Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor Serving Monterey

Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor Serving Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties - 24-28

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

County Locations : Monterey County, San Benito County, Santa Cruz County

Date Posted : March 7, 2025
Closing Date : April 28, 2025

Job Description : Download

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor, serving Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. The advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program to support the vegetable industry on the Central Coast.

Location Headquarters: University of California Cooperative Extension Office in Monterey County, Salinas, California.
Position Details

The Central Coast produces most of the salad vegetables consumed in the United States and is a major exporter of vegetable products to Mexico, Canada, Asia, and the Middle East. Multiple issues threaten the long-term sustainability of the vegetable industry in the region, including high labor costs, the emergence of new diseases and insect pests, food safety risks, water scarcity, and the impacts of nutrients and pesticides on water quality.

The Vegetable Crop and Weed Science Advisor will be a keystone position to lead teams of ANR advisors and specialists to collaboratively develop research and outreach programs in issues surrounding vegetable production and weed control. Vegetable production issues include fertilizer and nutrient management and will involve other advisors and specialists working in crop nutrition, water management, and soil health. Weed management skills complement the expertise of advisors and specialists with appointments serving agriculture technology, range science, viticulture, strawberry production, entomology, environmental horticulture, plant pathology, and small farms. Weed management is a critical issue due to the low tolerance for weeds in vegetable fields, the high cost of hand labor, diminishing chemical control options due to regulations, and the threat of potential and actual invasive weed species in range and wild lands.

Research efforts will focus on vegetable production and weed management. Examples of needed research include: 1. Evaluating best management practices to reduce nitrate impacts on ground and surface water; 2. Identifying practices and varieties that reduce cadmium uptake in spinach; 3. Nutrient management in organic vegetable systems; and 4. Innovative weed management strategies to reduce weed pressure in high-value horticultural crop production such as vegetables. Publication of research results and knowledge is expected to include various UC ANR series, technical sheets, and peer-reviewed journals.

Outreach will include standard extension methods such as newsletter and trade journal articles, extension publications, and organizing and participating in educational trainings and seminars. In addition, the advisor will use an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools such as online learning, web content, blogs, social media, impact and evaluation tools, and videos. Extensive collaboration internally with other ANR academics and externally with other researchers, government agencies, and private industry is expected. The advisor will serve as a resource in vegetable crop production and weed science for other ANR advisors and specialists, as well as consultants, pest control advisors, agricultural commissioners, government scientists, and regulatory personnel.

Counties of Responsibility . This position has programmatic responsibilities in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Reporting Relationship : The advisor serves under the administrative and academic guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension Tri-County Director for Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location in Monterey County and travel to and be present in all three counties. 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 in vegetable crop production, horticulture, weed science, agronomy, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications
•  Knowledge of and experience in commercial crop production, applied research, and educational programming.
•  Experience collaborating across disciplines on research and education projects.
•  Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
•  Technical competence in commercial crop production: The candidate should be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive impacts for Central Coast vegetable growers.
•  Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills.
•  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key stakeholders, county-based staff, community-based organizations, and colleagues in UC ANR.
•  Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed. Proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a county or university vehicle.
•  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. Desired Experience
•  Experience in conducting field research in agriculture; planning and implementation of broad, large-scale research and extension programs.
•  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.
•  Skills in IGIS, spatial analysis, or statistics
•  Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) 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 Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties

The Central Coast counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz have been called the nation's "Salad Bowl." The total value of vegetables produced in the tri-county area was nearly $3.5 billion in 2022. Organic production has steadily increased on the central coast, with gross sales of more than $1 billion in Monterey County alone in 2022. The three counties have a combined population of over 750,000 residents. Larger cities include Salinas, Hollister, and Watsonville. In addition to its abundant agriculture, the area features world-renowned stretches of coastline and tourist attractions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf. Monterey County, where the position will be located, is just over 100 miles from the City of San Francisco.
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 UC ANR's Affirmative Action policy . click apply for full job details