JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Agronomy and Weed Management Advisor
County Location: Merced County
Date Posted: April 7, 2020
Closing Date: May 31, 2020
Location Headquarters: Merced, California
For more information, visit https://ucanr.edu/about/jobs/?jobnum
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Merced County is looking for an agronomy and weed management advisor to work with growers and consultants in Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.
A large area but the agronomy work will be concentrated in Merced and Stanislaus.
An agronomy advisor works with field crops and in Merced and Stanislaus Counties, those crops include cotton, wheat, corn, alfalfa, beans, and irrigated pasture. Merced County has about 40,000 acres of cotton, 50,000 acres of alfalfa, and 100,000 acres of corn. The estimated value of all field crops in is $382 million (based on the 2018 Agricultural Commissioner's report.) Stanislaus County's field crop value is estimated at $212 million. Examples of the current weed management issues include glyphosate resistant weeds (such as fleabane, pigweed, and barnyard grass) and field bindweed control. Both the cost and availability of labor is resulting in innovative mechanical and robotic weed management tools being developed, tested, and used by growers.
A farm advisor has a unique role in California agriculture. The advisor works as consultant, researcher, educator, applicator, problem solver, and project manager. One of the main job duties is to provide information to growers and consultants on improving agriculture production. The advisor does this by conducting on-farm research projects, direct consultation, and through extension events like meetings and field days. The position is very much “boots in the field”--for example, the successful candidate may organize, design, and apply herbicides for a weed management trial. The advisor may need to meet growers and consultants to walk through fields and take samples for disease diagnostics. During the off-season, the advisor will attend and give presentations at various commodity and pest management meetings.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being outside, working with people, conducting applied research, and providing practical solutions to solve local problems in agriculture.
This position will be based in Merced, CA and includes an office, computer, office support, warehouse and equipment, and a new truck. As part of the larger UC system, UC Cooperative Extension offers an excellent benefits package which includes health, vision, and dental insurance, vacation, and retirement plan. Merced is a growing community in the central part of California and includes the 10th and newest UC campus. Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, and the central coast are about a 2-hour drive away.
Please use the link below to view the position vacancy announcement and the specific job requirements and responsibilities. Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2020. UCCE is an equal opportunity employer.
Agronomy and Weed Management Advisor (AP 20-06)
County Location: Merced County
Date Posted: April 7, 2020
Closing Date: May 31, 2020
Location Headquarters: Merced, California
For more information, visit https://ucanr.edu/about/jobs/?jobnum
