Job Listings Title:
Environmental Horticulture Advisor - University of California ANR
Post Date
12/9/2025
Expiration Date
3/9/2026
Details:
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Environmental Horticulture Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties.
The Environmental Horticulture Advisor is responsible for educational and applied research programs covering a wide array of disciplines for Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. Challenges faced in all three counties include maintaining water quality and supply, efficiently disposing of and recycling green waste, and reducing pesticide use in the face of an increasingly urbanized population of plant diseases and pests that impact the ecosystems and economies of the three-county area.
UCCE Advisors are responsible for conducting applied research and extending knowledge. Research activities are applied and mission-oriented, focused on addressing challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational methods that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities, increasing knowledge and understanding of science-based research that promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve local problems. Extension activities may include individual farm consultations, presentations, or organizing educational workshops, short courses, and field demonstrations. Information may also be disseminated through various channels, such as radio, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, social media, and other outlets. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, articles for the popular press, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals.
Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding, and eventual adoption of new skills or practices, changed attitudes or policies, and improved environmental, economic, or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: 1) extending knowledge, 2) applied research and creative activity, 3) professional competence and activity, and 4) university and public service.
This position will be headquartered in the UCCE office in Marin County, located at 1682 Novato Boulevard, Suite 150-B, Novato, CA 94947
The Environmental Horticulture Advisor conducts collaborative extension education and applied research programs in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties, in collaboration with other University/UCANR academics, staff, and local stakeholders. Research and education topics for this position cover a wide array of disciplines categorized under the heading of environmental horticulture, such as arboriculture, integrated pest management (including plant pathology, entomology, and invasive weeds), horticulture, soils, green waste recycling, irrigation, and residential defensible space for fire. Solutions are focused on community-oriented goals, including efforts to protect California’s natural resources, build more resilient communities and landscapes, and develop a more qualified landscaping workforce in the Bay Area.
The Advisor supports a broad array of commercial tree care and landscape design and maintenance clientele to address local landscape and environmental needs and threats. They also collaborate and partner with professional organizations, local agency and government personnel, conservation groups, and other non-governmental organizations with information via consultation, technology transfer, communication, and liaison activities This position also assumes academic oversight for the UC Marin and Napa Master Gardener Programs, with an aim toward expanded understanding of science-based environmental horticulture practices for area property owners and managers. By collaborating with local stakeholders and UC ANR staff, the Environmental Horticulture Advisor provides information to support workable solutions for key environmental issues faced by governments, businesses, and residents in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.
This position will serve Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties.
In this appointment, you will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties, with input from the Director of the Master Gardener Statewide Program. This is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in all three counties served. Upon hire, the supervisor will outline specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position.
Education:
A minimum of a master’s degree in horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications
• Experience in conducting applied, impact-oriented research and education in topics related to environmental horticulture.
• Capacity or potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs consistent with the values of UCANR.
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals [https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/academic-personnel-policy/appointment-and-promotion/index.html]. Applications need to document relevant. research, extension, teaching experience, and scholarly achievements.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver’s License to drive a county or university vehicle.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire.
• This is not a remote position.
Additional Skills Required
• An interest in and desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
• Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development of agricultural or horticultural science research and extension programs and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.
• Collaboration, Teamwork, and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to collaborate as a team member with key external stakeholders, county-based staff, and other colleagues within UC ANR.
• Lifelong Learning: Advisors are expected to continually evolve and grow throughout their careers, adapting to changes in the horticultural industry, their clientele, and organizational structure.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. “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.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
[https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH]
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
[https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination]
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
[https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf]
Desired Experience
• Experience working with stakeholders and clientele in the environmental horticulture community
• Experience working with governmental agencies, elected officials, and regional audiences, including local elected officials, horticultural organizations, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies
• Experience working with adult volunteers
If interested in this position, please visit:[https://recruit.ucanr.edu/apply] and choose “applicants” (refer to position #25-14)
To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 31, 2026– (open until filled)