Job Description
Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor (AP25-37)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Application Window
Open date: December 15, 2025
Next review date: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Mar 6, 2026 at 11:59pm (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.
Position description
Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties.
The Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on production issues for forage crops in California's Northern San Joaquin Valley. The emphasis will be on nutrient management in cropping systems linked to animal agriculture and fertilizer use, as well as on irrigation management and water quality issues. Expected impacts are optimized agronomic practices that maximize profitability while improving water and nutrient use efficiency, protecting water and air resources, and building climate resilience through identification and promotion of best agricultural practices. Forage crop production innovations present promising solutions for conserving soil and water resources and managing manure nutrients, which affect groundwater and air quality, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Improved stewardship of nitrogen from manures and fertilizers in forage production is necessary to sustain California's important dairy industry and to protect soil, air, and water resources for all Californians.
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, popular press articles, 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.
Location Headquarters: This position will be based at the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Stanislaus County, located at 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, California 95358.
Position Details
In the three-county region served by this Advisor, forage crops account for $900 million in revenue from 570,000 harvested acres, supporting $3.8 billion in milk and cattle revenue, higher-paying year-round employment, and the economic viability of many disadvantaged communities. Milk is a top agricultural commodity in the three counties, accounting for 36% of the state's dairy production. The dairy industry relies on a wide mix of locally grown forage crops that thrive in the Central Valley, including corn, small grain cereals, alfalfa, sorghum, and Sudan grass. Given the economic importance of the dairy industry and the crops that support it, there is a pressing need to conduct research and extend knowledge on forage crop production in Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.
Research is expected to focus on crop production issues for livestock feed, emphasizing animal agriculture and fertilizer use, nutrient management issues, irrigation management, and water quality. Research topics for this may include: Nitrogen and salt management Improved production practices (cultural, crop variety, pest management, fertility, irrigation, and economics) Use of nitrification inhibitors GIS systems for controlling site-specific fertilizer and pest applications Conservation tillage Role of nitrogen-fixing legumes in cropping systems Best practices to manage organic nitrogen to mitigate nitrogen contamination issues Decision-making tools development Alternate manure management practices that maximize nutrient use in cropping systems while being climate neutral and protecting groundwater
Research programs will be developed and carried out in collaboration with UC ANR academics and appropriate statewide efforts, including UC ANR Program Teams and Workgroups, local stakeholders, and collaborating agencies and industries in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties. The Advisor is expected to partner with other Cooperative Extension (CE) and Agricultural Extension Stations (AES) researchers and educators to conduct research and education programs that address the issues within nutrient management and forage systems. The location of this position allows for collaboration with researchers at UC Merced and enables interaction with climate-smart agricultural educators on California Department of Food and Agriculture Projects (e.g., SWEEP, AMMP, and Healthy Soils).
Science-based research results and other educational information will be disseminated through a variety of methods responsive to the needs of clientele. These might include individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations, UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, newsletters, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, and an appropriate mix of contemporary and emerging electronic tools (such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools), along with specialized and public media outlets.
Key clientele will include producers of forage crops, dairy farmers, crop consultants, allied industry professionals, and non-profit environmental groups.
Counties of Responsibility. This position will serve Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties.
Reporting Relationship: In this appointment, the Advisor will report directly to the UC Cooperative Extension Director for Stanislaus County, with input from the Directors of UC Cooperative Extension for Merced and San Joaquin Counties. This is not a remote position; the advisor must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in the other assigned counties. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined by the respective supervisors upon hire.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: At the time of appointment, a minimum of a master's degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, water management, crop production, plant nutrition, or a related field is required.
Key Qualifications Expertise needed to address nutrient management issues, especially linked to the California dairy-forage production system Ability to develop and integrate all aspects of crop production to promote sustainability, profitability, and environmental stewardship 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 per the UC Academic Personnel Manuals . Applications need to document research, extension, and/or teaching experience applicable to the academic title and document appropriate scholarly achievements relevant to this position. 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 Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension. Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Collaboration . click apply for full job details