» Jobs » Integrated Pest Management Entomology Advisor with University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources in Pariler, CA

Integrated Pest Management Entomology Advisor with University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources in Pariler, CA

Posted on April 12, 2013

Type of position	Academic career-track
Employer	University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description of Employer	The UC ANR Strategic Vision guides priorities in research, education, service, and resource allocation. ANR envisions a thriving California in 2025 where healthy people and communities, healthy food systems, and healthy environments are strengthened by a close partnership between the University of California and its research and extension programs and the people of the state. The University remains connected and committed to the people of California, who enjoy a high quality of life, a healthy environment, and economic success in a global economy. http://ucanr.edu/About_ANR/Strategic_Vision/ Our Culture: Working at UC ANR offers a career with a history and a future. Since the first Advisors were hired in California almost 100 years ago, we have maintained our central purpose as stewards, problem-solvers, catalysts, collaborators, and educators. Academics in UC ANR enjoy a network of colleagues across our system of local offices, statewide programs, 3 colleges and 1 professional school in the UC system. Our culture is characterized by collaboration and entrepreneurship in a vibrant working environment. New academic staff are mentored and supported by this network of colleagues
Location	Pariler, CA
Description of Location	Kearney Agricultural and Research Center, the headquarters for this position, is located in Fresno County in the southern portion of the Great Central Valley of California. The San Joaquin Valley is home to pistachios, almonds, walnuts, stone fruits and grape production. The primary counties where activity is expected to occur include Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced and Stanislaus Counties. Please refer to the following website for more information regarding UC Statewide IPM Program: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu
Salary	Beginning salary will be in the Cooperative Extension Assistant Advisor Rank and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California, ANR website: http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel/_files/1112/table28.pdf
Benefits	The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. A variety of health and dental insurance plans are available, with employer contributions to the premiums. In addition, the University provides basic life and disability insurance, which may be supplemented at group rates. Workers’ Compensation Insurance is provided. An excellent UC Retirement System is coordinated with social security, and optional annuity plans may supplement retirement. Automobile insurance is available. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu
Closing date of competition	5/31/13
Date position available	TBD
Description of duties	JOB DESCRIPTION: BACKGROUND: The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), a statewide program with local development and delivery, is seeking an academic advisor to conduct a multi-county-based extension, education and applied research program. The main focus of this position is the development and implementation of IPM practices related to entomology issues in nuts, fruits, and vines primarily in the San Joaquin Valley. The candidate should be able to develop and integrate all aspects of an IPM program to promote sustainability, profitability, food safety, and environmental stewardship. NATURE AND PURPOSE: Working primarily with local Farm Advisors, Pest Control Advisers and IPM professionals in the San Joaquin Valley, the Advisor will provide leadership in promoting IPM through research, training and extension activities. The IPM Advisor will conduct applied field and lab research designed to manage insect pests using practices that protect the ecosystem. Key to the position is the development of extension outreach methodologies that lead to adoption of practices which reduce the risk of pests and pest management practices to the farmer, the food supply, people and the environment. The IPM Advisor will be supported by the UC IPM Program through interactions with other IPM Advisors, professional staff and outreach networks. The Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center will provide office space, lab space and experimental land; and other UC Research and Extension Centers in the area are available as well. Local CE County Offices provide additional meeting locations, and CE personnel offer opportunities for mentoring, collaboration, and extension expertise. This position addresses the intensity and scope of permanent crop agriculture (tree/vine) and the unique environmental issues and increased urban interface with agriculture. The Advisor will operate in an area with a wide variety of stone fruits (nectarines, peaches, plums), nut crops (almonds, pistachios, walnuts) and grapes (table, wine and raisin). In many of these crops, arthropods play a key role in the composition of existing IPM systems. IPM programs in these critical food systems are dynamic and require continual review and revision, due to: threats from invasive and endemic pests changes in production practices, market demands, and market access shifts in pest control products and resistance management increased regulation due to risks posed by pest and pest management activities to human and environmental health export markets requiring mitigation of pests to meet phytosanitary laws, but which can disrupt existing IPM It is also important to engage nonagricultural audiences to increase understanding of the complexity of managing pests while maintaining food security and safety. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Conduct and report regular needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the local clientele groups being served. Develop and implement effective UC ANR Cooperative Extension applied research and educational programs to address the identified priority needs of the clientele that are consistent with ANR’s Strategic Vision and ANR initiatives http://ucanr.edu/files/906.pdf. Conduct applied research designed to monitor changes and solve locally relevant problems. Disseminate useful, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation. Maintain and promote Cooperative Extension’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge and skills independent of personal or parochial interests. Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts to scientific and lay audiences. Develop collaborative teams with other UC ANR academics, campus-based specialists and faculty and/or others, to address priority issues for UC ANR.
Qualifications sought	EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A minimum of a Master’s degree in Entomology or Integrated Pest Management is required, though more advanced degrees in these disciplines are encouraged. An educational background and/or work experience in pest management crop production and plant health is preferred. A demonstrated ability in applied agricultural research and extension of information is desirable. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are required. Extension experience is desirable. The IPM Entomology Advisor must obtain a California Pesticide Applicator Certificate or License prior to applying or supervising any pesticide application.
Contact for additional information	UC ANR Academic Personnel Unit Julie Woodworth 530-754-8509 jwoodworth@ucanr.edu
Application procedure	HOW TO APPLY: Visit http://ucanr.edu/IPMadvisor, read the full job description and download the application. To be considered, applicants must electronically submit the following four components of the Application Packet to ANRacademicsearch@ucop.edu: Cover Letter ANR Academic Application Form- from the ANR website at: http://ucanr.edu/academicapplication CV or Resume Legible photocopies of original university transcripts.

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