Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management Area Advisor - Serving Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties (AP 22-39)

Position description

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Area Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties. The Advisor will develop an innovative applied research and extension education program that supports Integrated Pest Management in the three-county area.

The IPM Advisor will focus on high-priority pest control issues, including landscape pests (weeds, plant diseases, insects, vertebrates) and pests in and around structures (insects and commensal rodents). The Advisor will work closely with public agency staff, licensed structural and landscape pest management professionals, and other public health and pest control practitioners.

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, 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, adopting new skills, practices, attitudes, and policies, and improved environmental, health, 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 UCCE Solano County at 501 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA, 94533, with frequent office time spent at the UCCE office in Sacramento. The three counties served encompass the UC Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor Unit.

Position Details

The Urban IPM Area Advisor will develop IPM strategies to effectively manage pests in urban areas while protecting public health and the environment. Key clientele include public agency staff, pest management professionals licensed by either the Structural Pest Control Board or the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and members of the general public.

Although pesticide use is commonly attributed to agriculture, about half of the non-water treatment pesticides used in California are applied in urban settings. Pesticides applied in urban and residential settings may result in significant human exposure, and urban pesticide runoff causes higher levels of pesticide contamination of urban surface water resources than agricultural surface water resources. Safe and effective pest management is needed to protect Californians from the negative health impacts of pests and practices used to manage pests in the places where most residents live, work, and play.

Extension and Research

Extension activities will include coordinating with local public agencies, pest management professional groups (such as the California Pest Management Association and Pesticide Applicators Professional Association), the UC IPM Program, and faculty and CE Specialists at the UC Riverside and UC Berkeley Urban Pest Management Centers to develop, implement, and participate in train-the-trainer programs and hands-on workshops for urban pest managers. The Advisor will coordinate or participate in projects that demonstrate IPM practices to local audiences, directly (for example, to landscape and structural pest professionals) or indirectly, through UC Master Gardener Volunteers. In addition, the IPM Advisor will develop information for trade journals and UC ANR educational materials, such as Pest Notes, Quick Tips, and other UC ANR publications.

Research projects will focus on developing IPM programs to address high-priority landscape pests or pests in and around structures. The Urban IPM Area Advisor will be expected to identify local research needs with statewide implications, develop teams to address them, and establish metrics to indicate progress. The expected outcome of the Urban IPM Area Advisor's program will be increased use of IPM practices that improve management of urban pests, address pests of public health significance, reduce unnecessary or unsafe pesticide use, and reduce pesticide contamination of surface water resources. Some ways that success can be measured include change in practices, increased use of IPM strategies, or increased awareness of pesticide safety. The Urban IPM Area Advisor is expected to publish in relevant pest management journals, such as Journal of Integrated Pest Management, Environmental Entomology, and Weed Science.

Counties of Responsibility

This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Solano County office and serves Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties. (The three counties combined are referred to as UCCE Capitol Corridor).

Reporting Relationship

In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Director for the three-county Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor unit and the UC IPM Statewide Director. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters in Fairfield, 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 respective supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in a pest management discipline or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications

• The candidate should have a deep understanding of urban integrated pest management and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact.
• Qualitative skills and experience with experimental design are required.
• Practical experience or training in structural and/or landscape pest management
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams, and implement applied research and outreach programs, including setting measurable goals and objectives
• The Advisor must possess or obtain within one year a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) before applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.
• 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.

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 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.

Desired Experience

• Experience with extension education and outreach.
• Experience in building partnerships and working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with more than one pest discipline.
• The ability to communicate effectively in more than one language is a plus.

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 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 https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/118501.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 #22-39)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 4, 2026 (open until filled).

Questions? Contact Kahla Wallace via kahwallace@ucanr.edu

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• 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 - 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)