Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor (Applied Research and Extension) AP 22-42 Apply
University of California Agriculture andNatural Resources
County Locations: Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa County, SonomaCounty
Date Posted: January 30, 2024
Closing Date: Until Filled
Job Description: Download
Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor.UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers and educators dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address localagricultural, environmental and health issues. Over 150 UC ANR UCCE advisors conduct research, outreach and education from locally based CEoffices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. Our mission is to bring the University of California directly toCalifornians through research, extension and education programs that support:
- Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production anddelivery
- Economic success in a global economy
- A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
- Science literacyand youth development
Location Headquarters: UCCE SonomaCounty, Santa Rosa, CA.
Purpose: The Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor will serve as an expert for issuesrelated to irrigation water management and soil, focusing on strategies to meet agricultural and managed ecosystem water requirements whilestewarding soil quality. This position will support agriculture production by incentivizing on-farm practices to promote innovative wateruse, e.g., to increase irrigation water use efficiency, ensure the sustainable use of groundwater and/or recycled water, and promoteclimate-smart water and soil management practices. The advisor will assist agricultural producers and natural resource managers to meetwater demands through innovation. The candidate will conduct research to understand and develop solutions to increase the resilience ofagriculture and natural ecosystems to extreme weather and climate change. This position can expand public awareness of climate risks andeffective adaptation strategies.
Research and Extension: Wine grape vineyards comprise the majority of irrigatedacreage in agricultural production in the three-county area, with significantly fewer acres in other crops receiving appliedwater.
Applied Research: The Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor will develop a research program to improve theunderstanding and use of technology, such as to monitor plant water stress and soil moisture, optimize irrigation scheduling, and mitigatethe effects of damaging heat waves. This may include research on cost-effective aerial remote sensing tools that capture plant, soil andatmospheric data to enable growers to quantify the annual differences in water use due to increasingly variable weather conditions, increasewater storage and holding capacity, as well as identify areas of reduced soil health that require modified management practices. The advisorcan also validate innovative practices such as precision irrigation, and strategies including regulated deficit irrigation and collaboratewith UC ANR colleagues to study the response and adaptation of grapevines and other crops to prolonged drought or other extreme climaticconditions.
The position will help growers modify practices to enable compliance with regulations associated with agricultural wateruse, such as the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) and the Sustainable Groundwater Water Management Act (SGMA) as well as supportassessments of the impacts of irrigated agriculture on the environment. A diverse clientele base with different interests in the use of andpolicies associated with water resources exists in this region and the Advisor will be an important part of the team by conducting researchto evaluate strategies that will allow growers to meet new requirements.
Extension and Outreach: The Area Water andSoil Resource Advisor is expected to develop an outreach program to encourage adoption of sustainable practices that improve irrigationmanagement in irrigated agriculture, and explore agricultural groundwater recharge opportunities and increase soil water storage. Thecandidate will work with growers and industry organizations in each county to disseminate information and work across disciplines withcampus faculty, CE Specialists, and CE advisors in Land, Air and Water Resources, Viticulture and Enology, Plant Sciences, and NaturalResources.
There are numerous opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders in the threecounties served including the Regional Water Quality Boards, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies required by SGMA, and the Irrigated LandsRegulatory Programs in each region. Additional agencies include Sonoma Water, the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency andWatershed Information Council, Marin Water, North Marin Water District, Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation ImprovementDistrict, and others, as well as local USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Resource Conservation Districts (RCD), andindustry groups, such as Farm Bureaus and others.
The Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCEcolleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California.There is an opportunity and expectation to work collaboratively within the UC ANR system.
Counties of Responsibility.This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Sonoma County Office and serve Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and MarinCounties.
Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the UCCE Sonoma CountyDirector with input from the UCCE County Directors for Napa, Mendocino, and Marin Counties.
Qualifications and SkillsRequired
Required Qualifications
Education: A minimum of a master's degree in disciplines such ashydrologic sciences, soil science, agronomy, water resources, agricultural engineering or other closely related fields is required at thetime of appointment.
Additional Requirements
- Coursework or experience is desired in irrigation systems, groundwatersystems, experimental design, statistical analysis, soil science, water quality, agricultural engineering, geographic information systems,and remote sensing.
- Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability and property damage insuranceon vehicle used is Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.
- The ability to work withclientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is
- This is not a remote The candidate must be available towork onsite.
To be successful, the CE Advisor requires skills in the followingarea:
Technical Competence and Impact
The candidate should be able to design and implement a program that leads topositive change and impact within the community and beyond. There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career andrespond to changes in the industry and by clientele.
Communication
Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, andinterpersonal and information technology communication skills. Public speaking to stakeholders is a routine part of thisposition.
Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
Collaboration, Teamworkand Flexibility
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with the agricultural industry, natural resourceprofessionals, and other stakeholders. Able to adapt as circumstances warrant.
Aware and willing to actively promote diversity,equity, and inclusion.
Lifelong Learning
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional improvement. Ability to grownew competencies, adapt programs, and shift focus over time in response to changing stakeholder priorities and organizationalneeds.
Learn more about Skills and Areas of Programmatic Review (including Professional Competence, University andPublic 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
- Experiencein education and
- Experience building partnerships and working in multidisciplinary
- Demonstrated ability to effectivelyplan projects, manage teams, and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives.
The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of anetwork of scientists and educators working in partnership across the state of California. We are committed to developing and supportinghealthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers Statewide Programs andInitiatives (SWP/I's) that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integratedteams to work on complex issues requiring trans-disciplinary approaches; as well as UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsiblefor program development and delivery in counties throughout the state.
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/
- Our Public Value statements at:
- DEI: Further to the above, advisors are expectedto share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-
- Affirmative Action: Further to theabove, 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 toattracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applicationsfrom members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ communitymembers, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive,equitable and welcoming.
Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative ExtensionAdvisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($79,500) to Step VI ($100,900). Step placement in the advisor series is based on applicableexperience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to theUniversity 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 positionwithout change to the candidate's current rank, step, salary and/or appointment terms; and if applicable, is eligible to retain indefinitestatus. This position is eligible for indefinite status following three successful reviews and subject to terms noted in UC ANR Policy andProcedure Manual, Section 315 https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/118501.pdf
Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including healthinsurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position iseligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of the University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefitswebsite
at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
How to Apply
If interested inthis position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"applicants\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" (refer to position #22-42)
Closing Date: To assure fullconsideration,applicationpacketsmustbereceivedby
March 21, 2024 - (open untilfilled)
Questions?
Contact Kyla Perez; email mikperez@ucanr.edu
Applicants may wishto explore the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars web page at https://siss.ucdavis.edu and the UC ANR Green CardSponsorship Guidelines & FAQ's for reference.
University of California Cooperative Extension
As a Universityemployee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amendedfrom time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of Californiais an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or otherprotected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environmentin which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictlyprohibited.
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