requirements 3-6 required (contact information only)