University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Job Description
Position Summary:
Guided by the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Director of Risk and Safety Services and the UC Statewide IPM Director, in close collaboration with the UC Office of the President (UCOP), Office of Risk Services and the UC the Systemwide Pesticide Oversight Committee (SPOC), this role is pivotal in driving the UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy's successful implementation. Key responsibilities encompass the creation, refinement, and delivery of tailored training modules on IPM to ensure UC locations are informed and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. Further, the role coordinates across various UC stakeholders, ensuring that policy interpretations, implementation, and transitions are effective and align with the broader community's goals, which emphasize integrated pest management principles advocating alternative control measures whenever possible to reduce pesticide use and dependency over time with the aim of minimizing risks to humans and ecosystems.
Under the direction of ANR Director of Risk and Safety Services and the UC Statewide IPM Director, in close collaboration with the UCOP Office of Risk Services, provide technical support in implementation of the recommendations of the UC Herbicide Taskforce. This position provides guidance and consultation to the SPOC related to applicable laws and regulations, as well as pesticide applicator and handler training materials and standards. Primary responsibilities include the development of training materials, identification of knowledge expectations and educational content, development of instructional delivery length, format, and language standards, and delivery of instructional training. This position provides consultation and guidance to UC locations on the development and implementation of local integrated pest management programs and plans. This position provides guidance to the UCOP Office of Risk Services in the development of Pesticide Management technology solutions.
Beyond these technical aspects, this position champions the production and revision of diverse IPM training and educational materials, catering to different learning modalities, from online modules to in-person workshops. This role acts as a consistent node of support and guidance to UC locations, assisting them in the strategic adoption and application of local IPM practice. As an integral part of the Statewide IPM Program, the position is also responsible for promoting a culture of continuous learning and engagement in pest management practices and safety.
Department Summary:
Risk and Safety Services (RSS) is a unit within ANR that provides occupational safety, environmental compliance, and risk management activities to ANR academics, staff, volunteers, and program participants. The Director of RSS reports to the Director of Facilities Planning and Management, reporting up to the ANR Associate Vice President for Business Operations.
The Statewide IPM Program is a unit reporting to the UC Vice President for ANR. The unit develops and administers programs in IPM extension through a communications unit and Cooperative Extension advisors developing informational products for print, Web, and a pesticide safety training program.
This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.
The home department is the EH&S / Risk Services. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.
Pay Scale: $77,276.88/year to $108,576.00/year
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/14/26.
Key Responsibilities:
50%
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DELIVERY
- Design and update educational materials on IPM practices, UC policy, pesticide safety, and reduced pesticide strategies in various formats, including online courses, presentations, videos, and in-person learning activities.
- Support online IPM course development, working alongside UC teams for training initiatives and outreach.
- Design and deliver customized training for UC staff on IPM practices, policy requirements, reduced pesticide strategies, and related topics.
- Organize and oversee workshops on pesticide-related topics, managing event logistics and promotions.
- Evaluate training program effectiveness. Design assessments and analyze results. Identify improvements to reach diverse audiences.
- Provide expertise and guidance to the UCOP Office of Risk Services in the development of a centralized, systemwide Pesticide Management technology solution for use by all UC locations.
- Collaborate with software developers and UC stakeholders to identify feature requirements and ensure appropriate workflows for requesting, reviewing, and approving pesticide applications configuration.
- Consult on integrating proper functionality to meet California pesticide use laws and regulations into the technology solution, including capabilities for tracking pesticide applications and generating usage reports.
50%
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION AND PLANNING
- Provide strategic planning and implementation guidance to UC locations to support effective rollout of the new UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy. Conduct needs assessments and develop recommendations, timelines, and milestones tailored to each location.
- Collaborate with diverse UC stakeholders to interpret policy requirements, transition away from pesticide reliance, implement prevention strategies, and foster community engagement.
- Assist UC locations in crafting and implementing local IPM programs and plans. Provide counsel, including onsite consultations, to IPM Coordinators and Committees on local plan execution and urgent pest matters.
- Track UC-wide IPM Policy implementation progress. Identify needs, gaps, barriers, and improvement opportunities. Report key metrics annually.
- Stay updated on the latest in IPM practices, safety guidelines, and relevant research through continuous learning and expert consultation.
- Participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings and activities; make suggestions and provide the feedback necessary to ensure UC IPM is a fair and equitable program.
- Attend trainings and review literature to stay current on pest management practices, safety regulations, and new research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in an area related to chemistry, ecology, ecotoxicology, engineering (e.g., agricultural, environmental), entomology, environmental chemistry, environmental toxicology, land management, pest management, or toxicology.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with a broad range of integrated pest management tactics including biological, cultural, physical, mechanical, and chemical controls.
- Skills in strategic planning, organizational change management, and implementing programs effectively across a large, complex organization with diverse stakeholders.
- In-depth knowledge of integrated pest management principles, pesticide regulations, pesticides, and pesticide application methods for Federal, California, and all state jurisdictions where University of California has campuses or facilities.
- Knowledge of integrated pest management for agricultural, production crops, landscape, playfield, and structural pests.
- Strong analytical and research skills to analyze and review existing outreach or educational materials and to assess needs for and to develop new materials.
- Demonstrated skill and experience in writing about technical subjects for lay audiences for clear understanding at the various levels of target audiences.
- Demonstrated experience in the planning, collaboration, and implementation of multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in written and oral Spanish language.
- Experience with multiple training methods, including hands-on/firsthand activities.
- Experience conducting surveys and using other tools to evaluate programs and analyze collected data.
- Formal training in project management skills which includes (but not limited to) planning work, managing details, keeping multiple tasks/projects on track, collaborating with stakeholders, and navigating ambiguity to deliver results. This may include a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Special Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
- The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
- As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
- As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
- "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucanr/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=88903&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=17&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant