The Western IPM Center, based in the University of California at Davis, has an opening for a new director. The Center recently received news of USDA funding for the next four years.

The Director is responsible for day-to-day leadership and management of the Western IPM Center, which is one of four USDA-funded regional IPM centers established advance integrated pest management. The Western Region comprises 13 western states and the Pacific Island territories, and is headquartered on the University of California, Davis campus.

The Director works with stakeholders that represent a broad range of IPM interests to assess IPM needs and identify priorities.  He/she develops strategies and implements competitive and noncompetitive programs that will meet the identified priorities. The Director collaborates with IPM-related state, regional, and national universities, agencies, and organizations and facilitates collaborative teams to accomplish Center goals.  The Director is also responsible for communicating Center activities and successes in many forums.

The Director administers USDA contracts (about $1.5 million annually), manages budget, financial, personnel, and programmatic operations of the Center, and supervises a small staff.

Qualifications include a master’s or PhD degree in a field closely related to pest management, knowledge of integrated pest management principles and practices, and knowledge of diverse pest issues; experience leading or managing a program, and obtaining and managing competitive grants; communications skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners, facilitate collaborations, promote the program, and supervise staff; organizational skills.  Preferred qualifications include knowledge of the diverse agriculture in the West, experience with federal grant sources, and experience conducting research and extension programs.

The position description, including qualifications, has not been finalized but the position is expected to be classified as an Academic Coordinator III.  See http://www.ucop.edu/acadpersonnel/apm/apm-375.pdf and http://www.ucop.edu/acadpersonnel/1112/table36iii.pdf for information about this title.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kassim Al-Khatib, UC Statewide IPM Program, kalkhatib@ucdavis.edu, (530) 752-8350.