Livestock Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor, serving Mariposa and Merced counties. The successful candidate will implement an extension education and applied problem-solving research program in livestock production systems including grazing management, pasture and range management, nutrition, herd health, animal husbandry, genetic selection, reproduction, harvesting/processing and marketing.
UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with 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, and farm 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.
Location Headquarters: UCCE Mariposa County, 5009 Fairgrounds Road, Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338
Position Details
This is an exciting position with the opportunity to work with established clientele in Mariposa and Merced Counties. The Advisor, collaborating with other CE advisors, campus-based specialists, AES faculty, and clientele will help implement management practices that improve livestock production in the region. Key opportunity areas to address include livestock production, animal health, range and pasture improvement, meat processing and marketing, water quality, soil quality, and ecosystem health. Species most emphasized are cattle, but also include sheep, goats, and small-scale poultry. There are ample opportunities fo collaborations, including with the UC Davis Dept. of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine and ANR Program Teams (e.g., Meat Production and Food Safety, Forest and Rangeland Systems, and Diversified Farming and Food Systems) as well as other programs that may include water, natural resources and crop production.
The Advisor will work with new and existing producers to develop educational outreach programs and research that address challenges to help support the diverse livestock community. Farm Bureau and local cattlemen's associations provide quick avenues to become trusted and embedded within the community. These opportunities are important because they provide the avenue to create relationships that enable ANR to become part of the local community.
The Advisor is expected to implement a variety of extension activities to extend science-based education to clientele on livestock management practices to enhance production efficiency and ranch profitability, and help
minimize any negative impacts associated with livestock production. Managing ecosystems, while not a new opportunity, is an area where UC is well positioned to provide leadership and generate success. Key clientele groups include livestock producers, public resource management agencies (NRCS, California Dept of Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Resource Conservation Districts), nonprofit conservation organizations (such as The Nature Conservancy, fire safe councils, local watershed councils, land trusts and other non-government organizations) and a number of youth groups (4-H, FFA, and Grange). Collaboration with these groups will identify issues and opportunities for extension of livestock and land management information using seminars, workshops, field days, internet resources and producer-oriented and peer-reviewed publications.
Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Mariposa office, CA and will also serve Merced County.
Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area County Director of UCCE Mariposa and Merced Counties.
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 other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: The successful applicant will have a minimum of a master's degree in animal science, range management or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment. In lieu of a range management degree the applicant would have the minimum coursework to be a Certified Rangeland Manager
Key Qualifications:
• Certified Rangeland Manager license or desire to obtain the minimum coursework for a Certified Rangeland Manager within five years of hire.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a county or University vehicle.
• Extension experience and demonstrated excellence in the areas of applied research is desired.
• Coursework and experience in range management, and livestock production.
• Training and experience in interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research and collaboration is preferred.
• Familiarity with California's natural resources will be beneficial.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of remote methods of conducting outreach and delivery are a benefit.
• 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.
• A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and criminal history clearances from the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgment to comply with California law.
• 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 and must maintain such authorization through the duration of the position. Internal UC ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu .
• This is not a remote position. Candidates must be available to work in Mariposa and Merced Counties.
Additional Skills Required
• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals . Applications need to document relevant research, extension, and teaching experience and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• Substantial experience and sensitivity to cultural differences relative to working with youth and adults.
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Spanish language proficiency is desired.
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.
• Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
• 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.
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Affirmative Action
About UC ANR
UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.
About Mariposa and Merced Counties
Mariposa and Merced Counties are in Central California. Mariposa County is in the central Sierra Nevada foothills and has a population of approximately 17,000. A large proportion of the land that makes up Mariposa County lies within Yosemite National Park. Merced County, with a population of 300,000, is located directly west of Mariposa County, in the heart of the Central Valley.
Mariposa County's main industries include tourism associated with Yosemite National Park as wells as other outdoor recreation in the area. Cattle ranching is the cornerstone of the county's agricultural economy. In addition, wine grape production is primarily located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is characterized by highly regarded smaller scale and boutique vineyards.
Merced County is located in the Central Valley very close to the center of the state. Agriculture is the number one industry and the county's largest employer, with an agricultural production value of over $4 billion. Production agriculture employs a fifth of the county's residents. When you include food processing, agriculture employs about a third of the workforce. Dollar-wise, Merced County is the fifth most important agricultural county in the state and the nation. Because of Merced County's Mediterranean climate, productive soils and water distribution system, farmers produce over 110 different agricultural products on the approximately 1.1 million acres of farm and rangeland in the county. The county is one of the top five producers of milk/cream, cheese, sweet potatoes, figs, cantaloupe, fresh market tomatoes, honey, almonds, cotton, sugar beets, eggs/chickens, turkeys, cattle/calves, pasture, silage, corn, honey and hay.
The University of California's newest campus, UC Merced, opened in 2005 with a mission to provide innovative, interdisciplinary research and living laboratories in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. Currently there are approximately 10,000 students, 60 undergraduate programs and 18 graduate programs at UC Merced.
Learn more about
• UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement
• UC ANR administers Statewide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems that engage ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams
• UC ANR Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
• UC ANR uses seven Public Value Statements to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public.
• UC ANR academics are expected to share and exhibit UC ANR's commitment to UCANR's Civil Rights Compliance Policy .
• UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR's Principles of Community . We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.
Salary & Benefits
Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($105,200). Step placement in the advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of C