Overview
Urban IPM Area Advisor – Applied Research and Extension
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Urban IPM Area Advisor
Applied Research and Extension
Serving the Capitol Corridor Area
Sacramento, Yolo and Solano Counties, California
Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Urban IPM Area Advisor. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers and educators dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and health issues. Over 150 UC ANR UCCE advisors conduct research, outreach and education from locally based CE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. 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 UC system.
Location Headquarters: UCCE Sacramento County, CA
Purpose. The Urban IPM Area Advisor will develop IPM strategies to effectively manage pests in urban areas while protecting public health and the environment. Key clientele includes public agencies, pest management professionals licensed by either the Structural Pest Control Board or the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and unlicensed members of the general public
This position will primarily address the UC ANR condition change of ‘promoting healthy people and communities’ but will also contribute to ‘developing a qualified workforce’ and ‘promoting economic prosperity.’ The three counties of UCCE Capitol Corridor have a combined population of approximately 2.25 million people, which is more than the total populations of 15 states.
Safe and effective pest management is needed to protect these Californians from negative health impacts of pests and practices used to manage pests in the places where most residents live, work, and play. Although pesticide use is commonly attributed to agriculture, about half of the non-water treatment pesticides used in California are applied in urban settings. Pesticides applied in urban and residential settings may result in significant human exposure and urban pesticide runoff causes higher levels of pesticide contamination of urban surface water resources than agricultural surface water resources.
Extension and Research: 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 and partnerships, including public agencies, pest management and structural pest control professionals, public health professionals and UCCE Master Gardener (MG) Programs. The advisor joins 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. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless.
Extension activities will include coordinating with local public agencies, pest management professional groups (such as Pest Control Operators of California and Pesticide Applicators Professional Association), the UC IPM Program, and faculty and CE Specialists at the UC Riverside and UC Berkeley Urban Pest Management Centers to develop, implement and participate in train-the-trainer programs and hands-on workshops for urban pest managers. The advisor will coordinate or participate in projects that demonstrate IPM practices to local audiences, either directly (for example, landscape maintenance professionals) or indirectly through UC Master Gardeners. In addition, the IPM advisor will develop information for trade journals as well as UC ANR educational materials such as Pest Notes, Quick Tips, and other UC ANR publications for clientele.
Research projects will focus on development of IPM programs to address high priority landscape pests (weeds, plant diseases, insects, vertebrates) or pests in and around structures (insects and commensal rodents). The Urban IPM Area Advisor will be expected to identify local research needs with statewide implications, develop teams to address them, and establish metrics to indicate progress. The expected outcome of the Urban IPM Area Advisor’s program will be increased use of IPM practices that improve management of urban pests, address pests of public health significance, reduce unnecessary or unsafe pesticide use, and reduce pesticide contamination of surface water resources. Success can be measured by change in practices, increased use of IPM strategies, increased awareness of pesticide safety and consequences, or in use of specific tactics through clientele surveys. It is expected that the Urban IPM Area Advisor will publish in the relevant pest management journals, such as Journal of Integrated Pest Management, Environmental Entomology, Plant Disease, or Weed Science and other scholarly journals.
Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Sacramento County office and also serves Yolo and Solano Counties. This is not a remote position.
Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) County Director of the UCCE Capitol Corridor counties and under the programmatic guidance of the Statewide IPM Program Director.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in a pest management discipline or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.
Additional Requirements
• Valid driver’s license required to fulfill job duties- Employees driving County or University vehicles must possess valid California Driver’s License and participate in the DMV pull notice program.
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain within one year 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 Urban Integrated Pest Management and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the urban community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry and by clientele.
Communication
• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, and interpersonal and information technology communication skills.
• Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of this position. 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. Able to adapt as circumstances warranted.
• Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Lifelong Learning
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional 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
• Passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension
• Experience in education and outreach
• Experience working with the landscape industry, irrigation, water conservation, recycled water, turf,
drought-tolerant landscape plants, and composting
• 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
• Spanish language skills are a plus
About UC ANR
The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across California. We are committed to developing and supporting practical, science-based solutions that contribute to healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.
Learn more about
• UC ANR at https://UCANR.edu
• UC ANR in counties: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr/County_Offices/
• Our Strategic Initiatives http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/
• DEI: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_- _Team_Management/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion_Belonging/
• Affirmative Action: Further to the above, advisors are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR’s commitment to affirmative action. Learn more of UC ANR Affirmative Action policy: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/Affirmative_Action/
• 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 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 website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/358478.pdf. 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 https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/118501.pdf
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:
https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/3777848/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #22-39)
Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by February 12, 2023 – (open until filled)
Questions?
Contact Alma Jackson at mailto: ajackson@ucanr.edu
Applicants may wish to explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu and the UC ANR Green Card Sponsorship Guidelines & FAQ’s for reference
University of California Cooperative Extension
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health 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.
To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/3777848
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Minimum Education and Experience