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:  UCCE Ventura County, CA

Purpose. The Entomology Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program focusing on environmentally sustainable arthropod (insect and mite) pest management in agricultural and natural ecosystems in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

This position offers the opportunity to address a myriad of issues related to pests, including arthropod identification and monitoring, pest biology and phenology, crop loss assessment, pesticide resistance monitoring and prevention, application technology, and evaluation of integrated pest management methods with emphasis on biological and cultural controls.

Key to the success of this position will be research and extension that stimulate adoption of new practices to reduce economic damage from pests while promoting pollinators and beneficial arthropods and minimizing impacts on the environment, farmworkers and consumers. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts in local communities and throughout California.

Opportunities abound for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including growers, pest control advisors (PCAs), the Pesticide Applicators Professional Association, natural resource/land stewards, USDA, CDFA, DPR, the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner, and the general public. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within their communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless.

Counties of Responsibility.  This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Ventura County Office and will also have programmatic responsibilities in Los Angeles County.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Ventura County Director with input from the UCCE Los Angeles County Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in entomology, pest management, plant science, agronomy, or related field is required at the time of appointment. 

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Expectation to be available to work onsite on any day.
• Technical competency in applied entomology research.
• Experience with extension program development and delivery.
• Ability to work with a diverse clientele
• 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.

Desired Experience

• Several years of practical field experience in arthropod pest management
• Experience with biological control of arthropods
• 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
• Successful grant-writing experience

Skills Required

To be successful, the CE Advisor requires skills in the following areas:

Technical Competence and Impact

The candidate should have a broad understanding of integrated pest management principles, including knowledge of crop production, cultural and biological controls, and pesticide use. Quantitative skills and knowledge of, and experience using, statistical analysis and experimental design are required.

There is an expectation that Advisors evolve and grow during their career and respond to changes in the industry and clientele. 

Communication

Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal and information technology communication skills.  Public speaking is a routine part of this position.  Spanish language proficiency is desired.

Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with industry and other stakeholders and academic colleagues.  Able to adapt as circumstances warrant. 

Aware of and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lifelong Learning

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement - both professionally and as a person. Ability to shift program focus as organizational needs change.

Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including areas of program evaluation and skill areas) at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/319460.pdf