Small Farms Water Conservation Staff Research Associate 3 Fresno, CA, Job ID 78493 University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Small Farms Water Conservation Staff Research Associate 3 Fresno, CA, Job ID 78493

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The Research Associate will support research, technical assistance, outreach, and education activities for on-farm water and energy conservation and nutrient management on small-scale, diversified farms. The activities are focused in Fresno County, with additional outreach to Madera and Tulare Counties, and will also inform statewide small farms programming. Activities for this position are part of an applied research and extension program focused on both economic viability and environmental sustainability of small-scale production systems in a landscape where there is a complex food, water, energy, and climate nexus. Current research and technical assistance projects focus on water and energy conservation, irrigation scheduling, nutrient management, use of soil moisture sensors, evaluation of emerging technologies, compliance with groundwater regulation, and on-farm groundwater recharge.

The Research Associate will contribute to planning and coordination of field and laboratory research trials, on-farm evaluations, data analysis, and interpretation of research results. Duties will also include dissemination of research and technical assistance outcomes in research, extension, and policy outlets, such as scientific journals, professional society meetings, and extension events. The Research Associate will also support outreach and education to small farmers, including one-on-one assistance, tailgates, and workshops. The work is largely conducted in collaboration with farmers and small farms team members. The Research Associate will work under the general supervision of the Small Farms Water Conservation Academic Coordinator in Fresno and Madera Counties. The Research Associate will also collaborate with the Small Farms team that is supervised by the Small Farms and Specialty Crops Advisor in Fresno and Madera Counties, along with the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP). These collaborations will involve other research and extension staff within and beyond Fresno County, as well as collaborators outside of the UC system (e.g., other universities, NGOs, agencies, etc.). Responsibilities also include communication and coordination with farmers participating in on-farm research and technical assistance programs, with support from bilingual staff when appropriate. Serves as a working lead for staff assisting with research trials which may include students, technicians, per diem assistants, or additional staff positions.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $66,437.42/year to $ 85,911.45/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 6/16/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

40%

Research & Technical Assistance Field Support:

• Provide research support including co-developing research methods and protocols, providing research oversight, and independently conducting research.
• Make decisions on scheduling and prioritizing research, extension, and technical assistance tasks across several projects to balance workloads and accomplish project goals.
• Coordinate research and extension field work involving multiple staff and collaborators and manage communications with participating farmers.
• Travel to participating farms for data collection, soil and water sampling, and technical assistance.

20%

Outreach and Education:

• Prepare and conduct extension presentations at farmer field days and extension meetings.
• Support one-on-one farmer training and education.
• Participate in planning outreach and extension efforts to address farmer needs and challenges.
• Summarize research findings for newsletters and trade journal articles.
• Review educational materials prepared by other team members to ensure accuracy.

15%

Data Management and Analysis:

• Coordinate data collection and entry and ensure quality and accuracy of data.
• Conduct statistical analyses of datasets and prepare summary statistics, tables and graphs.
• Draft written reports of research methods and results to be developed into scientific journal articles and extension publications.
• Evaluate extension and technical assistance outcomes, and implications for broader programmatic and research needs.
• Independently write and present reports. Assist in preparing and reviewing drafts of papers and posters to ensure accuracy.

15%

Writing and Publications:

• Conduct literature reviews and summarize literature relevant to research and extension projects.
• Prepare and publish peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Prepare extension publications to disseminate research results.

10%

Grant Management:

• Track and report research-related expenses on grant-funded projects.
• Prepare summaries and reports for funding agencies.
• Assist the Small Farms Water Conservation Academic Coordinator in seeking out opportunities for new funding and developing new grant proposals.

Requirements:

• BA/BS degree in the agricultural, biological, or environmental sciences or engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience with field research methods relevant to conservation, management, and/or monitoring of water resources in agricultural or natural ecosystems.
• Strong quantitative skills and experience in data collection, input, and analysis.
• Ability to conduct statistical analyses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work independently and seek guidance when needed.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills.
• Experience working in an agricultural setting or directly working with farmers or stakeholders.
• Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to make decisions quickly in adapting research methodology to changing field conditions.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in plant science, agricultural science, soil science, water resources, hydrology, agronomy, horticulture, agroecology, agricultural engineering, environmental science, or a related field and/or equivalent training/experience.
• Basic proficiency in one or more statistical analysis programs such as SAS, R, or SPSS.
• Demonstrated ability to independently utilize scientific literature, online databases, and other relevant resources to apply to research projects and design of experiments.
• Prior experience in applied agricultural research.
• Strong knowledge of project management.
• Experience leading or coordinating activities of volunteers, staff, or students.
• Demonstrated skills and experience communicating research results to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with disadvantaged or underserved communities.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested.
• Overtime and occasional weekend work as needed, usually on short notice to meet operational needs may be requested.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. 'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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