Vegetable Crops Advisor with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in Woodland, CA

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide program with local development and delivery, is seeking a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor for vegetable crops.

Location Headquarters:  UCCE Yolo office, Woodland, CA

Purpose. The Vegetable Crops Advisor will implement an innovative and effective extension education and applied research program to address issues related to sustainability, resiliency, innovation, and profitability of vegetable production in the target counties.

This position offers the opportunity to address a myriad of issues related to water use efficiency, nutrient management, pest management, organic production, farm sustainability, and whole-farm management.  Tomatoes remain a major crop in the region, but other vegetables will be included in the program activity as needed.  

This position is well-positioned to integrate ANR’s research and extension education efforts to vegetable growers, pest control advisors and related agricultural industry to improve the competitiveness, profitability, and resilience of vegetable production systems across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts to local clientele and throughout California.

Opportunities abound for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and partnerships, including the California Tomato Growers Association, California Tomato Research Institute, California League of Food Processors, local county Farm Bureaus, California Association of Pest Control Advisors including local chapters, CA Garlic and Onion Research Advisory Board, CA Pepper Commission, Processing Tomato Advisory Board, and the California Melon Research Board. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the agricultural communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless. Some collaboration with the small farm’s advisor and office colleagues may be beneficial.

Counties of Responsibility.  This position will be headquartered in the CE Yolo County Office, and the geographic area includes Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties (known as the Capital Corridor Multi-County Partnership).

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor County Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in horticulture, plant physiology, crop science, agronomy or related field is required at the time of appointment. 

Additional Requirements

• Valid California driver’s license.
• Expectation to be available to work onsite on any UCCE workday
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.

Desired Experience

• Vegetable crop experience and a demonstrated understanding of soil science, nutrient and pest management, and irrigation.
• Passion and desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
• Experience in building partnerships and with multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in field trial design, data collection, and analysis
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, work independently, participate in a team, manage teams and implement applied research, extension, and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives including reporting results to the local clientele audience.
• Organic production for large-scale commercial producers may become more important in the near future.
• Spanish language proficiency is desirable.

Skills Required

To be successful, the CE Advisor requires skills in the following area:

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should have an understanding of agricultural production and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the local vegetable crop clientele and beyond. The expectation is the advisor grows and evolves across their career to respond to changes in local clientele and industry needs. 

Communication

Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal and information technology communication skills.  Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of this position. 

Demonstrated ability to extend complex information in a manner tailored to the audience in both written and oral formats.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with cooperating growers, industry, University colleagues and other stakeholders while ability to often work independently is needed.  Able to adapt as circumstances warrant.  

Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lifelong Learning

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement – both professionally and as a person. Ability to shift program focus as times and organizational needs change.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/319460.pdf“>https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/319460.pdf

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across California.  We are committed to developing and supporting practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians.  UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.

Learn more about

• UC ANR at https://ucanr.edu“>https://UCANR.edu
• UC ANR in counties: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr/County_Offices/“>https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr/County_Offices/
• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/“>http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/
• Our Public Value statements at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Planning/UC_ANR_Public_Values/“>https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Planning/UC_ANR_Public_Values/
• DEI: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/“>https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/
• Affirmative Action: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/“>http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/
• The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The 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 website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/358478.pdf“>https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/358478.pdf.  If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position without change to the candidate’s current rank, step, salary and/or appointment terms; and if applicable, is eligible to retain indefinite status.

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“>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 approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html“>https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/“>https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #22-41)

Closing Date:  To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by

July 25, 2022 – (open until filled)

Questions?

Contact Tatiana Avoce email: [email protected]“>[email protected]

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/“>https://siss.ucdavis.edu/ as a resource.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19“>SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy.  All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline.   New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines.  (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.)  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. 

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.