"Cooperative Extension Area Weed Science Advisor - Serving Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties (AP 26-03)"

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Weed Science Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties.

The Weed Science Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program to address weed management challenges in the three-county region, including alternatives to glyphosate, the effectiveness of organic weed control methods, herbicide resistance, air and water quality issues related to weed control practices, and the control of invasive weed species.

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 Sonoma County, located at 133 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, California 95403.

Position Details

Weeds are a critical challenge to the regional productivity of agriculture, pasture, and rangelands, and are responsible for significant production losses, management costs, and labor requirements each year. Growers, ranchers, dairy producers, pest control advisors, and the UC Cooperative Extension network need an Area Weed Science Advisor to provide locally relevant expertise to address production efficiency, crop safety, livestock forage, and environmental issues related to sustainable weed management in the region.

This position will take an integrated approach to weed management, encompassing organic and conventional approaches, while serving a broad range of clientele across multiple cropping systems, pasture, and rangeland. In addition to working across a spectrum of weed management practices, the position will develop expertise and deliver information on related topics, including weed identification, invasive plant management, cover crops, and livestock-crop integration, in collaboration with relevant colleagues. The position will also address aquatic weed identification and management in agricultural water sources, such as irrigation ponds and reservoirs.

The advisor will extend science-based information to clientele who grow grapes, olives, apples, and other orchard crops, a variety of specialty crops, and graze livestock on organic and conventional pastures and rangelands. Key clientele groups include agricultural producers, dairy producers, livestock producers, rangeland managers, Pest Control Advisors (PCAs), Agricultural Commissioner office staff, public resource management agency staff (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation Districts, Cal Trans, regional parks), and nonprofit conservation organizations. Collaboration with these groups will identify issues and opportunities to extend information through seminars, workshops, field days, internet resources, and publications, both producer-oriented and peer-reviewed.

The advisor will collaborate with other Cooperative Extension Advisors, Specialists, and clientele to conduct applied research that facilitates the broad implementation of integrated weed management programs across diverse agricultural and grazed landscapes. The advisor's research program will utilize a variety of cultural and mechanical controls, along with emerging technologies, to reduce reliance on herbicides as the sole control tool while stewarding the natural resources that are integral to the sustained health of agricultural and rangeland production systems.

In addition to collaborating with UC colleagues, the advisor will work with external networks, including, but not limited to, the Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Weed Management Areas, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District, the Napa Land Trust, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and private industry.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will serve Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties.

Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Sonoma, Napa, and Marin 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 weed science, plant science, agronomy, crop science, or a related field is required.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in weed management and research
• Skills to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the three-counties served and beyond
• Technical competence in experimental techniques
• The ability to work with a diverse range of clientele
• Must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicators License (QAL) within the first year of appointment.
• 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 are required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a county or university vehicle.
• Applicants must have unrestricted and permanent work authorization in the United States. 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, without additional sponsorship. Internal UC ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.
• 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 crop production and pest management science 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. 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

• Experience in successful extension programming and applied research
• A deep understanding of cropping systems, weed science, and pest management.
• An understanding of and/or strong willingness to learn about weed management in rangeland and pasture systems
• 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: 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 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 interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #26-03). 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 March 31, 2026 - (Open until filled)

Questions? Contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research - Statement of Research and Extension
  Please submit a 2-page 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 provide 3 references: names, titles and contact information.
• College Level Transcripts - Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify course work completed, grades earned, degrees conferred and confer dates. Please DO NOT send transcripts that are password protected.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)
• 3 required; 2 optional (5 total)