Cooperative Extension Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor Serving Imperial and Riverside

Cooperative Extension Area Low Desert Weed Management Advisor Serving Imperial and Riverside Counties Description of Duties

Low desert agricultural production areas in southeastern California are dynamic, diverse, and challenging. They encompass some of the state’s most productive areas due to their mild winters, extended growing seasons, and access to irrigation water. Crop planting and harvesting cycles reflect the arid nature of the southwest and differ substantially from those in the rest of California. Accordingly, it is important that agricultural production information be locally generated.

Weed management is a critical area for applied research in this unique growing area. The Advisor will develop applied weed management research locally and in partnerships with collaborators. It is expected that applied research will cover the low desert agricultural areas of Imperial and Riverside Counties, including the Imperial, Coachella, and Palo Verde Valleys, which produce more than 100 commodities year‑round.

Research is expected to address weed management practices, including weed biology, ecology, and other weed management techniques. Low desert crops are infested with various weeds, including noxious and invasive weeds, as well as those resistant to herbicides. Weed management research programs will be developed and carried out in collaboration with UC ANR academics and appropriate statewide efforts, including UC ANR Program Teams and Work groups, local stakeholders, and other collaborating industries in and Riverside Counties.

The Advisor is expected to collaborate with other Cooperative Extension (CE) and Agricultural Extension Stations (AES) researchers and educators to conduct research and education programs that address the issues within weed management and related disciplines. The advisor will be supported by CE and AES specialists and researchers at UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC Berkeley. Additionally, the Advisor will also collaborate with USDA ARS scientists, community groups, neighboring state agricultural agents and specialists, relevant community colleges, and state universities.

Partnering/collaborating with local agencies, County of Imperial Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures, County of Riverside Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures, Imperial Weed Management Area (WMA) groups, Low Desert WMA groups, and California Invasive Plant Council is also encouraged.

Science‑based research results and other educational information will be disseminated using a variety of methods including individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations, UC ANR publications, peer‑reviewed journal articles, newsletters, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, and an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools (such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools), along with specialized and public media outlets.

The advisor will collaborate with other local UCCE Advisors to organize educational extension events and workshops.

Key clientele will include commercial farms (both large and small), pest control advisers, allied industries, commodity groups, seed companies, conservation/environmental groups, public agencies, and consumers. The growing popularity of home gardening in Imperial and Riverside Counties may create an opportunity to reach urban and gardening clientele.

The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content and make a difference within local communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is limitless.

• Knowledge and experience in crop production and weed management or a related field.
• The CE Advisor must possess or obtain within one year a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) prior to applying or supervising the application of any pesticide.
• Capacity or potential to accomplish team‑based research and…