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Cooperative Extension Area Citrus and Pistachio Advisor - Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties (AP 25-26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description: Cooperative Extension Area Citrus and Pistachio Advisor - Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties (AP 25-26) University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Application Window Open date: August 20, 2025 Next review date: Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Monday, Dec 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position description Position Overview The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Environmental (UCCE) Area Citrus and Pistachio Advisor serving Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties at the Assistant rank. The Advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program that supports the citrus industry in the three-county area and the pistachio industry in Kern County. The Advisor will develop a problem-solving and educational program for high-priority production issues related to climate and drought resilience in citrus and pistachios, including warmer temperatures, decreased water availability, and decreased water quality. Research and extension solutions may include rootstock and cultivar selection, irrigation and soil management, and emerging innovative farming practices. Additionally, the incumbent will work on horticultural solutions to production challenges in both crops, integrating research and expertise from colleagues in agricultural engineering, irrigation, plant pathology, and entomology to address concerns such as limited and increasingly expensive inputs (labor, water, nutrients, etc.), the threat of huanglongbing disease (HLB), and other emerging pests and diseases. UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, and mission-oriented, focusing on addressing the challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational practices that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research that supports and promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organizing educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm visits, and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and university and public service. Location Headquarters: The position will be headquartered at the Tulare County Cooperative Extension Office, located at 4437 S. Lapina Street, Tulare, California, 93274. Position Details Sustaining citrus production in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties is critical to the area's 1,800 citrus growers, many of whom are small-scale family farmers. The region represents 70% of California citrus production, adding $6.3 billion to the area's economy, including more than 15,000 jobs. The pistachio industry is similarly important for the state and region, with 27% of the state's pistachio yield resulting in $1.7 billion in economic output and 14,900 jobs. Citrus and pistachio are the ideal high-value "climate-smart" crops that will sustain rural agricultural economies in the warmer, drier decades to come. However, both crops face challenges that require local, on-the-ground, research-based solutions. The Advisor will conduct applied research on topics relevant to the citrus and pistachio industries, based on a clientele needs assessment and the Advisor's expertise. Examples of potential research topics include: Research objectives should emphasize the development of orchard systems that conserve resources in compliance with state air and water regulations. Research results and knowledge are expected to be published in various UC ANR series, technical sheets, commodity board reports, and peer-reviewed journals. The Advisor will conduct outreach to provide science-based information through workshops, field meetings, webinars, newsletters, industry and media outlets, phone calls, and online and social media tools, as appropriate for the target audiences. Extension efforts will need to cover basic information for small acreage and new growers, as well as cutting-edge information for more experienced growers. In this highly collaborative role, the Advisor will work with UC ANR Program Teams, UCCE Specialists, and others in the UC ANR network, as well as external partners such as growers, industry organizations such as California Citrus Mutual and the American Pistachio Growers, and local farm bureaus. Counties of Responsibility. This position has programmatic responsibilities for citrus production in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties, and pistachio production in Kern County. Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location in Tulare, CA, and travel to and be present in all three counties served. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the supervisor. Qualifications and Skills Required Education: A minimum of a master's degree in horticulture, pomology, crop physiology, agroecology, plant nutrition, or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Key Qualifications Additional Skills Required UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Desired Experience |