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UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Food Safety, Drones, and Spectral Analysis Located at the University of California, Santa Cruz (25-38)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Details
Posted: 18-Feb-26
Location: Watsonville, California
Type: Full-time
Categories:
Academic/Faculty
Agricultural Sciences
Internal Number: 6933200
UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Food Safety, Drones, and Spectral Analysis Located at the University of California, Santa Cruz (25-38)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Application Window
Open date: December 15, 2025
Most recent review date: Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Wednesday, Apr 29, 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
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), in collaboration with the University of California, Santa Cruz, invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist at the Assistant rank.
Food safety is a major priority for California agriculture, especially in the fresh produce industry. This position will address the evolving food safety challenges in specialty crop production, bringing needed scientific and technical expertise to the field, with a focus on the intersection between food safety and organic/regenerative farming practices. The Specialist will examine the potential of agricultural technologies, such as drones, spectral analysis, and sensors, to help California growers ensure the safety of their harvest while using organic and regenerative practices.
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists develop and conduct research and educational programs aimed at appropriate clientele groups in communities outside of UC campuses. UCCE Specialists have programs primarily focused on mission-oriented research or creative work that support the university's efforts to extend knowledge, including outreach and community engagement. Mission-oriented research describes the complete research continuum that extends from basic research to applications of research results. This research is generally applied in nature and has, as a goal, finding solutions for problems facing society related to the mission of the UCCE Specialist's discipline and the UCCE mission. UCCE Specialists publish the results of applied research in a combination of peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder-facing materials, including refereed journals, technical reports, and white papers, tailored to the needs of the audiences their programs serve.
Extension programs disseminate knowledge and information to clientele groups to help them better understand and address problems and opportunities they face. The extension educational program serves the University's public service mission. Educational program activities include but are not limited to collaborations with UCCE Advisors, other UCCE Specialists, campus faculty, program teams, workgroups, or clientele groups; developing and presenting educational materials; communicating to clientele through broadcast, print, or electronic media; participating in meetings with clientele; developing and delivering in-service training courses; organizing or participating in workshops, field tours, symposia or conferences. Much of this work is conducted in partnership with UC ANR's locally based UCCE Advisors. The UCCE Specialist-Advisor and faculty partnership creates an applied research network that benefits both the University and the public at large. This position does not include formal classroom instruction at the University.
Location Headquarters
The Specialist will be part of the University of California, Santa Cruz Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The position will be based primarily at the Westside Research Park, near the UCSC main campus, managed by the Baskin School of Engineering, with secondary office space and presence required at the Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology Center (MBEST), in the emerging food safety nexus of Monterey County.
Position Details
While the Food Safety Modernization Act dictates federal mandates for food safety regulation, wholesalers and buyers drive current compliance practices with more stringent standards enforced via third-party regulators. This de facto enforcement landscape, with proprietary third-party metrics, is obscure and does not necessarily utilize science-based assessment of food safety outcomes. Moreover, increasing pressures for organic/regenerative farm practices (e.g., compost, hedgerows for biodiversity, conservation setbacks, reduced chemical applications), driven by consumers and produce buyers, are often at odds with food safety risk reduction best practices. Food safety concerns include issues such as E. coli and other bacterial contaminants from animal and bird waste deposited on or around crops, relationships between natural habitats on farms and bacterial pathogens, use or misuse of chemical pesticides, and impacts on worker and community health. As technological innovations advance, there is a need to apply novel technologies to these and other pressing food safety challenges. This Specialist will examine and exploit the potential of agricultural technologies to address food safety.
