Cooperative Extension - Area Integrated Pest Management Advisor for Field and Vegetable Crops in the San Joaquin Valley (26-06)

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor for Field and Vegetable Crops at the Assistant rank serving the San Joaquin Valley.

The Area IPM Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program that addresses insect and mite pest issues affecting field and vegetable crops in the San Joaquin Valley, specifically in Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for conducting applied research and extending knowledge. Research activities are applied and mission-oriented, focused on addressing challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational methods that advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities, increasing knowledge and understanding of science-based research that promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve local problems. Extension activities may include individual farm consultations, presentations, or organizing educational workshops, short courses, and field demonstrations. Information may also be disseminated through various channels, such as radio, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, social media, and other outlets. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, popular press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals.

Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding, and the eventual adoption of new skills or practices, changes in attitudes or policies, and improved environmental, economic, or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: 1) extending knowledge, 2) applied research and creative activity, 3) professional competence and activity, and 4) university and public service.

Location Headquarters: This position will be based at the UC ANR West Side Research and Extension Center, located at 17353 W. Oakland Avenue, Five Points, CA 93624.

Position Details

This advisor will provide research-based management recommendations for key insect pests in field and vegetable crops, resulting in substantial positive impacts for consultants and growers. The needs addressed by this position will be diverse and dynamic but will fall into three distinct areas.

1. Field and vegetable crops in the region are attacked by a wide variety of endemic and invasive pests, which cause yield losses, increased management costs, and non-target effects. New management strategies must be developed to adapt to and match the current production environment and pest situations. Additionally, there is a need to evaluate and implement novel tools and technologies for pest management.

2. Regulatory changes that reduce insecticide availability require adaptation of integrated pest management approaches. For example, recent regulatory restrictions on neonicotinoid insecticides will change key pest management programs in field and vegetable crops. Any promising management approaches resulting from the advisor's research activities will be quickly adopted by pest control advisers who recognize the challenges posed by regulatory changes.

3. Management plans for key pests must also adapt to challenges at the landscape scale, arising from changes in cropping patterns or other influences such as climate change. Variations in temperature from the historic average influence the overwintering capacities of cold-sensitive pests and alterations in degree-day accumulation in-season, which drive population density development, resulting in a changing pest dynamic. Factors further complicating the situation include rapid changes in cropping patterns and the percentage of the landscape that is fallow. Systems-based approaches to pest management are needed that consider the impact of the pest on multiple crops, and the influence of the crops and natural environment on the pest. Environmental and economically sustainable approaches to pest management while protecting human health are vitally important to the communities of this historically disadvantaged region of California.

The primary clientele for this position includes growers and consultants for field and vegetable crops. The advisor, through a variety of educational approaches, including one-on-one consultations, presentations, field days, grower meetings, and webinars, will provide information on pest identification and management. They will publish in outlets that may include but are not limited to UC ANR blogs, newsletters, ag trade magazines, technical reports, and peer-reviewed journals. The advisor will work closely with a network of UC ANR academics, including other UCCE Advisors and CE Specialists, focused on IPM and crop production. They will also work with external collaborators, including USDA scientists and personnel from agencies such as county agricultural commissioners' offices and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. They will collaborate closely with key stakeholder groups, such as members of the CA Cotton Growers and Ginners Association, the CA Garlic and Onion Research Advisory Board, the CA Melon Research Board, the CA Tomato Research Institute, the CA Association of Pest Control Advisors, and the CA Specialty Crop Council.

The advisor, working with collaborators, will conduct applied research on topics including:

* Improving early detection of arthropod pests through monitoring, assessment, and mitigating damage through the development of integrated management strategies and refining of IPM systems

* Responding to endemic and invasive threats by developing immediate and long-term programs

* Evaluating integrated pest management strategies as needed, with the inclusion of biological, cultural, plant resistance, and chemical controls

Pests of economic importance in this area include lygus bug and stink bug in cotton and tomatoes; thrips vectors of serious virus diseases in tomato, alfalfa, melons, and peppers; whitefly and aphid potential to cause degraded fiber quality in cotton; sugar cane aphid in sorghum; mites in corn; and other pest impacts on economic yields and quality in seed production in multiple field and vegetable crops.

Counties of Responsibility: This position will serve Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Madera counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor will report to the Directors of the West Side Research and Extension Center and the UC Statewide IPM Program, with input from the area directors of the counties of coverage. This is not a remote position; the advisor must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in the assigned counties. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined by the supervisors upon hire.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: At the time of appointment, a minimum of a master's degree in entomology, pest management, or other closely related field is required.

Key Qualifications

* A broad understanding of IPM, including knowledge of crop production, biocontrol, pesticide use, and insect identification and biology.

* Skills to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the four-counties served and beyond.

* Technical competence in experimental techniques.

* The ability to work with a diverse range of clientele.

* Must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or a Qualified Applicators License (QAL).

* Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series per the UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document research, extension, and/or teaching experience applicable to the academic title and document appropriate scholarly achievements relevant to this position.

* Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a county or university vehicle.

* Applicants must have unrestricted and permanent work authorization in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire, without additional sponsorship. Internal ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.

* This is not a remote position.

Additional Skills Required

* Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.

* Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand the key concepts of vegetable crop production and pest management to design and implement a program that leads to positive change and impact within the community and beyond.

* Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. Ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.

* Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with colleagues within UC ANR.

* Lifelong Learning: Advisors are expected to evolve and grow throughout their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational structure.

* 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

Desired Experiences

* Experience in successful extension programming and applied research.

* A deep understanding of cropping systems, weed science, and pest management.

* Bilingual in Spanish or another language common in the region served.

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the UC system's expertise 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 the West Side Research and Extension Center (WSREC)

Located in the highly productive agricultural west side of the San Joaquin Valley, WSREC supports research in agronomic, vegetable, vine, and tree crops conducted by researchers from the University of California, as well as faculty and staff from other research groups, including several CSU campuses and USDA-ARS. WSREC has meeting and training facilities suitable for extension and outreach activities, available to academics, students, and growers. The Center provides laboratory and office spaces to UC and non-UC academics. It provides labor, equipment, facilities, and technical and management support to UC and non-UC academics and personnel. WSREC is located in Fresno County, one of the four counties the advisor will serve.

Learn more about

* 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 UCANR's Civil Rights Compliance Policy.

* UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR's Principles of Community. We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($108,600). 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)

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

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit the application website and choose "applicants" (refer to position #26-06). 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 19, 2026. (Open until filled)

Questions?

Contact Kahla Wallace at kawallace@ucanr.edu

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 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 status under state or federal law.

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.

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The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.