Recruit

NATURE AND PURPOSE
This position will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including data collection, data QA/QC, data entry, data synthesis, and analysis. The position has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical and specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment) in the planning and execution of research activities within applied research projects. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Junior Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, and supply input into the planning of research and outreach programs. The Junior Specialist's main tasks and responsibilities are outlined below.
The junior specialist rank is an entry-level position; accordingly, it is inappropriate to hire applicants with advanced degrees in this field or those with bachelor’s degrees and three years’ relevant work experience. Therefore, consideration will be given to applicants with bachelor’s degrees with less than 1-2 years of relevant work experience (See APM-UCD 330).

POSITION DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Research (90%)

The Junior Specialist will be involved in a research project focusing on soil potassium availability in almond orchards in the Central Valley of California.

The Junior Specialist will collect soil samples from almond orchards located in the Central Valley and analyze these samples in the laboratory. Laboratory analyses will include a wide range of analytical methods to characterize the soil and the soil potassium pools. In addition, the Junior Specialist will conduct pot trials to determine plant-available potassium in different soils. The Junior Specialist will enter the data into spreadsheets and perform quality control assessments and basic analyses of the data. Training on all procedures and methods used will be provided. The results of this project will support almond growers making potassium fertilization decisions.

The Junior Specialist will also support an assistant specialist and graduate students working in the nutrient management lab group. Activities of the Junior Specialist will include collecting soil and plant samples in commercial fields, processing the samples in the laboratory, analyzing them using a variety of analytical methods, and conducting laboratory incubations to determine the availability of nitrogen from different cover crops, manures and organic amendments.

The Junior Specialist will contribute to the review of reports and scientific manuscripts written by the PI prior to submission, help write sections that they worked on, such as field data collection and laboratory methods, and will engage in discussions on the interpretation of results. The Junior Specialist will present results of the projects at lab meetings.

The ultimate goal of the research done by the nutrient management lab group is to provide growers and crop consultants with science-based data on crop nutrient availability to help meet regulatory requirements and to support fertilization decisions.

II. Professional Competence (5%)
The Junior Specialist will be encouraged to attend seminars at the university, local scientific conferences, as well as local University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) meetings with a focus on topics relevant to the projects.

III. University and Public Service (5%)
The Junior Specialist will provide mentorship for undergraduate students working in the laboratory.

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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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 for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.
UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

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.