Primary duties and responsibilities for this Specialist include:
o Novel approaches to assessing runoff and water contamination using landscape-level assessments across multiple sources (rangeland/pasture, urban, etc.)
o New technologies for assessing food safety risk (multispectral imaging, AI) through field scouting (aerial and terrestrial drones) for vector identification and crop characteristics
o Research on the impact of amendments on food safety outcomes
o Research on the effects of conservation practices (soil amendments, compost, hedgerows, wetlands, conservation habitat) on food safety outcomes across different cropping systems and climatic regions
o Legislative recommendations for drone safety, piloting, and licensing in the agricultural context
o Novel approaches to drone applications (spraying, biological payload delivery, imaging) and effectiveness based on scale and frequency
o Integration of environmental sensors with drone applications for real-time adaptation based on site data
o Implications of transitioning to drone spray applications from large aerial vehicles for regulations on drift, overspray, buffers, and community health impacts
Geographic Area of Responsibility
This state-wide position will serve the agriculture sector across California, helping farmers, growers, and ranchers move towards more organic/regenerative and high-tech agriculture. This is an exciting opportunity to impact diverse communities throughout the state.
Reporting Relationship:
The position will be academically positioned within the UC Santa Cruz Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The appointment is within UC ANR, and UC ANR will oversee the merit and promotion process, consistent with other UC ANR CE Specialists, in consultation with the UCSC Department Chair. The CE specialist will also hold an additional 0% (uncompensated) CE Specialist appointment at UCSC. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the UCSC campus and MBEST.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Education: A minimum of a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, agricultural engineering, computer engineering, or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Applicants who have not yet earned a Ph.D. must be within 12 months of completing their degree to be considered for the position.
Key Qualifications
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
Skills Required
To be successful, UCCE Specialist positions require skills in the following:
Technical competence
Communication
Collaboration & Teamwork
Lifelong Learning
Salary & Benefits
Salary: The beginning salary will be in the Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist Rank Step 1- $90,600 to Step 6 - $118,500 annually. Step placement in this series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding the Cooperative Extension Specialist series salary scales, please refer to https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/policy-covered-july-2025-scales/t29.pdf.
This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315 [https://ucanrpolicy.ellucid.com/pman/documents/view/122/active/] If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Specialist with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain such indefinite status.
The Cooperative Extension Specialist position is a two-year renewable term appointment. Performance in this position is evaluated annually, with merit actions being evaluated every two years. Upon completing a successful review, you may be reappointed for another definite term. Our intention with this definite term appointment is to be reappointed based on positive performance reviews and the continuing need for the position.
Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits, including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges per the terms of University policy. ANR is part of UC's Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/
About UC ANR
UC ANR is a division of the University of California 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 the University of California Santa Cruz
UCSC, one of the UC system's ten campuses, opened in 1965. It is known for impactful research, teaching, and public service, as well as innovation across many fields. Located in and around a redwood forest overlooking the Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at UC Santa Cruz aims to achieve engineering discoveries that benefit humankind through a combination of curiosity, open-mindedness, and inclusiveness. UCSC is also home to the Center for Agroecology, which advances agroecology and equitable food systems through experiential education, participatory research, agricultural extension, and public service. Its centerpieces are the 3-acre Alan Chadwick Garden and the 30-acre USCS Farm, which serve as outdoor classrooms and teaching sites. UCSC hosts a new AgTech Alliance focused on developing socially responsible technology for a sustainable future, as well as the CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER), which offers educational training and research support for the development and use of drone technology across all academic disciplines and many industry sectors.
Learn more about
How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose 'applicants' (refer to position #25-38). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.
Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by February 10, 2026 (open until filled).
Questions?
Contact Tatiana Avoce at tavoce@ucanr.edu
University of California Cooperative Extension
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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) are strictly prohibited.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research and Extension - Statement of Research and Extension
Please submit a 2-page Statement of Research and Extension Interests including how your current and/or past research and extension experience could contribute to, or be applicable to, the needs of the local community. Provide examples of potential goals and outcomes from your research and extension activities.
References - Please provide three references (names, titles and contact information).
Transcripts - College Level Transcripts
Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify course work completed, grades earned, degrees conferred and confer dates. Please DO NOT send transcripts that are password protected.
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Three names, titles and contact information.
About UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
Job location
UCSC, CA
To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/JPF00368
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About University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) consists of a network of scientists and educators working in partnership across the California. We are committed to developing and supporting healthy food systems, healthy environments, healthy communities, and healthy Californians. UC ANR administers UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), which is responsible for program development and delivery in the counties throughout the state of California.
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