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Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Environmental (UCCE) Horticulture and Controlled Environment Agriculture Advisor serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties at the Assistant rank. The Advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program that supports the area’s robust environmental horticulture industry.

The Environmental Horticulture (EH) Advisor will primarily focus on research and education that supports and expands nursery, greenhouse, and other controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems. Strategies could include modification of aerial and root environments, extension of growing seasons, and new technologies to support efficient cropping systems, water conservation, and integrated pest management throughout the production cycle. The position will also develop and extend research-based information on the proper selection, placement, and care of climate-resilient trees and other landscape plants that mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance the quality of life in urban environments. The Advisor will provide academic oversight for the UC Master Gardener Volunteer Programs in Monterey & Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

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 Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension Office, located at 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, California.

Position Details

Environmental horticulture production, including nursery crops (potted foliage and flowering plants, bulbs, transplants, flower seed, and bedding plants) and floral crops (cut flowers and greens) is valued at over $500 million in the Monterey Bay area. A significant component of this production occurs in hoop houses, greenhouses, and other protected environments. The Advisor will develop a multidisciplinary applied research and extension program to help growers improve CEA systems to use less water, manage pests more effectively, use inputs such as fertilizer more efficiently, and integrate technology that may help reduce the need for labor and assist with other constraints in the EH industry.

Research will focus on EH and CEA systems that lead to practical solutions for area clientele. Topics appropriate for research include:

• Crop productivity and sustainability
• Technologies/automation that assist with production needs and labor constraints
• Minimizing pesticide and fertilizer use and impacts on human and environmental health
• Systems and technologies to improve the quality and delivery of recycled water, reducing problems such as plugging of nozzles, high substrate salt levels, and plant damage
• Identifying drought, heat, pest, and fire-resistant landscape plants suitable for residential, public, and commercial environments that cool urban heat islands and bridge disparities in low-wealth, low-tree canopy communities
• Strategies that enhance habitat and pollinator populations, ecosystem diversity, abatement of air and water pollutants, carbon sequestration, erosion control, and other critical ecosystem services in urban landscapes

Publication of research results and knowledge is expected to include various UC ANR series, technical sheets, 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.

This position will support the goals of the statewide UC Master Gardener program by providing academic oversight for the existing UC Master Gardener Volunteer program in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, as well as an emerging program in San Benito County. Providing accurate information on home and community landscapes is an essential role of this Advisor.

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, grower-shippers, commodity boards, USDA agencies, local farm bureaus, and nonprofit organizations.

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

Reporting Relationship: The Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties, with input from the UCCE County Director in San Mateo County. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location in Watsonville, CA, and travel to and be present in all four 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 respective supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in environmental, urban, or ornamental horticulture or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications
• Experience in the landscape, nursery, or urban forestry industry.
• Experience in conducting applied, impact-oriented research on topics relevant to this position.
• Capacity or potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with the values of UCANR.
• 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 or obtain a valid California Driver’s License to drive a county or university vehicle.

Additional Skills Required
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• Interest in and desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
• Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.
• Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills.
• Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.
• Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that Advisors evolve and grow across their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational structure.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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
• Experience in building partnerships and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience fostering climate change mitigation through partnerships and collaborations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan projects, manage teams, and implement an applied research and outreach program, including setting measurable goals and objectives
• Experience seeking and securing extramural funding
• Spanish language skills

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 more than 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 Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties

The Advisor will serve a four-county area that includes diverse landscapes such as beaches, redwoods, farmland, and cities like Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Monterey, Salinas, Hollister, and Daly City. This region is home to some of the nation’s most important farm products, including salad greens, strawberries, wine grapes, and many other crops. Agriculture along the Central Coast is known for its variety and high-value crops, as well as the innovative growers who constantly seek ways to produce crops more efficiently and sustainably.

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.
• UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR's Principles of Community. We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($108,600) . Step placement in the Advisor series is based on 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/default/files/2025-01/406198.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 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM):

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 you are interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position 25-05). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by
August 20, 2025 (Open until filled),

Questions?
Contact Mikyla Perez, email: mikperez@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 University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state or federal law.

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.

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.