Area Orchard Systems Advisor (AP 24-26)

Company: University of California Agriculture and Natural R
Location: Stockton
Posted on: March 8, 2025

Job Description:

Area Orchard Systems Advisor (AP 24-26)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

County Locations: San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County

Date Posted: January 31, 2025
Closing Date: March 24, 2025

Job Description:

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Area Orchard Systems Advisor, serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The successful candidate will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program that will focus on almonds and pistachios in Stanislaus County and peaches and apricots in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Disciplinary focus will be on orchard production systems, nutrient management, pest management, water efficiency, and soil fertility and health.

Location Headquarters: University of California Cooperative Extension Office in Stanislaus County, Modesto, California.
Position Details

The Area Orchard Systems Advisor will support the ANR Public Values of "Promoting economic prosperity in California" through increases in agriculture efficiency and profitability; "Protecting California's natural resources" by improving land management, soil quality, agricultural sustainability, water quality, and water use efficiency; and "Building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems" by increasing resilience to extreme weather and climate change by improving water resiliency with on-farm practices such as groundwater recharge and recycling water and biomass.

The advisor will develop an applied research program to address critical issues facing orchard crops, including irrigation and fertigation efficiency, rootstock and variety evaluation, cropping efficiency, overcoming salt and soil chemistry challenges, soil health and cover cropping, invasive disease epidemics and use of plant growth regulators to help overcome issues related to climate change. Priorities may include fruit harvest mechanization to address labor shortages, canopy size and structure to facilitate harvest efficiency, and fertilization strategies to optimize fruit size, yield, and quality.

There is strong support from the local industry that will allow the new advisor to address high-profile policy issues (e.g. Flood Managed Aquifer Recharge and Climate Smart Ag) such as fertilizer and irrigation management concerns that are facing additional regulation in coming years but are key to advancing profitability. There are numerous publication opportunities across these crops and disciplines, including trade journal publications, commodity board technical reports, and scientific journals.

The advisor will be expected to collaborate in knowledge creation and extension with key clientele including farmers and allied industry. California pest control advisors (PCA) and certified crop advisors (CCA) seek continuing education to continue to advise farmers on best practices and develop nutrient management plans on roughly 475,000 fruit and nut acres in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The position is responsible for creating and implementing an innovative extension program using traditional and modern tools to support the development of new practices and evaluation of existing practices for increasing production efficiencies while being protective of natural resources. The advisor will provide needs-based education that is responsive to the preferences of clientele.

Programs will be developed and carried out in collaboration with other ANR academics as well as related government and private industries in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The position requires interaction with farmers, landowners, commodity boards, pest control advisors, federal and state agency managers and partners, and other client groups and managers from the public and/or private sector. The advisor is expected to work collaboratively with Cooperative Extension Specialists, AES researchers and Cooperative Extension Advisors through various workgroups. UCCE Stanislaus County has the resources to maximize the productivity of this advisor for statewide as well as local benefit, including an established team of both an integrated pest management advisor and an irrigation advisor, both working exclusively in orchard systems, that will serve as the foundation of local collaboration in research and extension. The Orchard Systems Advisor will bring valuable orchard/horticulture knowledge to the local team, allowing for a holistic approach to research and extension programs aimed at tackling multi-faceted issues.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in Stanislaus County and will serve Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Stanislaus County Director with input from the San Joaquin County Director. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. 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.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a master's degree related to pomology, horticulture, plant science, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications

• The candidate should be able to develop and integrate all aspects of crop production to promote sustainability, profitability, and environmental stewardship.
• 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.
• 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 a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
  • 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.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Additional Skills Required
    
    • Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
    • Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.
    • Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.
    • Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.
    • Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
      
      Desired Experience
      
      • Experience working with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities.
        
        
        Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University and Public Service and Affirmative Action and DEI) at:
        
        
        
        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 Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties
        
        
        At the center of California's San Joaquin Valley, Stanislaus County is comprised of just over 1500 square miles, and a population of over half a million residents, centered in the county seat of Modesto. It has a rich agricultural history, as does neighboring San Joaquin County, just to the north. San Joaquin County has an area of just under 1500 square miles and a population of over 800,000 residents, most concentrated in the county seat of Stockton. Despite their growing metro areas, agriculture continues to be a key sector in both counties, which are two of the top ten counties in the U.S. in terms of their farm production. Almonds are a cornerstone of the agricultural economy that sustains rural and urban livelihoods in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Stanislaus County is currently third in almond production in the state, with over 200,000 acres. With support from UCCE, almond production has largely remained a local, family industry with a large population of part-time and small-acreage family farmers (less than 40 acres). Stanislaus County boasts California's largest multi-million-dollar tree fruit industry.
        Learn more about
        
        • and .
        • UC ANR administers that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
        • UC ANR help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
        • UC ANR UC ANR uses seven 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
        • UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to
        • 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 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:
          
          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 .
          
          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:
          How to Apply
          
          If interested in this position, please visit: and choose "applicants" (refer to position #24-26). 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 March 24, 2025 - (Open until filled)
          Questions?
          
          Contact Mikyla Perez; email:
          
          Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at and the 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 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.
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
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Keywords: University of California Agriculture and Natural R, Stockton , Area Orchard Systems Advisor (AP 24-26), Other , Stockton, California