Cooperative Extension Viticulture and Tree Fruit Area Advisor - Serving Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties (AP 25-28)

Job Description

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Viticulture and Tree Fruit Area Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties. The Advisor will develop an innovative applied research and extension education program focused on viticulture (wine grapes) and pomological crops (oil olives, pears, and other minor fruit crops) across the three-county area.

The Viticulture and Tree Fruit Area Advisor will provide leadership on critical issues impacting the area's wine grape and tree fruit industries, including climate adaptation strategies, pest management practices, production efficiency, sustainability improvements, and labor-saving technological innovations. The Advisor will work closely with local growers, commodity and grower groups such as local wine grape grower associations, and Farm Bureaus. They will develop collaborative teams with other UC ANR academics, including UCCE Advisors and Specialists, to address priority issues for clientele and UC ANR.

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 educational practices that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities, increasing 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, including newsletters, popular press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications.

Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding, the adoption of 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 Sacramento County office at 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA. The three counties served encompass the UC Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor Unit.

Position Details

The wine grape and olive industries have become significant contributors to the three-county area economy over the past decade, while pears have remained a steady contributor with deep historical roots. The Capitol Corridor now contains 15 American Viticultural Areas, and its wine grape acreage has increased 50% in the last decade, growing to 61,000 acres from 39,000 in 2010. Simultaneously, wine grape values have increased 90%, and remain the highest grossing commodity in Sacramento County, the second highest in Solano, and the fifth in Yolo. Olive production in the three-county area has grown from almost zero acres in 2010 to 8,300 acres, producing oil valued at $14 million as of 2022.

Despite the growth in acreage and high value of these crops, along with significant infrastructure investments in the region, such as the construction of new wineries and olive mills, climate change threatens these industries in multiple ways, including warmer winters with decreased chilling hours, shifting pest and disease pressures, variable rainfall, and extreme weather events. These factors increase risk and uncertainty for growers but also create opportunities for innovation. By conducting applied research and providing science-based information to wine grape and tree fruit growers, the Advisor will drive innovation, increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of these industries in the region.

Extension.

The Advisor is expected to develop an innovative and engaging extension program, including direct collaboration with farmers through farm visits, workshops, field days, short courses, commodity meetings, and farmer-to-farmer learning networks, as well as a robust online/electronic presence to amplify reach. Key clientele includes existing and prospective growers of focal crops, as well as minor fruit crops such as cherries and apples, as needed. Other clientele are processors (wineries, packinghouses, olive mills) and associated service professionals such as certified crop advisers and irrigation management consultants. The Advisor will collaborate with a wide variety of regional industry groups, including the CA Pear Advisor Board and the CA Olive Council, as well as local Farm Bureaus, Agricultural Commissioners, and other relevant governmental and non-profit organizations.

Research.

Key areas of potential research for this Advisor include innovative crop-specific approaches to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact for conventional and organic production. These might include labor-saving technologies (mechanization, plant bio-regulators, cultural practices), horticultural management and efficiencies (spacing, training, pruning, canopy management, harvest), rootstock and variety selection, cultural practices to mitigate effects of climate change and extreme weather, nutrient management, and pest and disease management. The Advisor is expected to publish in relevant peer-reviewed journals, such as the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, trade journals like American Vineyard Magazine and Progressive Crop Consultant, as well as UCCE publications.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Sacramento 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. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters in Sacramento 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 by the respective supervisor upon hire.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in viticulture, pomology, horticulture, plant physiology, crop science, agroecology, or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications
A demonstrated ability in applied agricultural research and extension is required.
General knowledge of crop production, including soil, water, fertility, and pest management
Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series per the UC Academic Personnel Manuals https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/academic-personnel-policy/appointment-and-promotion/index.html. Applications need to document research, extension, and/or teaching experience applicable to the academic title and document appropriate scholarly achievements relevant to this position.
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 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.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf

Desired Experience
Relevant experience with viticulture and/or pomology
Experience working for or with growers
Experience in building partnerships and working with multidisciplinary teams
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://ucanrpolicy.ellucid.com/pman/documents/view/122/active/

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

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 - 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)

Job location
Sacramento, CA