POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
University of California Cooperative Extension
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Cooperative Extension Advisor
Area Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor – Entomology
Serving Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz Counties
AP #17-24
LOCATION HEADQUARTERS: Salinas, Monterey County, California
SUBMISSION DATE: To assure full consideration, submit materials by December 29, 2017. Those received after December 29, 2017 may be considered if the position has not yet been filled. (open until filled) POSITION PURPOSE: The Area Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor for Entomology will conduct a multi-county extension, education and applied research program that addresses grower and industry needs, including an understanding of local agricultural crops, their farming systems, and their arthropod pests, including insect-vectored diseases in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Primary crops include cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, and spring mix, broccoli, spinach, celery, and cauliflower, as well as strawberries, caneberries, grapes, ornamental plant production and many specialty crops. The Cooperative Extension (CE) IPM Advisor holds a pivotal role in initiating, contributing to and developing management strategies for invasive invertebrate species and new or exotic insect pests. They must also be knowledgeable about insect pest-related quarantines and interstate/international marketing requirements. Key clientele includes growers, government agencies, pest control advisors, and allied industry personnel. The Area IPM Advisor will be a member of the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (ipm.ucanr.edu) and will participate in UC IPM activities, including development and review of UC IPM online and print publications, organizational meetings, and other programmatic activities relevant to the mission and strategic plan of the Program.
BACKGROUND: University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), is the statewide division of the University of California that administers Cooperative Extension, which is responsible for local program development and delivery throughout the state of California. University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is a network of colleagues with a focus on research, education programs, and outreach to resolve local challenges in communities where they live and work. UC ANR is the bridge between local issues and the power of UC Research. UC ANR’s CE advisors, CE specialists and Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) faculty develop and deliver practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. To learn more about UCCE in these vibrant communities, visit: http://cemonterey.ucanr.edu/, http://cesanbenito.ucanr.edu/, and http://cesantacruz.ucanr.edu/.
Our priorities in research, education, service, and resource allocation are guided by the UC ANR Strategic Vision (http://ucanr.edu/About_ANR/Strategic_Vision/). There are 5 strategic initiatives that ANR is currently focusing on: Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases (EIPD), Healthy Families and Communities (HFC), Sustainable Food Systems (SFS), Sustainable Natural Ecosystem (SNE), and Water Quality, Quantity and Security (WQQS). This position will primarily address priorities found in the Strategic Plans for the Sustainable Food Systems and Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases. The Strategic Plans for each strategic initiative can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS: All UC ANR CE advisors are responsible for performance in the areas of 1)applied research and creative activity, 2) extension of knowledge and information, 3) professionalcompetence and activity, and 4) University and public service.
Research: All UC ANR CE advisors develop and implement applied research programs to provide science-based information addressing complex issues. The applied research program will be based upon a needs assessment, and may include partnerships with a variety of campus and county-based colleagues, as well as external partners. Research topics may include but are not limited to development or validation of IPM techniques for monitoring and management of arthropod pests, and detection and exclusion of invasive species. The CE advisor will be expected to interact with UC ANR Program Teams, CE specialists, CE advisors, and others to develop, strengthen and expand the local delivery of statewide programs.
Extension of Knowledge: County and community partners have come to rely on UC ANR CE advisors as a critical resource for providing research-based information across a variety of disciplines. CE advisors disseminate appropriate, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation. Science-based research results and educational information are disseminated using a variety of methods, including individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations, UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journals, newsletters, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, and an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools (such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools), along with specialized and public media
outlets. Programs will be developed and carried out in collaboration with other UC ANR academics and appropriate statewide efforts including UC ANR Program Teams and Workgroups.
Professional Competence: All UC ANR CE advisors are required to demonstrate professional competence in their programmatic areas. Professional competence includes participation in training activities to enhance professional development, such as administrative trainings, professional conferences, or workshops. Professional competence also includes activities that reflect professional standing within the programmatic area, such as presenting at conferences or workshops, holding offices in professional societies, invited presentations, or reviewing/editing publications.
University and Public Service: All UC ANR CE advisors are required to actively serve the University, as well as the public. University service may occur at the local, division, state, national, or international levels. Examples of potential University service activities include serving on a university workgroup or committee, providing leadership in program teams, or advocacy efforts. Public service involves activities and events in which the incumbent uses their professional expertise to benefit groups or efforts outside the University. Examples may include serving on external boards or councils, participating in community events, and leadership of non-University collaborative groups.
Major Responsibilities:
•Develop and implement effective UC ANRCooperative 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/sites/StrategicInitiatives/.
•Conduct and report regular comprehensiveneeds assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the local clientele groups being served.
•Conduct applied research designed to solve
locally relevant problems and monitor change.
•Disseminate useful, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods thatare responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
•Maintain and promote UC ANR CE’s credibility and visibility by participating in professionalorganizations and collaborating with government agencies, commodity groups, allied industry groups, and other organizations by providing independent science-based information and leadership.
•Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts toscientific and lay audiences through a variety of outreach methods.
•Develop collaborative teams with other UC ANR academics, including CE specialists, AES faculty,CE advisors and/or others, to address priority issues for UC ANR.
RELATIONSHIPS: The CE advisor is administratively responsible to the UCCE Monterey county director, with input from the San Benito and Santa Cruz county directors. The CE advisor is programmatically responsible to the Director of the Statewide IPM Program. The Area IPM Advisor will work with local CE commodity advisors to extend information to clientele.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: An understanding of and commitment to UC ANR’s affirmative action goals and commitments is expected of all CE advisors.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A minimum of an earned master’s degree, though other advanced degrees are encouraged, in disciplines such as entomology, pest management, or other closely related field is required by the appointment start date. A broad understanding of integrated pest management principles, including knowledge of crop production, cultural and biological controls, and pesticide use is required. Quantitative skills and knowledge of, and experience using, statistical analysis and experimental designs are required. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are required. Demonstrated ability in applied research and extension is preferred. Practical field experience in entomology pest management is preferred.
The CE advisor must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.
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://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/271532.pdf. If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE academic with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain such indefinite status.
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. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/.
HOW TO APPLY: To be considered, applicants must electronically submit the following four components of the Application Packet to ANRacademicsearch@ucanr.edu:
1.Cover Letter
2.ANR Academic Application Form— from the ANR website at:http://ucanr.edu/academicapplication
Please include a list of potential references. If you are selected for an interview, the searchcommittee will contact the references you listed on the UC ANR application form (aminimum of four and a maximum of six names, current addresses, phone numbers andemail addresses). Please do not send letters of reference.
3.CV or Resume
4.College Level Transcripts: Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of originaltranscripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify course work completed, gradesearned, degrees conferred and confer dates.
Application and associated materials will not be returned to the applicant. A search committee will review all applications, interview candidates, and recommend individuals most suitable for the position.
For information regarding this position, please contact:
University of California ANR Academic HR LeChé McGill (530) 750-1281 E-mail Address: anracademicsearch@ucanr.edu