Cooperative Extension Area Citrus Advisor

Serving Tulare, Fresno, and Madera Counties

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Advisor at the Assistant rank. The advisor will develop an innovative, multi-county applied research and extension education program to support the large citrus industry in Tulare, Fresno, and Madera Counties.

The advisor will develop problem-solving and educational programs that address high-priority challenges affecting citrus production, including warmer temperatures, reduced water availability, decreased water quality, and nutrient management. Research and extension solutions may include rootstock and cultivar selection, irrigation and soil management, and emerging innovative farming practices. In addition to developing horticultural solutions to production challenges, the incumbent will collaborate with colleagues in agricultural engineering, irrigation, plant pathology, entomology, and other relevant disciplines to address increasingly expensive production inputs (labor, water, nutrients, etc.), the threat of huanglongbing disease (HLB), and other emerging pests and diseases affecting California citrus production. A critical priority for citrus growers in the region is adapting to the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which is reshaping how water is allocated and managed throughout California. The advisor will provide research-based solutions and extension programming to help growers navigate evolving water regulations while maintaining crop productivity, fruit quality, and economic viability under water-supply constraints.

UCCE Advisors develop integrated applied research and extension programs that generate and deliver science-based solutions to address the needs of California's agricultural industries and communities. Research activities are needs-driven, mission-oriented, and focused on solving real-world challenges through collaboration and applied investigations. Extension is the educational process by which Advisors translate research findings into practical information and decision-support tools for growers, agricultural professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Extension activities may include organizing and presenting at educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, on-farm consultations, webinars, podcasts, radio programs, fact sheets, policy briefs, newsletters, news blogs, social media, and other outreach methods that expand access to research-based information. Advisors are expected to disseminate research findings through a variety of publication formats, including newsletters, popular-press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, extension publications, and peer-reviewed journals. 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, 4437 S. Laspina Street, Tulare, California 93274.

Position Details
Sustaining citrus production in Tulare, Fresno, and Madera Counties is critical to the long-term viability of the region's agricultural economy and the success of its citrus growers, many of whom are small-scale family farmers. Together, these three counties represent approximately 58% of California's citrus acreage, contributing billions of dollars to the regional economy and supporting thousands of jobs. Citrus is a high-value crop with the potential to sustain rural agricultural economies in the decades to come. However, citrus crops face increasingly complex challenges that require locally relevant research-based solutions. The advisor will develop an innovative applied research and extension program that addresses the citrus industry's priority needs, informed by stakeholder input and the advisor's expertise. Research and extension efforts may include, but are not limited to:
• Cultivar and rootstock development to improve productivity, fruit quality, and pest resilience
• High-density training systems and mechanical harvesting to improve labor efficiency
• Improved management of water resources in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act policies
• Integrated management of Asian Citrus psyllid and HLB, including evaluation of plant nutrition, irrigation management, plant growth regulators, and tolerant or resistant cultivars and rootstocks to improve tree health and resilience
• Integrated disease management, including strategies for disease prevention, early detection, and postharvest disease management.
• Climate-smart practices, including precision irrigation technology and approaches that optimize soil-water-nutrient-plant interactions to enhance resource use efficiency and long-term sustainability.

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, including growers, industry organizations such as California Citrus Mutual, and local farm bureaus.

Counties of Responsibility: This position has programmatic responsibilities for citrus production in Tulare, Fresno, and Madera Counties.

Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, the incumbent will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties, with input from the Director of the Fresno/Madera Cooperative Extension unit. 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 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(s).

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education

A minimum of a master's degree in horticulture, pomology, crop physiology, agroecology, plant nutrition, plant pathology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications
• 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
• 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 collaborate as a team member with key external stakeholders, county-based staff, and 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.

Additional Skills Required
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and provide evidence of success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals . Applications also need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• 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.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire and must maintain such authorization through the duration of the position. Internal UC ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at [email protected] .
• This is not a remote position.
• A background check will be required for the successful candidate. Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgment to comply with California law.
• 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.
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Affirmative Action

Desired Experience
• Experience in building collaborative partnerships and working effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• Experience developing partnerships and collaborative programs that advance climate resilience, resource conservation, and sustainable agricultural production.
• 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 from competitive grants
• Expertise in orchard crops, with preference given to candidates with experience in citrus production systems
• Experience conducting outreach and extension programming for diverse audiences, including growers and other agricultural professionals.
• Spanish language skills

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($89,100) to Step VI ($113,000). Step placemen