Applications will be accepted for the position through November 15, 2026, at 11:59pm.

To apply – please visit UC Recruit and choose “applicants” (refer to position
#24-24). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.

For more information about the position, qualifications, and salary, click here.

Application Window

Position Overview

UC ANR invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor at the Assistant rank, serving Imperial and Riverside Counties.

The Advisor will run a multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on the biology, ecology, and management of agriculturally important weeds in the low desert cropping systems of Imperial and Riverside Counties. Those systems include:

• Agronomic crops: alfalfa, wheat, Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, bermudagrass, Kleingrass, and oilseed crops
• Cool-season vegetable and specialty crops

Working with local growers, UCCE Advisors and Specialists, and other partners, the Advisor will develop weed control strategies and share information on effective management practices.

What UCCE Advisors Do

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extending knowledge. Research is needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on community challenges. Extension is how advisors share research results directly with clientele and communities.

Extension methods may include:

• Individual consultations and presentations
• Educational workshops and short courses
• Field demonstrations and farm/site visits
• Radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media

Publications are expected in formats such as:

• Newsletters and popular press articles
• Curricula and conference proceedings
• Peer-reviewed publications

Successful programs produce new information that leads to adoption of new skills, practices, and attitudes, and to changes in policies and environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions.

Advisors are evaluated on four criteria:

1. Extending knowledge
2. Applied research and creative activity
3. Professional competence and activity
4. University and public service

Headquarters: UC Cooperative Extension Office, Imperial County
1050 E. Holton Road, Holtville, CA 92250

Position Details

Low desert agricultural areas in Southeastern California are dynamic, diverse, and challenging. Mild winters, long growing seasons, and irrigation access make them some of the state’s most productive areas. Planting and harvest cycles differ substantially from the rest of California, so locally generated production information matters.

Research scope:

• Covers the Imperial, Coachella, and Palo Verde Valleys, which produce 100+ commodities year-round
• Addresses weed biology, ecology, and management techniques
• Targets noxious, invasive, and herbicide-resistant weeds

Collaborators and support:

• UC ANR academics, Program Teams, and Workgroups
• CE and AES specialists and researchers at UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC Berkeley
• USDA ARS scientists, community groups, neighboring state agricultural agents and specialists
• Community colleges and state universities

Encouraged local partnerships:

• County of Imperial Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures
• County of Riverside Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures
• Imperial Weed Management Area (WMA) and Low Desert WMA groups
• California Invasive Plant Council

Dissemination channels:

• Consultations, grower and industry meeting presentations, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations
• UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, newsletters
• Technical reports to commodity boards and funding agencies
• Electronic tools (online learning, web content systems, social media, impact and evaluation tools)
• Specialized and public media outlets

Key clientele:

• Commercial farms (large and small)
• Pest control advisers and allied industries
• Commodity groups and seed companies
• Conservation/environmental groups and public agencies
• Consumers, plus a growing home gardening audience

Counties of responsibility: Imperial and Riverside

Reporting relationship: Reports directly to the UCCE Director for Imperial and San Diego Counties, with input from the UCCE Director for Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. This is not a remote position. The advisor must work onsite at headquarters and travel to the other assigned county. Office hours and fieldwork expectations will be set by the supervisors upon hire.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Master’s degree (minimum) in weed science, agronomy, botany, or a related field at time of appointment

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in crop production and weed management or a related field
• Must possess, or obtain within one year, a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) before applying or supervising pesticide application
• Capacity to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with UC ANR values
• Technical competence and impact: understands key weed ecology and management concepts; can design a program that creates positive community impact
• Communication: demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and IT communication
• Collaboration, teamwork, and flexibility: works well with external stakeholders, county staff, and UC ANR colleagues
• Lifelong learning: continues to grow and adapt to changes in industry, clientele, and the organization

Desired Experience

• Successful Extension programming or community development
• Deep understanding of agronomy and weed management
• Ability to tailor complex information to different audiences

Additional Requirements

• Not a remote position
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule; proof of liability and property damage insurance on the vehicle is required
• Valid California Driver’s License (or ability to obtain one) to drive County or University vehicles
• Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. Visa sponsorship isn’t available for new employment-based petitions; limited support may exist for eligible visa transfers. Internal UC ANR applicants can contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.
• Must meet appointment criteria for the UC academic title series and document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and scholarly achievements per UC Academic Personnel Manuals
• Misconduct disclosure: finalists must disclose any final administrative or judicial findings of misconduct in the last seven years, current misconduct investigations, leaving a position during an investigation, or appeals filed with a previous employer. Related policies:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • APM-035

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California that connects local issues with UC expertise through research-based information, educational programs, and technical support in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. It’s part of the nationwide Cooperative Extension network that began in the early 20th century.

Over 180 UCCE Advisors work out of county-based offices in 70+ locations, serving all 58 California counties.

Learn more:

• UC ANR home · Mission and Vision · 2040 Vision (PDF)
• Statewide Programs
• Program Areas and Program Teams
• Condition Changes
• Office of Civil Rights
• Principles of Community

About Imperial and Riverside Counties

Imperial County

• About 180,000 residents
• Seven cities: Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland
• Eight unincorporated communities: Bombay Beach, Heber, Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde, Salton City, Seeley, and Winterhaven
• Produces half of the nation’s winter vegetables
• Major renewable resources (geothermal, wind, solar)
• Recreation highlights: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

Riverside County

• 4th-largest county in California by population and land area; 10th-most populous in the U.S.
• 7,300+ square miles, 2.4 million residents
• Crops include nursery stock, dairy, avocados, citrus, dates, alfalfa, and vegetables
• Home to UC Riverside (26,000+ students), which started as the Citrus Experiment Station
• 55 miles east of Los Angeles, 90 miles north of San Diego

Salary and Benefits

Salary: Assistant Rank, Step I ($89,100) to Step VI ($113,000). Step placement depends on applicable experience and qualifications. See the UC salary scales (PDF).

• Current UCCE Advisors keep their rank, step, salary, and appointment terms, and may retain indefinite status
• Eligible for indefinite status after three successful reviews, per Section 315 of the UC ANR Policy Manual
• Current UCCE Specialists with indefinite status may retain it

Benefits:

• 2 days paid vacation per month
• 1 day paid sick leave per month
• Paid holidays
• Sabbatical leave eligibility
• UC Family-Friendly Policies
• Full details at UCnet Benefits

How to Apply

1. Visit recruit.ucanr.edu and choose “Applicants”
2. Select position #24-24
3. An in-person finalist interview may be required

Alternate application link: apptrkr.com/9881864

Closing date: Packets must be received by November 15, 2026 for full consideration (open until filled).

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae: most recent version
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research and Extension Interests: how your current or past research and extension experience applies to local community needs, with examples of potential goals and outcomes
• References: one page listing 3 to 5 references with phone numbers and email addresses (contact info only)
• College-level transcripts: electronic or legible scanned PDFs showing coursework, grades, degrees conferred, and confer dates. No password-protected files.

Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu

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As a University employee, you’ll be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements. Federal, state, or local directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration 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.

Since January 1, 2014, ANR has been a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Smoking, smokeless tobacco, and unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) are prohibited.