Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor Serving Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties

Date Posted: March 7, 2025
Closing Date:
April 28, 2025

Job Description: Download

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor, serving Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. The advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program to support the vegetable industry on the Central Coast.

Location Headquarters: University of California Cooperative Extension Office in Monterey County, Salinas, California.

The Central Coast produces most of the salad vegetables consumed in the United States and is a major exporter of vegetable products to Mexico, Canada, Asia, and the Middle East. Multiple issues threaten the long-term sustainability of the vegetable industry in the region, including high labor costs, the emergence of new diseases and insect pests, food safety risks, water scarcity, and the impacts of nutrients and pesticides on water quality.

The Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor will be a keystone position to lead teams of ANR advisors and specialists to collaboratively develop research and outreach programs in issues surrounding vegetable production and weed control. Vegetable production issues include fertilizer and nutrient management and will involve other advisors and specialists working in crop nutrition, water management, and soil health. Weed management skills complement the expertise of advisors and specialists with appointments serving agriculture technology, range science, viticulture, strawberry production, entomology, environmental horticulture, plant pathology, and small farms. Weed management is a critical issue due to the low tolerance for weeds in vegetable fields, the high cost of hand labor, diminishing chemical control options due to regulations, and the threat of potential and actual invasive weed species in range and wild lands.

Research efforts will focus on vegetable production and weed management. Examples of needed research include: 1. Evaluating best management practices to reduce nitrate impacts on ground and surface water; 2. Identifying practices and varieties that reduce cadmium uptake in spinach; 3. Nutrient management in organic vegetable systems; and 4. Innovative weed management strategies to reduce weed pressure in high-value horticultural crop production such as vegetables. Publication of research results and knowledge is expected to include various UC ANR series, technical sheets, and peer-reviewed journals.

Outreach will include standard extension methods such as newsletter and trade journal articles, extension publications, and organizing and participating in educational trainings and seminars. In addition, the advisor will use an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools such as online learning, web content, blogs, social media, impact and evaluation tools, and videos. Extensive collaboration internally with other ANR academics and externally with other researchers, government agencies, and private industry is expected. The advisor will serve as a resource in vegetable crop production and weed science for other ANR advisors and specialists, as well as consultants, pest control advisors, agricultural commissioners, government scientists, and regulatory personnel.

Counties of Responsibility. This position has programmatic responsibilities in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative and academic guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension Tri-County Director for Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location in Monterey County and travel to and be present in all three counties. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in vegetable crop production, horticulture, weed science, agronomy, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

• Knowledge of and experience in commercial crop production, applied research, and educational programming.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines on research and education projects.
• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
• Technical competence in commercial crop production: The candidate should be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive impacts for Central Coast vegetable growers.
• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key stakeholders, county-based staff, community-based organizations, and colleagues in UC ANR.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed. Proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a county or university vehicle.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain within one year a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.

Desired Experience

• Experience in conducting field research in agriculture; planning and implementation of broad, large-scale research and extension programs.
• Experience in building partnerships and with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.
• Skills in IGIS, spatial analysis, or statistics
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English)

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

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

About Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties

The Central Coast counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz have been called the nation's "Salad Bowl." The total value of vegetables produced in the tri-county area was nearly $3.5 billion in 2022. Organic production has steadily increased on the central coast, with gross sales of more than $1 billion in Monterey County alone in 2022. The three counties have a combined population of over 750,000 residents. Larger cities include Salinas, Hollister, and Watsonville. In addition to its abundant agriculture, the area features world-renowned stretches of coastline and tourist attractions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf. Monterey County, where the position will be located, is just over 100 miles from the City of San Francisco.

• UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement.
• UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
• UC ANR Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
• UC ANR UC ANR uses seven Public Value statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• 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.
• 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

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($82,900) to Step VI ($105,200). Step placement in the advisor series is based on 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

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 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM):

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

If you are interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position 24-28). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.

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

April 28, 2025 - (Open until filled)

Contact Katie Kilbane; email: klkilbane@ucanr.edu

Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu and the UC ANR Green Card Sponsorship Guidelines & FAQ's for reference.

University of California Cooperative Extension

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government 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 non discrimination 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.