UC Cooperative Extension Specialist

UC Cooperative Extension Specialist - Agricultural Innovation and Technology - Located at the Kearney Research and Extension Center (25-10)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Date Posted: March 5, 2025
Closing Date: May 1, 2025

Job Description: Download

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Specialist (UCCE) - Agricultural Innovation and Technology at the Assistant rank.

The Agricultural Innovation and Technology Specialist will lead research, development, and extension activities focused on evaluating and advancing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. This role is critical to supporting California farmers by addressing key challenges such as labor shortages, water scarcity, soil health management, pest and disease management, and increasing regulatory requirements. The specialist will work closely with UC ANR specialists and advisors in technology evaluation and demonstration activities, along with UC campus and county-based academics, grower organizations, industry partners, and technology developers to create and validate evidence-based approaches for technology adoption in complex agricultural systems. The specialist will focus on agricultural innovations across a range of emerging, multidisciplinary technologies, including but not limited to:

• Agricultural robotics and smart machinery -including autonomous tractors, robotics harvesters, and precision weeding machinery.
• Precision agriculture - encompassing IoT-enabled sensor networks, AI-drive decision support systems, and remote sensing technology for applications ranging from automated irrigation and fertilization schedules to harvest timing and yield estimation.
• Biological inputs and sustainable alternatives - evaluating bio-based pesticides, soil microbiome bio-inputs, and other bio-based inputs.
• Novel energy and production systems - such as agrivoltaics, trellising systems to support technology, closed-loop hydroponic systems, and waste-to-energy solutions.

This position will serve as a bridge between the technology industry and farmer communities' needs and priorities, scientific research, and practical solutions, ensuring that agriculture technology and innovations are validated, cost-effective, and deployable.

UCCE Specialists conduct research and educational programs aimed at appropriate clientele groups in California's communities. UCCE Specialists have programs of primarily mission-oriented research or creative work that support the university's efforts in extending knowledge, including outreach and community engagement. Mission-oriented research describes the complete research continuum that extends from basic research to applications of research results. Within the UCCE mission and mandate, this applied research focuses on developing practical and cost-effective solutions to address problems and challenges that communities are facing. UCCE Specialists publish the results of applied research in a combination of research publication types, whether peer-reviewed journals or other local venues, based on the targeted audiences.

The extension and outreach programs disseminate knowledge and information to clientele groups for their use in improving their abilities to understand and address problems and opportunities facing them. The extension educational program serves the University's public service mission. Educational program activities include but are not limited to collaborations with UCCE Advisors, other UCCE Specialists, campus faculty, program teams, workgroups, or clientele groups; developing and presenting educational materials; communicating to clientele through broadcast, print, or electronic media; participating in meetings with clientele; developing and presenting in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences. Much of this work will be conducted in partnership with UC ANR's locally based UCCE Advisors, Research and Extension Center teams, and UC ANR Office of Innovation teams. The UCCE Specialist - Advisor and faculty partnership creates an applied research network that benefits both the University and the public at large. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University.

Location Headquarters. The position will be physically located at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center (KREC) in Parlier, CA, with additional space at West Side Research and Extension Center (WSREC) in Five Points, California. This position will be administratively housed at the Office of Innovation (OIN) of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).

Position Details

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing methods for assessing the technical, environmental, economic, and social impacts of emerging agricultural technologies.
• Providing technical expertise and training to UC ANR academics to support planning, development, and implementation of effective approaches to collect and analyze data that results in practical applications for growers.
• Conducting applied research, including field trials on technology validation and other feasibility analysis (e.g, techno-economic analyses or life-cycle assessment), in collaboration with UC ANR academics and industry.
• Conduct needs assessments on technology and innovation to identify technological gaps in California agriculture to be addressed through specific research and extension programs.
• Design evaluation frameworks for agricultural technology solutions, such as:
  • Performance and accuracy metrics for agricultural robotics that consider the machinery's impact on the agronomic, environmental, labor, and community aspects of farming.
  • Effectiveness, environmental and worker safety assessments for biological pesticides and other non-chemical, bio-based inputs.
  • Cost-benefit analysis and impact assessment of innovations and technologies on yield quantity and quality.
  • Data integration and interoperability strategies for sensor networks, software, unmanned aerial & smart machinery, and precision agriculture platforms.
  • Feasibility analysis and demonstration of protected agriculture systems such as agrivoltaics and hydroponic farming systems to showcase emerging energy-water-agriculture solutions.
• Organize demonstration events, workshops, and field days to showcase validated technologies and educate farmers, advisors, and industry partners.

• Develop innovation hubs that provide technical advice on the development of policies, strategies, protocols, and guidelines for successful scaling up and introduction of emerging technologies.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, UC ANR publications, and industry trade outlets.
• Secure competitive funding from federal/state agencies, commodity boards, and industry partners to support research and extension efforts.

Counties of Responsibility: This state-wide position will support industry and communities directly, as well as UC ANR academics throughout the state who serve farmers, growers, and ranchers across California, as well as allied agencies and organizations. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.

Reporting Relationship: The position will be located at the Kearney and West Side Research and Extension Centers in Parlier, CA, and Five Points, CA, and will report to the UC ANR Vice Provost for Academic Personnel. This is a statewide position, requiring collaboration with UC ANR personnel and external partners throughout California.

It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the Kearney and West Side RECS.
Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or international equivalent) related to agriculture science, economics, agribusiness, social sciences, biological and agricultural engineering, agricultural innovation systems, or related fields is required at the time of appointment. Applicants who have not yet earned a Ph.D. must be within 12 months of completing their degree to be considered for the position.

Key Qualifications

• Relevant and extensive multidisciplinary experience in agricultural technology assessment, innovation evaluation, and applied research technologies.
• Experience in conducting horizon scanning and technology assessment, including field trials, validation protocols, demonstration, and outreach activities.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are required.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and applied research outlets.
• Strong experience in fundraising and resource mobilization, including competitive grant funding from government agencies, commodity boards, and industry partners
• 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 university vehicle.

Desired Experience

• Experience with integrated research and educational projects and extension to diverse audiences.
• Experience in building partnerships and working with the technology industry and farm communities.

Expertise in AI-driven decision support tools, IoT-based precision agriculture, smart agricultural machinery . click apply for full job details