JOB ANNOUNCEMENT :: Area IPM Advisor

POSITION

Area IPM Advisor
Applied Research and Extension
Northern Sacramento Valley (Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, and Tehama counties)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide program with local development and delivery, is seeking the following UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) advisor.

Location Headquarters. Oroville, Butte County

Purpose. The Area IPM Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied problem-solving research program in IPM in Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Yuba, and Tehama counties in coordination with the Statewide IPM Program.

The Area IPM Advisor will develop a program based on priority needs and will serve as an expert for issues related to pest management, including arthropods, pathogens, and weeds, of major crops in the Sacramento Valley. Key crops of focus in the area include almonds, walnuts, prunes, and peaches. Agronomic and vegetable crops are also important. Pest management in these crops is of paramount importance not only for its direct effect on productivity and profitability, but also for its impact on the environment and human health.

The Area IPM Advisor is expected to develop and deliver IPM information using several communication channels, including personal consultations, print publications, popular media, public presentations, field days, and web-based media. The Advisor will be closely involved in developing and reviewing content of the UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines that meet the needs of producers and local communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to have meaningful impacts in the Sacramento Valley; engaging with growers, land owners, pest control advisers, industry representatives, regulators, and other UCCE Advisors. The Advisor will conduct independent and collaborative applied research in cooperator's fields; these include grower's farms, the Nickels Soil Laboratory farm site, and the Chico State Farm.

Opportunities abound for research and extension partnerships that link producers, consumers and professionals across multi-sectors with relevant science-based information and promote effective problem solving. The Advisor will also join a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California.

Counties of Responsibility. This position serves Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Yuba, and Tehama Counties. There is an opportunity to work collaboratively across other counties as well. The CE advisor is programmatically responsible to the Statewide IPM Director.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the UCCE Butte County Director with input from the other UCCE County Directors in the coverage area.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in crop pest management (entomology, plant pathology, weed science) or other closely related fields is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements

• Live within a commutable distance of the position headquarters during period of appointment.
• 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.

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

• Technical Competence and Impact
  • The candidate should have a deep understanding of key concepts related to integrated pest management and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and may even need to change the focus of their work.
• Communication
  • Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills.
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.
  • Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Lifelong Learning
  • Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional self-improvement. 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

Desired Experience

• Experience in successful Extension programming or community development,
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, manage teams and implement a research program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.

For more information or to apply, see attached file.