UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Food Safety, Drones, and Spectral Analysis

UC Cooperative Extension Specialist -
Food Safety, Drones, and Spectral Analysis

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.

For full description, please follow

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.

The Specialist will be part of the University of California, Santa Cruz Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The position will be based in Santa Cruz, California.

Primary duties and responsibilities for this Specialist include:

• Collaborating extensively with UCSC faculty, as well as UC ANR's network of advisors, specialists, AES faculty, statewide programs, program teams, and institutes. Additional potential collaborators include other UC campuses, the California State University Monterey Bay, Hartnell College, Cabrillo Community College, other academic institutions, community partners, government agencies, and industry partners.
• Designing and conducting applied research focused on the intersection of food safety and technology. Potential areas of research include:
  • Novel approaches to assessing runoff and water contamination using landscape-level assessments across multiple sources (rangeland/pasture, urban, etc.)
  • New technologies for assessing food safety risk (multispectral imaging, AI) through field scouting (aerial and terrestrial drones) for vector identification and crop characteristics
  • Research on the impact of amendments on food safety outcomes
  • 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
  • Legislative recommendations for drone safety, piloting, and licensing in the agricultural context
  • Novel approaches to drone applications (spraying, biological payload delivery, imaging) and effectiveness based on scale and frequency
  • Integration of environmental sensors with drone applications for real-time adaptation based on site data
  • Implications of transitioning to drone spray applications from large aerial vehicles for regulations on drift, overspray, buffers, and community health impacts
• Building an effective extension education program (statewide trainings, workshops, educational resources, website, etc.) that helps partners and clientele implement technology strategies to improve food safety outcomes. The Specialist will serve as a resource for UCCE Advisors, county agricultural commissioners, pest control associations, government scientists, and regulatory personnel. Additionally, the Specialist will have significant engagement with youth training and workforce development, informing the practices and skills needed to train the next generation of agricultural workers with high-tech skills.
• Publishing findings in accessible formats, including peer-reviewed journals, ANR outlets, industry publications, and relevant online platforms, to widen the reach and impact of research outcomes.
• Participating in professional society activities and scholarly contributions, attaining goals of state, national, and international recognition over time.

Qualifications and Skills Required
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.

• Demonstrated expertise in technologies that can be applied in agriculture, such as drones
• Substantive experience in one or more areas related to the position, such as organic and regenerative agriculture, food safety, and technology
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly to non-scientific and public audiences
• Demonstrated record of productivity in research as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• A track record of effectively engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Experience in leading collaborative research teams
• 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 are required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a 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.

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.
This position is eligible for indefinite status, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315

Learn more about

• UC ANR and UC ANR Mission Statement
• UC ANR administers State-Wide Programs and Institutes that focus research and extension on solving priority problems, involving ANR academics and UC faculty in integrated teams.
• UC ANR Program Areas and Program Teams help unify, communicate, and advocate for our work.
• UC ANR uses 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 UC ANR's Civil Rights Compliance Policy .
• UC ANR is committed to supporting inclusive excellence and is guided by UC ANR Principles of Community . We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of background, feel valued and respected and have equal opportunities for growth and success.

If interested in this position, please visit: 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 March 3, 2026 (open until filled).

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