Job Details

Staff Research Associate 2 Non-Exempt - Irvine, CA, Job ID 74113
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Job Description
The Staff Research Associate II (SRA II) will assist the Cooperative Extension Advisors (Advisors) with research and education in nurseries and greenhouse production in California, focusing on irrigation and water quality management, pest management, disease management, fertilization management and other topics. The projects' audience is composed of predominantly Hispanic population and Spanish language skills are important.
Under supervision, incumbents perform a wide variety of standard repetitive laboratory and/or field experimental procedures at the full operational or journey level of skill in one field of specially; or perform a limited variety of non-standard laboratory and/or field experimental procedures requiring ingenuity, resourcefulness, and adaptability to special and changing needs of research in one specialized field.
Incumbent will perform a wide variety of standard procedures without detailed technical supervision, in horticulture. They may also modify, vary or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of research projects, or improve tests that are unsatisfactory, and after studying available literature, analyze and alter conditions under which determinations are made.
The position is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week, but flexibility is required according to travel schedule and seasonal work schedule. Occasionally it may be required to work during the weekend or on holidays. The position requires frequent travel to nursery and greenhouse operations in southern California and infrequent but regular travel to Central Valley, Ventura/Santa Barbara, Watsonville/Salinas/Gilroy, Sacramento. The expected frequency of travel for data collection and organizing trainings is 2 days per week.
This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed, with grant funding available through 10/01/2026.
Pay Scale: $28.88/hour to $36.62/hour
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/15/2024.
Key Responsibilities:
10%
Reporting and Writing

• Summarize research findings for use in articles (popular press, newsletter and journal) using MS Office suite programs and statistical programs.
• Assist in preparation of grant proposals and in summarizing literature and data needed for funding group reports and assist in writing publications and peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
• Prepare graphical summaries, using Microsoft Excel, that will be used to demonstrate the discovered data in publications.
• Review studies, literature, attend workshops, seminars, training.
• Prepare travel reports in accordance with University policies.

15%
Data Preparation

• Collect data and prepare initial reports. Modify, vary or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of the research project.
• Convert raw data into testable value; conduct basic statistical analysis. Ensure that there is the necessary information to evaluate each trial.
• Generate summary and overview reports of program activities as needed. This includes educational event and field demonstration evaluations and monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting as needed.
• Manage survey data from training events.

40%
Outreach

• Coordinate and collaborate with federal, state, county, and local agencies and community-based organizations on the delivery of programs to support program functional area.
• Produce educational videos which may include filming and editing
• Delivers trainings, with guidance and oversight from the Advisors, on the topic of irrigation and water management in English and Spanish for California nursery irrigators and production managers
• Organizes all aspect of trainings including booking travel and coordinating with cooperators.

35%
Field Work/Research

• In consultation with the supervisor, plan and assist in coordination of project experiments. Ensure that sufficient materials are available to provide required safety training and documentation to assure safe work environment.
• Under direction of the Advisors, set up experiments and collect data at various nurseries throughout Southern California regarding irrigation and pest management

Requirements:

• Demonstrated scientific/research experience or formal education in horticulture, agriculture, or related field.
• Experience with research and/or teaching, training, or workshops.
• Experience with scientific field studies including data collection, data management and data entry.
• Scientific knowledge and skill to make technical determinations and/or observations.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations in conjunction with Advisor coaching and guidance.
• Ability to set up scientific experiments and collect data with Advisor supervision.
• Knowledge of the principles of horticulture, which may include: irrigation and water quality, pest, disease, and fertilization management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and outreach to community partners.
• Demonstrated experience with computers, software, and social media for the development and delivery of newsletters, presentations, and other educational materials. Experience using Microsoft Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking, reading, and writing.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with data compilation in order to produce reports.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to work a flexible work schedule including early mornings, evenings, and weekends and holidays as needed to meet project needs.
• Travel, including travel outside of normal business hours may be requested.
• 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.
• 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.

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