
Environmental Horticulture Advisor (25-14)
Open date: May 13, 2025
Next review date: Sunday, Jun 22, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Next review date: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)?Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Environmental Horticulture Advisor, at the Assistant rank. The Environmental Horticulture Advisor is responsible for educational and applied research programs covering a wide array of disciplines for Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties. Common challenges faced in all three counties include the maintenance of water quality and supply, efficient disposal and recycling of green waste, reduction of pesticide use in the face of the expansion of an increasingly urbanized population of plant diseases and pests that have had considerable impacts on the ecosystems and economies of both counties.
UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research results to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, community partnerships, presentations, organization of educational workshops, youth events, and short courses. 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: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE office in Marin County, located at 1682 Novato Boulevard, Suite 150-B, Novato, CA 94947
Position Details
The Environmental Horticulture Advisor conducts collaborative extension education and applied research programs in Marin, Napa and Sonoma Counties, with other University/UCANR academics, staff and /or local stakeholders. Research and education topics for this position cover a wide array of disciplines categorized under the heading of environmental horticulture, such as: arboriculture, integrated pest management (including plant pathology, entomology and invasive weeds), horticulture, soils, green waste recycling, irrigation and residential defensible space for fire. Solutions are focused on community-oriented goals, including work done to protect California's natural resources, build more resilient communities and landscapes and build a more qualified landscaping workforce in the Bay Area.
The advisor supports a broad array of commercial firms and professional organizations local agencies and government personnel, and conservation groups and other non-governmental organizations with information via consultation, technology transfer, communication and liaison activities This position also assumes administrative and advisor responsibilities for the UC Marin and Napa Master Gardener programs, with an aim toward expanded understanding of science-based environmental horticulture practice for area property owners and managers. By working with local stakeholders and UCANR staff, the Environmental Horticulture Advisor provides information in support of workable solutions to key environmental issues faced by Marin, Napa and Sonoma County governments, businesses and residents.
Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in Marin County and will serve Marin, Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Director for Marin, Napa and Sonoma Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: A minimum of a master's degree is required in horticulture, plant pathology, entomology or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications
- Experience in conducting applied, impact-oriented research in topics related to environmental horticulture.
- 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 the vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle. Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.
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, and teaching experience and appropriate scholarly achievements.
- Interest in and a 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 career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
Desired Experience
- Experience working with stakeholders in the environmental horticulture community.
- Experience working with governmental agencies, elected officials, regional audiences including local elected officials, horticultural organizations, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.
- Experience working with adult volunteers involved with Master Gardeners program.
How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #25-14). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.