Job description

The Vice President of Research serves as the science advisor for the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) and chief extension agent through a team of employees, collaborators, and experts to provide world-class research and extension to all California strawberry farmers.

The VP of Research is responsible for creating a collaborative environment that encourages and welcomes public and private scientists, experts, and innovators to conduct strawberry production research. This includes cultivating key partnerships with the UC Strawberry Breeding Program, Cal Poly Strawberry Center, USDA ARS, and UC Cooperative Extension, in addition to management of a CSC grant program, leveraging state and federal grant programs, and collaborating with privately funded research initiatives.

The VP of Research plays a key role in understanding the pulse of California strawberry farming, creating a shared understanding of regional production trends, and identifying industry priorities to guide all research collaborators and internal CSC programs. This requires the ability to engage with farmers and work through the Board of Directors’ Research Committee.

The VP of Research manages a $5 million budget and 14 employees working on field research, automation engineering, and extension. The individual works closely with the Director of the Strawberry Center and leads the Director of Grower Education, the Director of Automation Engineering, and the Production Research Manager to identify applied research and educational needs for the California strawberry industry and programs to address those needs.

The VP of Research will have the technical skills necessary to execute field-based projects including design, set up, managing staff, and translating research results into management practices and/or training programs for growers and their employees. The individual must also have excellent communication skills that will be used to extend research results to growers and researchers through presentations at industry and research meetings, in written summaries to the industry and granting agencies and in delivering training for the education program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead the Commission in the continuing development and delivery of issue driven production research and grower education programs.
• Lead and coordinate the Commission’s collaborative efforts with University of California and USDA researchers and the Cal Poly Strawberry Center.
• Lead the Commission in identifying long term strategic goals for the production research program and in developing a strategy to achieve them.

Management

• Coordinate the efforts of the field research, grower education and automation teams.
• Develop and maintain education programs that address the production issues of the California strawberry industry.
• Support the work of the CSC Research Committee.
• Manage the creation and implementation of the research department annual budget
• Manage the annual research grant program including the solicitation, review, funding, and result reporting of funded projects.

Communication

• Prepare reports/updates on production research for the California strawberry industry.
• Present research updates at grower and research meetings and with regulators.
• Work directly with growers, shippers and processors to identify production issues and recommend management solutions.
• Support the VPs of Marketing and Public Policy and the President with analysis of technical information relevant to issues and crises affecting the strawberry industry.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. is required in a field relevant to agricultural production and production research.
• At least three years of extension experience in agricultural production/research or other relevant experience.
• At least five years of applied research experience in agricultural production.
• Experience leading a research program and managing research program personnel.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Enjoy working in the field and interacting with growers and industry representatives.
• Excellent analytical skills in evaluation of research and interpretation of results.
• Valid California Driver’s License and be able to travel (by car and airplane) extensively within California to the strawberry production regions to manage research projects and attend grower meetings.
• Must be willing to work in person from either the CSC Main Office in Watsonville or Regional Office in Santa Maria, CA and reside in the region.
• Bilingual, biliterate in Spanish is desired. (CSC is exempt from the H2B cap)

Reasoning and Key Abilities

1. Apply common sense understanding when implementing instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

2. Solve problems and make essential decisions regarding standard workplace issues.

3. Demonstrate flexibility and multi-tasking capabilities in a fast-paced work environment.

4. Think creatively and provide input to CSC initiatives.

5. Excellent organizational skills.

6. Excellent reading and writing skills required for internal and external correspondence.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in MS programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. The ability to prepare reports and presentations for internal and external use. Possess a willingness to learn additional skills as assigned.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires tact, judgment, empathy, organizational skills, energy, and the ability to deal with a wide range of personalities and people from varied socio-economic backgrounds. Must be adaptable and able to perform professionally when under temporary stress and when encountering others under stress.

Physical Demands:

This position requires the ability to perform essential in-person activities, with the appropriate safeguards, including a vaccination(s) in accordance with Title VI, the ADA, EEOC guidance and FEHA.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work in an office environment, in a farm environment, and ability to travel.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The California Strawberry Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment) against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), domestic violence, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. We will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination or harassment by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and all areas of employment including, but not limited to hiring, recruitment, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and training. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled applicants and employees as well as pregnant employees upon request.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $150,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Watsonville, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Experience:

• Research: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: One location

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