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Assistant Professor Soil Science Jobs in California

Support grower education and outreach efforts. * Assist with irrigation, nutrient, salinity, and ... Bachelor's degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related ...

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Assistant Professor Soil Science information

See California salary details

$41.9K

$79K

$133.2K

How much do assistant professor soil science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant professor soil science in California is $79,008.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $90,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of an assistant professor of soil science?

An Assistant Professor in Soil Science is responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to soil science, conducting original research, publishing findings in academic journals, and supervising student research projects. They also contribute to curriculum development, participate in departmental and university service, and often engage in outreach or extension activities to share expertise with the broader community. Additionally, they may secure research funding through grants and collaborate with other scientists on interdisciplinary projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant professor of soil science?

To excel as an Assistant Professor of Soil Science, you need an advanced degree (usually a Ph.D.) in soil science or a related field, with strong expertise in teaching, research, and scientific analysis. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, soil analysis software, GIS systems, and scientific publishing platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, collaboration, and mentorship abilities help you engage students, work with colleagues, and contribute to academic communities. These skills and qualifications are essential for advancing research, delivering high-quality education, and fostering innovation in soil science.

What are the typical collaboration opportunities for an assistant professor of soil science within a university setting?

As an Assistant Professor of Soil Science, you will frequently collaborate with colleagues from related disciplines such as agronomy, environmental science, and geology. These collaborations often involve interdisciplinary research projects, joint grant applications, and co-teaching courses. You may also work closely with extension specialists, graduate students, and local stakeholders to address regional soil management challenges. Such teamwork not only enriches your research but also broadens your professional network and can lead to leadership roles in larger projects.

What is the difference between Assistant Professor Soil Science vs Soil Scientist?

AspectAssistant Professor Soil ScienceSoil Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree in Soil Science or related field, academic credentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, specialized training or certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research universities, teaching and research rolesGovernment agencies, environmental consulting firms, research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, research institutionsEnvironmental agencies, consulting firms, research organizations
Common Search & ComparisonAcademic roles, research, teachingEnvironmental assessment, land management, research

While both roles involve soil science expertise, an Assistant Professor Soil Science primarily focuses on teaching, research, and academic responsibilities within universities. In contrast, a Soil Scientist typically works in applied settings such as government or consulting firms, focusing on environmental assessments, land use, and soil analysis. The credentials overlap in education, but the work environment and job focus differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Professor Soil Science jobs in California?

For Assistant Professor Soil Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Professor Soil Science jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assistant Professor Soil Science job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Professor Soil Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,008 per year, or $38 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Summary

Provost & Pritchard is seeking a Soil Scientist to join our agricultural and environmental consulting team in Visalia, California.


This position offers the opportunity to work on meaningful projects at the intersection of agriculture, water quality, irrigation, nutrient management, salinity, wastewater management, and environmental consulting throughout Central California. Clients include growers, dairies, wineries, food processors, agricultural organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies.


We are looking for someone that wants to support California agriculture and water resources management through practical, effective, and data-driven solutions.


Responsibilities

  • Support agricultural water quality and environmental compliance programs such as the California Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP).
  • Support groundwater and surface water quality monitoring programs.
  • Analyze and interpret agricultural, soil, irrigation, nutrient, and environmental data.
  • Prepare technical reports, regulatory deliverables, data summaries, visualizations, and trend analyses.
  • Evaluate and support improved agricultural management practices to protect water quality.
  • Support grower education and outreach efforts.
  • Assist with irrigation, nutrient, salinity, and wastewater management planning.
  • Support wastewater, land application, and beneficial reuse projects.
  • Conduct field sampling and site investigations involving soil, water, wastewater, crops, ponds, wells, and vadose zones.
  • Evaluate soil-water, nutrient, and salt balances using Microsoft Excel and programming tools.
  • Prepareregulatorymonitoring reports andpermittingdocuments, including Reports of Waste Discharge.
  • Assist with field investigations involving soil infiltration and permeability testing.
  • Assist with agronomic field trials, fate and transport projects, and other specialized soil, land use, and agricultural consulting projects.
  • Assist with projects related to agricultural grants, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS), stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, and TMDL implementation.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field required.
  • Strong interest in a career in agriculture, soil science, irrigation, and water quality.
  • Excellent technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Experience or interest in environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, and project management.
  • Some experience in data analysis and data QAQC.
  • Experienced with Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Strong initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
  • Knowledge of California agricultural, environmental, and wastewater regulations, including the Central Valley ILRP, Central Coast Ag Order 4.0, SGMA, CV-SALTS, Winery General Order, and others.
  • Experience with tools such as GIS, R/RStudio, Python, remote sensing, data analysis and visualization, and related AI tools.
  • Familiarity with irrigation, evapotranspiration, nutrient management, salinity management, and/or soil-water balances and hydrologic modeling.
  • Experience in environmental statistics, analytical laboratory methods, and data QA/QC procedures.

Professional Development

Although not required, Provost & Pritchard supports professional development toward credentials such as Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Professional Engineer (PE), Professional Geologist (PG), and others.


Why Join Provost & Pritchard

Join a collaborative, employee-owned firm where your work supports California agriculture, water resources, and environmental sustainability. You will have the opportunity to build technical expertise, work on diverse projects, and grow your career with mentorship and support.