Cooperative Extension Area Orchard Systems Advisor; Almond, Pistachio, Peaches, Apricots AP

Cooperative Extension Area Orchard Systems Advisor (Almond, Pistachio, Peaches, Apricots) AP 24‑26

International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) /
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)

Application Window
:
Open date:
October 30, 2025;
Next review date:
Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 11:59 pm (Pacific Time);
Final date:
Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 11:59 pm (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.

Location
: 3800 Cornucopia Way, #A, Modesto, CA 95358. Headquarters in the UCCE Office in Stanislaus County; service counties are Stanislaus and San Joaquin.

Position Overview
:
The UC Cooperative Extension Area Orchard Systems Advisor serves Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The successful candidate will implement an innovative multi‑county extension education and applied research program focusing on almonds and pistachios in Stanislaus County and peaches and apricots in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Disciplinary focus includes orchard production systems, nutrient management, pest management, water efficiency, and soil fertility and health.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and the extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs‑based, mission‑oriented, and focused on addressing our communities’ challenges. Extension activities are educational practices advisors use to share research results directly with their clientele and communities. Increased knowledge and understanding of science‑based research helps to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies that solve problems.

Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits. 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, curriculums, 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.

Position Details
:
The Area Orchard Systems Advisor will support the ANR Public Values of “Promoting economic prosperity in California” through increases in agriculture efficiency and profitability; “Protecting California’s natural resources” by improving land management, soil quality, agricultural sustainability, water quality, and water use efficiency; and “Building climate‑resilient communities and ecosystems” by increasing resilience to extreme weather and climate change by improving water resiliency with on‑farm practices such as groundwater recharge and recycling water and biomass.

The advisor will develop an applied research program to address critical issues facing orchard crops. These include irrigation and fertigation efficiency, rootstock and variety evaluation, cropping efficiency, overcoming salt and soil chemistry challenges, soil health and cover cropping, invasive disease epidemics and use of plant growth regulators to help overcome issues related to climate change. Priorities may include fruit harvest mechanization to address labor shortages, canopy size and structure to facilitate harvest efficiency, and fertilization strategies to optimize fruit size, yield, and quality.

There is strong support from the local industry that will allow the new advisor to address high‑profile policy issues (e.g. Flood Managed Aquifer Recharge and Climate Smart Ag) such as fertilizer and irrigation management concerns that are facing additional regulation in coming years but are…