Jr Specialist Citrus IPM Research (22-70)

The Junior Specialist for Citrus Integrated Pest Management will support Area Citrus IPM Advisor working on arthropod pest management issues in California citrus by providing greenhouse, laboratory, and field support in research and outreach projects related to insects and mites. Work duties include establishing and maintaining research field plots, establishing and maintaining greenhouse research, assisting staff research associates in establishing and maintaining insects and mite colonies, data gathering in the field and greenhouse, collecting field samples, applying pesticides and other agrochemicals, data gathering, summary, and analysis. The Junior Specialist must have skills to be able to identify citrus pests should be familiar with the citrus production area of the San Joaquin Valley, understand citrus production systems, and should be able to communicate effectively with clientele and other academics via phone, email, and in person. The Junior Specialist should be able to work independently, work with staff research associate, supervise lab assistants, students, interns, or other employees, and maintain clear and organized records of all field work and samples collected. The clientele served by this position is the California citrus industry, specifically citrus growers and Pest Control Advisors.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist communicating with agrochemical companies and plan insecticide trials.  Monitor citrus blocks at Lindcove/grower fields, establish research plots, and apply treatments.  Write/update standard operating procedures for research experiments. Jr. Specialist Lindcove REC  Collect arthropod samples from field trials and timely process them in the laboratory.  Assist in greenhouse rearing of plants, insect, and mite colonies.  Oversee Brevipalpus californicus and Brevipalpus lewisi colony maintenance, communicate with collaborators to plan research trials.  Communicate relevant information on citrus IPM to clientele during field interactions.

Reporting Relationship: The Jr. Specialist is administratively responsible to the Area IPM Citrus CE Advisor at Lindcove Research and Extension Center.

Required Qualifications Education:

A Bachelor’s degree or other advanced degrees in disciplines such as entomology, plant science or a closely related field is required by the appointment date. Field research experience preferred. Skills Required: To be successful, Jr. Specialists require skills in the following:

Professional Competence and Activity 

The Junior Specialist will participate in outreach activities, helping academics organize and conduct clientele meetings and field days, prepare extension publications, contribute to blogs, newsletters and other forms of outreach.

Communication 

Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and public speaking communication skills.  Skills to communicate and extend technical information to diverse audiences are required.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility 

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with others.  Able to adapt as circumstances warranted. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement.

Desired Qualifications: 

Familiarity with citrus production systems and citrus-integrated pest management. Ability to work on multiple projects at a given time shifting priorities to fit in time-sensitive projects.

About UC ANR The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the California. We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.  

About UC ANR

The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the California. We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.  The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, 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 will be in the Jr. Specialist Rank, For information regarding the Jr. Specialist series salary scales, please refer to: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2022-23/july2022-salary-scales/t24-b.pdf This is a represented position. The Jr. Specialist position is a one-year definite term appointment at 100%. The performance in the position will be evaluated prior to the appointment end date. At that time, the position may be extended based on performance, continued need for the appointment and availability of funding. 

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. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #22-70)

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by December 12, 2022; open until filled.

Questions? Please contact Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu