Employer: University of California Cooperative Extension Div

Description:BACKGROUND: Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties comprise one of the premiere growing areas of the world. Gross agricultural production from the 80-plus crops from Monterey County alone approaches $3.5 billion. Agriculture in this tri-county area is distinct for its diversity of crops, intensive year-round growing, significant multiple-commodity crop rotations, many microclimates, rich soils, and an unrivaled support infrastructure of fresh packaging plants and allied industries. The cross-county position, headquartered in Monterey County, also covers entomology issues for adjacent Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The successful candidate will join a distinguished, award-winning team of Farm Advisors who specialize in plant pathology, irrigation and water resources, weed science and vegetable production, viticulture, strawberries, 4-H, marine science, ag economics and environmental horticulture, pomology and livestock. The county provides excellent amenities including: two modern, fully-equipped laboratories; a large research greenhouse with computerized environmental controls and headhouse; smaller production greenhouses; storage building; secretarial and field staff support; a dedicated vehicle; and equipment for conducting field research. The area is rich with research opportunities, and funding from a variety of sources is available for an advisor who is adept at grant writing. NATURE AND PURPOSE: The Entomology Advisor will conduct a research and educational program in entomology applicable to crops produced in the three counties. Crops include cool-season vegetables such as lettuce and spring mix, broccoli, spinach, celery, and cauliflower, as well as strawberries, ornamental nursery and many specialty crops. The organic industry continues to grow and expand leading to innumerable opportunities for research and educational outreach. Insects are a major concern for all of these commodities as they directly damage crops and reduce yields, contaminate the final product, spread disease or raise issues regarding quarantines and interstate/international marketing.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Academic appointees in Cooperative Extension are responsible for performance in four major areas: extending knowledge and information; applied research and creative activity; professional competence; and University and public service. The Entomology Advisor is expected to: • conduct research on new and emerging pests and invasive species, as well as established insect problems; • devise new and innovative pest management techniques; • develop a balanced research and extension program to serve the needs of both organic and conventional farming systems in the three counties; • provide service to large-scale as well as limited-resource growers, and provide diagnostic services for insect related crop production problems; • coordinate dissemination of information related to entomology to Pest Control Advisers, growers, allied industry personnel, other government agencies, fellow UC personnel and the public; • establish (as appropriate) productive research and extension collaborations with fellow farm advisors, locally and in other counties, UC specialists, campus-based UC researchers, and researchers from non-UC institutions; • engage in multi-state research with other land grant university personnel; and • demonstrate exemplary professionalism in dealing with clientele, colleagues and the public. Examples of potential areas of research: • management of soil pests including, but not limited to, root maggots, symphylans and springtails, which all have relevance to economic viability, water quality, basic biology, soil/insect interactions and food safety; • management of thrips pests in export vegetable crops; • organic pest control through habitat manipulation and other measures; • applied chemical research and testing required for registration of reduced-risk pesticides; • protection of groundwater and waterways leading to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; and • response to invasive and newly introduced pests. Extension: The Entomology Advisor will extend research-based applied information to the primary audience of commerical growers and Pest Control Advisers through the following: newsletters, publications, special meetings, websites, popular press articles, farm calls, farm demonstrations and other means as suitable. Such information is extended to all clientele groups, including limited resource, underserved growers. A second and important component of a Cooperative Extension Advisor is publishing research-based findings in peer-reviewed articles and publications contributing to the scientific body of knowledge in the appropriate discipline. Professional Development and Service: Approximately 10% of the advisor’s time will be devoted to building their professional expertise, and 10% to sharing their expertise for the betterment of the community and University.

RELATIONSHIPS: The Advisor is administratively responsible to the Cooperative Extension County Director in Monterey County and, through the County Director, to the Regional Director in the Central Coast and South Region. The advisor is also expected to keep the County Directors in San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties informed of program activities. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Implement outreach efforts to ensure nondiscrimination in program identification and delivery. Promote and encourage maximum participation of minorities, women, and other under-served groups. Include outreach objectives as a component in planning, implementing, and evaluating program efforts. Establish and update statistical data pertaining to populations served, and to be served, by programs. Record, document, and report outreach plans, goals, activities, progress and results; and submit required activity reports as scheduled.

Location: Monterey (Salinas--headquarters), San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties

Qualifications: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in entomology or a closely related field is preferred. Excellent communication skills are essential. The ability to speak, read and write in Spanish is an asset. Experience: Experience in supervising students or research assistants is desirable. SALARY: Beginning salary will be in the Cooperative Extension Assistant rank, commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. The Advisor position is an academic career-track appointment. Prior to the completion of the initial appointment, the position and the incumbent’s performance will be reviewed. If the review reflects a continuing need for the position and the incumbent’s performance is judged to be of high quality, the incumbent will be offered a second definite term appointment of two years, subject to renewal based on the same criteria. After a maximum of three such consecutive definite term appointments, a decision, based upon the above criteria, will be made whether or not to offer an indefinite appointment. If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position as a lateral transfer, retaining their current rank, step, salary, and definite or indefinite status.

Misc: INTERVIEWS: A search committee will review all applications and associated materials, interview candidates, and recommend individuals most suitable for the position. Candidates selected will be asked to come to Monterey County for an interview and seminar presentation. Travel expenses for interviews will be reimbursed according to University of California policy.

Documents:

Address: HOW TO APPLY: To be considered, applicants must submit the following four components (by hard copy) of the Application Packet: 1) Cover Letter indicating interest in the position. 2) UC-ANR Academic Application form—which can be downloaded in PDF format from our website (http://ccsr.ucdavis.edu/) 3) Brief resume. 4) College Level Transcripts (original transcripts preferred, however, legible photocopies of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts downloaded from websites will not be accepted.) Please do NOT send Letters of Reference. If you are selected for an interview, the Search Committee will contact the references you listed on the UC-ANR application form--a minimum of four (4), and a maximum of six (6) names, current addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Application and associated materials will not be returned to the applicant. To request a UC-ANR Academic Application packet, or For questions on the application process, contact us at: ccsracadrecruitment@ucdavis.edu or Phone (951) 827-2529 * * * * * For further questions on the position details, contact: Sonya Varea-Hammond, County Director (slvareahammond@ucdavis.edu) or Richard Smith, Search Committee Chair (rifsmith@ucdavis.edu) * * * * * Return completed application packet to: Debora Felix, c/o Academic Recruitment ANR - Central Coast & South Region, #213 University of California Riverside, CA 92521 Phone (951) 827-2529; Fax: (951) 827-2328 To download the UC-ANR Academic Application form, and related materials, visit our CCSR Regional website at: http://ccsr.ucdavis.edu Please refer to Position #ACCSO-07-07-R The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin St, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200 (510) 987-0096.

Website:

Salary:

Benefits: BENEFITS: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. A variety

Deadline: August 15, 2008