Posts Tagged: detection

Citrus Canine Manager Postion Available

Interested Parties should email a resume to jobs@citrusresearch.org

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019

CALIFORNIA CITRUS RESEARCH BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: CRB Canine Project Manager

REPORTS TO: CRB President

CLASSIFICATION: Regular – 12 month, exempt, at-will or Independent Contractor

LOCATION: Riverside, CA or Remote

WORK HOURS: Typically Monday through Friday; frequent extended hours and weekends, travel subject to operational demands

SUMMARY: The Citrus Research Board Canine Project Manager provides important support to the CRB for follow-through and implementation of a strategic plan developed by citrus HLB diagnostic stakeholders to transition canines for use and commercialization in California. Problem-solving, communications, writing, priority setting, time management and business development skills are necessary.

The Citrus Research Program(a.k.a. Citrus Research Board) is a grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as a mechanism for enabling the California citrus growers to sponsor and support needed scientific and technical research to further the goals of the California citrus industry. The program is administered by the Citrus Research Board, which is commonly referred to as the CRB.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Serve as the lead support staff for the implementation of the strategic plan described in the summary above.
• Work as a liaison with the detector canine owners (USDA-APHIS), trainers (F1 K9), researchers and California citrus HLB diagnostic stakeholders (CRB, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program/Committee, California Citrus Mutual and others) to communicate progress in implementation of the plan.
• Serve as a member of the CRB staff, unless established and designated as an independent contractor.
• Under the direction of the President and/or the Chief Research Scientist, write “white papers”, reports, concept documents and other canine detector-related documents.
• Provide staff and organizational assistance to the HLB Detector Canine Transition Team. This involves working with representatives of the various stakeholder groups, researchers, government officials and others.
• Draft transition team meeting notices and agendas. Prepare and submit minutes in a timely, correct and professional manner.
• Provide vision, ownership, accountability and leadership for project management. Details include involvement in strategic planning, follow-through on the subsequent strategic plan, reporting to the CRB and other stakeholder groups, negotiating contract terms with vendors and commercialization of the canine detector teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Research Scientist and/or the President.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Clear, effective written and oral communication.
• Self-starter and can-do spirit with pride in the outcome of the final project.
• Leadership, thoroughness, accuracy, objectivity and integrity.
• Knowledge, experience and ability to relate the science of HLB detector canines to the citrus industry and the public in order to establish their credibility and gain confidence in them as an early detection technology.
• Ethical conduct and the ability to exercise confidentiality.
• Ability to create, organize and publish data.
• Ability to meet deadlines and organizational goals.

 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

B.A. or B.S. in a relevant science field is required. PhD preferred. Industry experience in science communication, entrepreneurial commercialization, and/or research project management may be substituted. Solid experience and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, DropBox, Office 365, PowerPoint and Excel is strongly advised. Must have legal authorization to work in the U. S.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and clean driving record.
• Frequent out-of-town, multi-day business trips will be necessary.
• Preparing and delivering oral presentations and written progress reports.
• Ability to work both independently and in group settings for problem-solving, coordination and collaboration.
• Competent use of standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, database management software, telephones and photocopiers.
• Lifting of boxes and other field materials weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to spend significant time in citrus orchards and training facilities, including the observation of canine detector teams during extended periods of heat and cold.

 

EOE STATEMENT:

The Citrus Research Board is an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or veteran status or other characteristics protected by the law.

dog sniffing

Follow Citrus Science

California citrus farmers have their ears perked for all news related to Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing (HLB) disease, but the very latest advances have been available only in highly technical research journals, often by subscription only.

UC Cooperative Extension scientists are now translating the high science into readable summaries and posting them on a new website called Science for Citrus Health to inform farmers, the media and interested members of the public.

“The future of the California citrus depends on scientists finding a solution to this pest and disease before they destroy the industry,” said Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UC Cooperative Extension citrus entomology specialist. “Our farmers want to stay on top of all the efforts to stop this threat.”

Grafton-Cardwell and UC Cooperative Extension biotechnology specialist Peggy Lemaux are the two scientists behind the new website. When scientists make progress toward their goals, Grafton-Cardwell and Lemaux craft one-page summaries with graphics and pictures to provide readers with the basics.

For example, the website outlines scientific endeavors aimed at stopping the spread of huanglongbing disease by eliminating the psyllid's ability to transfer the bacterial infection. This section is titled NuPsyllid, and contains summaries of three research papers including one by UC Davis plant pathologist Bryce Falk.

Falk is collecting viruses found in Asian citrus psyllid; so far he has identified five. He is looking into the potential to utilize one of the viruses as is or modify one of the viruses to block the psyllid's ability to transmit the bacterium.  For example, the virus might out compete the bacterium in the psyllid's body.   

Another focus of the website is HLB early detection techniques (EDTs). If HLB-infected trees are found and destroyed before they show symptoms, ACP is less likely to spread the disease to other trees. EDT research described on the website includes efforts to detect subtle changes in the tree that take place soon after infection, such as alterations in the scents that waft from the tree (studied by UC Davis engineer Cristina Davis), changes in the proteins in the tree (studied by UC Davis food scientist Carolyn Slupsky) and starch accumulation in the leaves (studied by UC farm advisor Ali Pourreza).

Other research areas on the Science for Citrus Health website are solutions for established orchardsand replants.

As more research is published, more one-page descriptions will be added to the website. The website contains a feedback form to comment on the science and the summaries.

Photo:  ACP traps

ACP traps

New ACP/HLB Research Resource Available

The University of California launched the Science for Citrus Health website to keep the citrus industry abreast of research currently being conducted to protect citrus from Huanglongbing. The site highlights research approaches, challenges and opportunities in a variety of areas that aim to provide mid- and long-term solutions to the disease.

check it out:

http://ucanr.edu/sites/scienceforcitrushealth/Research_Approaches/

HLB symptoms

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